Auchtermuchty Community Centre annual report 2013 2014

Auchtermuchty Community Centre Annual Report 2013/2014

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CONTENTS

CHAIRPERSON’S FOREWORD 3

TREASURER'S REPORT 4

FUNDRAISING & COMMUNITY EVENTS 5

2000 CLUB 6

COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKER'S REPORT 7

AFFILIATED GROUPS 9

CENTRE ACTIVITIES 11

CENTRE LETS 12

CENTRE OFFICE & SERVICES 15

WHAT'S ON 16

WHO'S WHO? 17


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CHAIRPERSON’S FOREWORD

This has been a busy year with lots of ups and downs - thankfully nothing too

drastic and we have managed to get through it!

This has been our first full year since we cut back staff hours and at times it has

been difficult. A big thank-you must go to the staff, Gail and Jackie, for all

their hard work in keeping the Centre running smoothly.

The foyer has been painted, the new notice boards fitted and it looks much

lighter. We have two projects for the coming year to upgrade and paint the

ladies’ toilet and make some improvements in the sports hall.

Fundraising is still a big problem and we really need volunteers to help out. We

desperately need new Management Committee members – young blood with

fresh ideas (to let all us “oldies” retire!) It does not take up a lot of your time

with meetings every 6 weeks or so and to help out at fundraising events. We

would also encourage the groups who use the Centre to send a representative

to the meetings so that we can all help each other.

The Café once again has a new franchisee and we wish Aggie all the best with

her venture.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Dave Manderson, our Fife

Council Link Officer for all the advice and guidance given to the Management

Committee. Dave has been a great support to me throughout the last year.

Lastly, just a thought but it will be 25 years on December 8th since the Centre

opened its doors for the first time. We have seen a lot of changes but we are

still here so please come and support the Centre and hopefully we can keep it

open for another 25.

Nettie Campbell


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TREASURER’S REPORT 2013-2014 The finances of this Community Centre continue to be a mixed bag. Yet again the grant from Fife Council was cut and they also took away our rates relief, meaning we had to find an extra £700 at short notice. Fortunately, our energy costs have fallen. We were also given extra grant aid to run some very popular summer activities for families. As ever, fundraising activities disappoint me. The yield from them is well below what I would like to see. It is vital that the people of Auchtermuchty support their Community Centre if they want to keep it. I don’t mean this just for you to put your hands deeper in your pockets. Please help us out. Do you have any ideas for fundraising events? Would you be willing to help run any events? We need your input! My task would be greater if I did not have the support of our clerical staff. I was worried when we lost Viv during the year but I am pleased say that Jackie has proved herself to be an excellent alternative. My eternal thanks to you both.

David R Mole BSc[StA] CBiol MSB FSAScot PGCE

Hon. Treasurer INCOME 2013-2014 £33,364.46


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EXPENDITURE 2013-2014 £32,610.19

FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNITY EVENTS In August 2013, the Community Centre organised the St. Serf’s Street Market during the Festival and will be doing so again this summer. The Centre Café held a 1970’s fancy dress disco which raised money for the Centre and following the success of past Mind, Body & Soul evenings, we held another one in September.

In October we ran two children’s Halloween parties and then a Christmas Craft Fair in November. We then held a Xmas Prize Draw in December where many local businesses donated prizes. This year we held our first “Health and Well-being Open Day” in March and a Family Fun Day in April, both of which were well attended and we are grateful for the Fife Council staff who helped out on both days.


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In May we held an Outdoor Market in The Cross with a successful coffee morning in the Upper Town Hall. This gives local community groups an opportunity to raise funds for their own activities as well. The Centre Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank those who continue to support the Community Centre by attending the fundraising events, and also to those who choose to give up their free time to help us organise such events. 2000 CLUB Thanks to everyone who has supported the club – we have had another

successful year. We are always looking for new members as the more people

who take part, the larger the prize money. The draw is made on the first

Tuesday of each month. 50% is divided equally between three prize winners

with the other 50% put back in the funds. For only £1 per month, you could

share in the prizes. It is easy to join just call into the Centre office and you can

pay cash £12 for a year or set up a standing order with your bank.

This year, as well as the normal December draw, we are having a special draw for

Christmas so one lucky member will win £50. To be in the lucky draw, you

must become a member before the 1st of September 2014 and all existing

members will automatically be entered into the draw.

So please join us and good luck to everyone!

Pat Smeaton & Nettie Campbell


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COMMUNITY EDUCATION WORKER’S REPORT

I am writing this report in my sixth year as Community

Education Worker and Link Officer to Auchtermuchty

Community Centre Management Committee.

I would like to start my report by acknowledging the

time, effort and commitment, committee members give on a completely

voluntary basis. I feel it is really important that the community of

Auchtermuchty and wider environs recognise the role management

committee members play in managing and developing the centre in line with

local community needs.

I would also like to pay tribute to the staff who ensure the centre operations

run smoothly on a daily basis. The staff often go that bit further in their daily

roles, taking time with each and every member of the community who come

through the front door and supporting each user group who use the Centre.

My sincere thanks to Gail (Caretaker/Cleaner) and Jackie (Admin Officer) for

all your hard work and effort over the past year.

Funding:

The Community Centre operates under a Service Level Agreement with Fife

Council that includes a recurring grant. The grant is used to cover

approximately 50% of the running costs of the centre. This leaves another 50%

that the voluntary Management Committee require to continuously raise

through Centre lets, fundraising and external funding applications. The Centre

Committee more than ever require the support of community groups and the

wider community to develop an active and effective fundraising strategy to

continue meeting local communities’ needs for services delivered locally in the

Community Centre.

The Past Year:

The committee have worked in partnership with various Fife Council services,

elected members, user groups, wider community groups and voluntary

organisations to:

Establish an I.T. Room enabling local people to access internet and I.T.

services and has run informal computer classes with a volunteer tutor

which proves popular with participants across the wider Howe area.


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Entered a new Café Franchise agreement with Agata Swiatek, a local

woman from Auchtermuchty, who is creating a vibrant café, very much

welcomed by user groups and the Auchtermuchty community.

Planned, organised and deliver fun family learning days, particularly

during school holiday periods, which proved very popular.

Reviewed and amended staff contracts to ensure more effective working

practices.

Encouraged new user groups into the centre which have had a positive

impact on the wider community.

Refurbished the main reception area, main office, pram park and the

G.P. room to ensure the Centre has a warm and welcoming feel to all

users of the Centre.

The Future:

As mentioned earlier in my report, the recurring grant only covers a partial

amount of running costs and with the economic climate we find ourselves in,

the funding situation remains a challenge for the Centre’s Management

Committee. The Committee is now actively developing new partnerships with

wider community groups and centre user groups, in particular making closer

links with Auchtermuchty Community Trust, who are in the process of

finalising a feasibility study and options appraisal of halls and centres in

Auchtermuchty.

I feel this is the way forward, not only for this voluntary Management

Committee, but wider community groups in Auchtermuchty. Fife Council and

partner agencies will be carrying out a review of voluntary sector support in the

near future and this review will impact on future support to voluntary

organisations and community groups right across Fife.

It is crucial that voluntary organisations and community groups across

Auchtermuchty and the wider Howe area work in partnership to ensure there

are strong and effective community organisations and groups continue

delivering services for and with the Auchtermuchty Community.

I would be happy to work with all community groups to support this crucial

partnership work.

Dave Manderson, Community Education Worker & Link Officer

June 2014


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AFFILIATED GROUPS

There have been a few changes in Committee members at the Muchty Monkeys. Louise Ness stepped down as Chair. Julie Duncan is the new Chairperson, Andrea Habeshaw takes over from Megan Coull as Secretary, but we are still looking for a new Treasurer. The new committee’s first action has been to up the fees from £4 to £5 a session. We decided to put the fees up after consulting with parents and finding that they would rather pay this than do lots of small fundraisers. They haven’t gone up in at least six years. The fees pays for crafts, fun, snack, fruit and milk. Where else would you get all of this for £2.50 per hour? We will still do some larger fund raising including our annual Newburgh Coffee Morning . This year it’s on October 4th. It’s usually at the start of the year but we couldn’t get a booking at the popular village hall any earlier. Other fundraising activities we have planned include a Sponsored Welly Walk, in the Autumn Term, Santa’s Grotto in the Winter and a Toy Sale in November. We have also started to apply for some grants and in addition we were very lucky in March to receive a donation from one of last year’s Monkeys, whose Grandad’s firm nominated us to get funds of £370.

Auchtermuchty Baby and Toddler Group We’ve had a really successful year with both days becoming busier. It’s lovely to see so many happy faces, old and new! We had our annual trip to a play area in Edinburgh and as always, this trip was thoroughly enjoyed by all (even the adults!). With the money we were granted last year, we bought new chairs and toys for the little members. We had our first Annual General Meeting this year and asked parents to complete a questionnaire. Our Chairperson is Fiona Colligan, Secretary is Lesley Carstairs and Treasurer is Laura McNaughton. We would like to thank all the staff at the Community Centre for all their help over the past year.

Muchty Monkeys Pre-Nursery Club


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The club is running at full capacity at present on both days and we have a waiting list. We will not have any spaces available until after the summer holidays. Application forms are available in the Monkey’s room and Centre office. The Monkeys enjoyed a trip to fire station last term and had a fun Easter Egg Hunt in April, near Jimmy Shand’s statue. We have a trip to the library to look forward to and our annual Sports Day in June. Theatre Group & Pantomime Under the supervision of one of our members the theatre skills workshops continued to develop. This inclusive group was instrumental in making props, costumes and scenery for all of our productions this year. We are currently in a co-operative with other groups in Auchtermuchty to utilise volunteers to their full potential and this should increase the range of activities within the workshops In May we produced three one act plays. These included a performance from our younger members who produced a detective story and included members from age 9 to 16. It is hoped that we can build on the success of this and promote drama for younger people in our community. One of the other two plays was a comedy set in the Highlands which was met with a great reception from the audience. This short story was a vehicle for our mature actors to hone their comedy performances. The final play was our entry to the SCDA one act play competition which was held in February. This gripping and historic dramatic piece was performed to allow the community a chance to see what their group had entered. Our flag ship performance each year is our pantomime which was Jack and the Beanstalk. This pantomime was a great hit with our patrons owing to the skill of our production team and actors. The pantomime is a staple of Auchtermuchty life and we are pleased that so many people were able to enjoy watching it as we enjoyed producing it. It allows younger actors the chance to perform speaking roles which may not be available to them in dramatic productions and we pride ourselves on being open to everyone who wishes to take part. We have recently upgraded our lighting equipment and are now able to apply more effects to our productions and are also custodians of a major piece of sound equipment which we manage on behalf of the community.

Auchtermuchty Theatre Group


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CENTRE ACTIVITIES

Craft Group The ladies continue to meet every Friday morning and are sure to give any new members a lovely warm welcome. If you are looking for a fun morning or wish to learn or teach a new craft, please come along on Friday mornings from 10am to 12noon. Isabel Aitken

I.T. Room The Centre continues to offer members of the public the opportunity to book a time slot and use the computers to access the internet and type documents. Hire of a PC costs £1 per hour with a charge of 10p per printed sheet. As well as having the PC’s available for hire, free Wi-Fi is available to all centre users too. Local volunteer, Douglas McLeod, delivered two beginners computer classes on Wednesday mornings during the winter months. The classes cover the basics of word processing, accessing the internet and emailing which allows the participant to go off on their own and confidently browse the internet etc at home. The small, informal classes are relaxed and if you know of anyone who wants to learn about using computers or accessing the internet but is perhaps too frightened to do so, send them this way! Jewellery-making classes The Centre coordinated jewellery-making classes in 2014 and will be offering more after the summer holidays. We are grateful to Peggy Neithercut who offered her time and materials to teach this class.


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CENTRE LETS Mid-Day Lunch Club The club meets every Wednesday in the Community Centre. Members are picked up by our driver and escort and brought to the club where we have a nice chat over a cuppa. The aim of the club is to provide a stimulating, happy and safe environment which meets the needs of its members and to provide a nourishing and varied hot meal. Our activity programme is structured to encourage participation by all members and open enough to give members choices of the kind of activities and entertainment they like. We are also keen to include a few minutes per week of armchair exercises which most of our members really enjoy.

After lunch we have an hour entertainment such as slide shows, musicians, demonstrations, even cards, dominoes and bingo, sing-a-longs and lots of great fun. I promise you won’t have time to be bored at the Wednesday Lunch Club.

The club is run by a rota of volunteers. We have three outings for lunch each year, a Christmas party and every member has a birthday party with a cake. The Wednesday club has a few places just now so if you’re not in the best of health, homebound or in need of companionship, give us a ring, you’ll find a warm welcome here. Janet Robertson, Barbara McGilvray, Chairperson Secretary

Auchtermuchty Garden Club The Garden Club has again had a successful year, with good attendance at meetings, and is financially sound. Liz Douglas has now run it for 6 years and will be stepping down at the end of June 2014. Teresa Widd and Toril Imrie will be taking over at that tme; with next year’s programme already being prepared. Liz would like to thank the Community Centre for its support and venue. Also thanks to all the member for the attendance and help – without them the club would not be what it has become. Success for the future. Liz Douglas


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Muchty Quilters The Quilt Group continues to experience a full and enthusiastic membership and have decided to open a waiting list for new member as we feel, should all members turn up on any give night, space to work could be quite cramped. Please contact Margaret on 01337 827409 if you would like to be put on our waiting list. Although this year was not as busy as last, we still managed to produce many wonderful items and also enjoyed a Christmas workshop given by Dyane Smyth when much fun was had by all. As always, we had time to pay our usual visits to the quilt shows in Edinburgh. Margaret Kelly Quilt Group leader Café franchise In 2013, Diane ran the Centre Café in the Community Centre and the Centre is grateful for all the work she and her family put in to make the café a success. Aggie’s Vintage Café opened the doors to customers on the 1st of April 2014. It is the ideal place to arrange to meet friends for a cup of coffee or tea as you can always rely on the café being open, warm and welcoming. The Café is managed by Aggie, a local lady with a passion for baking. There is seating for 24 people inside, with free wi-fi access. It is popular with cycle groups and walkers and caters for groups and clubs. Aggie also supplies snacks for the Baby and Toddler Group, the Garden Club, and a two-course lunch for the Wednesday Lunch Club. Later this year, she will also be cooking for the Tuesday Lunch Club! There is a breakfast menu as well as a lunch menu with toasties, baked potatoes, homemade soups and a choice of fresh cakes every day.


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Macduff Trust

For the past year The Macduff Trust has enjoyed a period of consolidation, and enjoyed seeing the results of all the last five years hard work. The flowers on the Whitefield are showing that the conservation measures are working, much to the delight of the volunteers and Trustees. No doubt all the walkers and photographers that use the Common will have noticed the benefits. With some now very rare butterflies, in particular the Northern Brown Argus being seen, it is testament to the hard work of all involved to protect the area. Working closely with the Scottish Wildlife Trusts "Flying Flock", a flock of Shetland sheep that are moved around (in a trailer) from reserve to reserve, is being carefully managed and involves many volunteers who check the sheep on a daily basis. There are currently 29 sheep with lambs doing a good job of grazing the scrub, all under the expert guidance of Scottish Natural Heritage and other professional bodies with whom the Trust has forged links. The Trust has installed a dipping platform at the wildlife Pond, and are encouraging the school to use this, and all of the Common as an outdoor classroom. The Facebook Page, accessible to everyone (without logging in), is a valuable resource to keep the community informed about what’s going on and when. The Trust is grateful to the Community Centre for continuing provide a link with the Community and providing flexible accommodation for their regular meetings. Polly Murray Secretary for the Macduff Trust


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Community Centre Office

The office continues to offer photocopying (now with colour too!), laminating, emailing and typing services to the community.

Office services Office Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 09:30-14:30

Photocopying Black & White A4 10p Black & White A4 Double Sided 20p Black & White A3 20p Black & White A3 Double Sided 40p Colour A4 35p Colour A4 Double Sided 60p Colour A3 60p Colour A3 Double Sided £1.20 Typing A4 page £3.25 Laminating A4 £1.35 A3 £1.90 Room Hire Voluntary Rate Commercial

Rate Main Hall £10.50 £15.00 GP Room £8.50 £10.50 I.T Room £6.50 Bird Room £6.50 P.C Hire £1 p/h + 10p per

printed A4 sheet


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WHAT’S ON IN THE CENTRE

Monday Baby massage, buggy walks, messy play and baby café Patchwork group (fortnightly)

10:30-11:30 14.00-16.00

Tuesday ‘Muchty Monkeys 09:15–11:10 Baby & Toddler Group 09:30–11:15 ‘Muchty Quilters Taekwon-Do

19:00–21:00 19:00-20:00

Wednesday ‘Muchty Monkeys 09:15–11:10

Pilates 10.00-11.00

Lunch Club 10:00-14:00

Theatre Group

As Required

Thursday Baby & Toddler Group 09:30–11:15 Garden Club (3rd Thursday) 19.00-21.00

Friday Craft Group Shukokai Karate

10:00–12noon 18:00-20:00

Sunday Theatre Group Rehearsals As Required Various groups not shown in the core programme use the Centre for regular meetings and training sessions. These include:

Macduff Trust Auchtermuchty Community Association Auchtermuchty & Strathmiglo Community Council Howe Of Fife Detached Youth Project Stratheden Curling Club

FIRST

Opportunities Fife

Fife Council Family Support Workers, Health Visitors and Homecare

Auchtermuchty Community Trust

‘Muchty in Bloom


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WHO’S WHO

Management Committee

Chairperson Mrs Nettie Campbell Vice Chairperson Miss Peggy Neithercut Honorary Treasurer Mr David Mole Honorary Secretary Miss Vivienne Stewart

Committee Members Marj Keddie (Craft Group & ATG Rep) Louise Ness (Monkeys & Festival Rep) Debbie Martin and Diane Russell (Centre Café Rep)

Agata Swiatek (Aggie’s Vintage Café Rep, April 2014 onwards)

Graham Livingstone Alan Muirhead (Community Council, Association and

Trust Rep)

Representatives Cllr Donald Lothian Cllr Andy Heer

Ex Officio Members Mr David Manderson, CEW Mr Tom Phillips Mr Jim Douglas

Staff

Caretaker/Cleaner Gail Fleck Clerical Assistants Viv Stewart and Jackie Arreaza (September 2013

onwards)

Auchtermuchty Community Centre annual report 2013 2014

Documents

Transcript of Auchtermuchty Community Centre annual report 2013 2014