General Meeting

Thursday, 8 October 2026
Breakfast meeting
Apologies - Gerry and Godfrey.
Guests - Liz Dane from the Horsebridge in Whitstable.
Area meeting
- Pete and Sarah attended the meeting last week. Only a couple of other clubs
were represented. Various events were shared and Pete will discuss these in the
coming weeks.
Treasurer
- David has had no response from district regarding our withdrawal from the district
grant process.
- David thanked the club for Linda’s card, hopefully Linda will be home by next
week, everyone wished her well.
International
- All the paperwork for our first two in-house grants are in hand and being
progressed.these are for the African Oyster Trust and Open Your Hearts to
Bhutan.
Shoeboxes Kathy happy to take any ready next week and Sarah will take in
Kathy’s absence over the next few weeks.
Grace given by Paul followed by breakfast.
The Horsebridge
- Liz gave us a very interesting presentation and made some brochures available.
- The Horsebridge is a place where everyone can experience creativity. everyone is
welcome and can take part. The building is owned by the council however it is
run as a charity with no council funding.
- Open 7 days a week and a number of evenings. Some staff and lots of
volunteers, including a great group of special needs volunteers.
- Covid influenced many new and innovative ways of working.
1
- The centre includes exhibition spaces, which enable a Christmas market and
community auction. Office spaces, mosque, classes, counselling, meeting rooms.
Community partnerships, working closely with Umbrella, the museum and the
Castle. A variety of projects, live events, workshops, cinema, festivals.
- Children’s activities focus on all ages through to family groups. There is an Art
Bank, provide Christmas decorations to the Food bank to include in food parcels.
Have a pay what you can scheme to ensure there is access to all. Funding
needed for groups range between £1000 to £50000, grant and part funding
schemes are utilised.
- Funding is never secure, risks have to be taken, and the centre has to be
constantly flexible. Community ownership is huge. Annual footfall is about
80,000.
- We will discuss making a donation to the Horsebridge, Liz will pull together a
proposal.
Membership
- Need people to sign up for 24/10 at B&Qs.
- Poppy pins will be ordered today, if Rotary pins are needed contact David as he
is ordering and will take payment through meal accounts.
Toy Collection
- The session is now covered. WI hall booked from 9.30-12.30.
- Robert will put a post on our Facebook page, please share widely.
Social
- 21/10 platter and a Natter at Ales and Blooms, sheet in Events folder.
- 14/11 Quiz tickets on sale. 63 of 96 sold.
AOB
- We will trial having meetings in the main bar as it is roomier from next week.
- Evening meeting 27/11 will be the colours speaker, a suitable venue will be
sought.
- 26/10 Food friends speaker.
- Breakfast speaker 3/12 Darting Eye Syndrome.
- 14/10 board meeting 5pm at Fiona’s
2
- Pete is going to a Patrons meeting at Demelza today.
- Fiona thanked the club for their card and messages of condolence.
Raffle won by Pat, a bottle and a star fish gourd.
Master at Arms
- Dave fined people for being dressed in imperial purple, counter fined for
assuming religiousness, being an early bird, wanting a big one, warm welcome to
our visitor Sue, being a scout or guide, camping, problems with tents!
- Dave then regaled us with a poem on scout camping.
Final toast from Sheila.
Next meeting 15/10 7.30 for 8am at the Monument.