Minutes of meeting July 2008

NEWTOWN AREA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF MEETING
HELD 24 July 2008 AT WESLEY ROAD CLUB AT 8:00PM


Attendees: Fran Markotic (Chair), Joan & Eddy Smith, Mary Beer, Hilly Prendergast, Stewart & Eunja Palmen, Clive Blackmore (Cllr), Graham Hedley (Cllr), Karen Tate, Sara Cundy

Apologies: Claudia Hodds (Treasurer), Justin Hodds, Mark McLauchlan, Drew Thomas, Lisa Etherton, Mary Carter

In Mark’s absence, Fran chaired and took minutes. The minutes of last month’s meeting were approved without amendment.

Community Spotlight 2008
Fran advised that this had gone fairly well, and that £25 had been raised by a tabletop sale and donated to the Mayor’s charities. She thanked Shanagh Prendergast for the excellent collage of photos made for display at the event.

Car Boot Sale in Wesley Road Club carpark
This had been very successful; Joan & Eddy advised that many people had expressed a with for further carboot sales – it seems Sunday afternoons is a good time. £60 was collected from vendors and this will be used to purchase prizes for the garden competition.

Front Garden Fiesta
The initial phase of judging went smoothly with everyone who had volunteered sending Fran their selections from their own streets. The 2nd phase, where those selections were whittled down to 1 was a little slower. Fran has done the rounds twice now and will make a final selection of 6 shortly. She has written to 3 garden suppliers: The Shaw Trust cannot give a voucher, but has offered a potted plant. The Trowbridge Garden Centre and B&Q are yet to respond. Several people also suggested a garden centre just outside BOA who may well offer a prize. Fran to deal with this.

Crime stats
No reps from the police attended this month.

August Newsletter 2008
Still in progress. Fran has spoken to Sylvia Zukowska who will translate a precised version of each item which will be put under the item itself, so we will have a dual language newsletter this season!

AOB
Fuel poverty - Graham suggested that at this of rising energy prices, if anyone knows of families suffering as a result of higher bills, to let him know. Hilly pointed out that if a family is on benefits, they will get the help needed, otherwise no.

Trowbridge Museum – is holding special exhibitions over the summer holidays, including weaving displays.

Christmas Party – Fran wondered whether it might be possible to interest young people in the Association; Hilly & Mary felt that perhaps if they were invited to a more informal occasion – like the Christmas party - this might happen. As there were so few members at the meeting, this will be raised again in September for confirmation that members are willing for this to happen and suggestions as to how this might come about.

Reminder - There is to be a football gala for kids in Studley Green on the 20th – 21st August.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8:35pm


Next meeting will take place on Thursday 25th September 2008.

Thereafter: 23 October (AGM) 20 November 18 December 2008
22 January 2009

Email for PCSOs: collegeandnewtownnpt@wiltshire.police.uk Telephone: 0845 408 7000
Our Police and PCSO team are:
PC 2212 Jo Bagg
PCSO 6142 Mike Caine
PCSO 6163 Maria Badder

Fran Markotic is NARA Chair: 01225 710457 fran.jason@btinternet.com