Spring has well and truly sprung and over recent days we have experienced some excellent weather with the spring flowers looking delightful.
In the last newsletter I introduced a new branch member, Karen Turner. Karen was experiencing some difficulty, in resolving a longstanding problem with Colchester Borough Council. Janet Saunders, branch Welfare Officer, contacted Terry Robinson, our regional Family Care Officer, who visited Karen to discuss the problem, Terry then wrote to the Council and I am happy to say that the problem is now in the final stages of being resolved, my personal thanks to Janet and Terry for their invaluable assistance.
The 2002 Annual General Meeting took place on March 9th at the Tollgate Hall, Stanway. Around twenty people attended the meeting.
The chairman welcomed everyone and especially our guest of honour, Regional Organiser, Anne Jackson. A special welcome was extended to our guests fro Chelmsford branch. The chairman thanked them for the warm welcome that he was given, at the recent Chelmsford branch AGM.
The chairman went on to thank Maria Fremlin, for the hard work she has carried out for the branch in the past and for the assistance she has given to the committee and to the chairman in particular. Unfortunately Maria has had to stand down from the committee, because of outside commitments.
Chris Jenkinson reported on the financial state of the branch:
| Annual Income: | £7,586.44 |
| Total Expenditure | £1,154.58 |
| Excess Income over Expenditure | £6,431.86 |
| Opening Bank Balance | £698.95 |
| Plus Excess income over Expenditure | £6,431.86 |
| Less Funds to Head Office 2001 | £6,300.00 |
| Bank Balance | £830.81 |
During the year the branch made Welfare Payments of £500.00
Janet's report, centred mainly on the plight of Marion Salmon. Marion recently had a fall and spent time in hospital. It was felt that she would be unable to look after herself on leaving hospital and therefore has had to go into residential care. At this time the situation is still fluid and we are not aware exactly where Marion will eventually be staying.
Janet is monitoring the situation and reporting back to the committee.
The chairman paid tribute to the excellent and very hard work that Marion had put into the branch, over many years, and wished her the very best of good wishes for the future.
| Chair | Geoff Wiseman |
| Vice Chair | Chris Jenkinson |
| Secretary | Sue Wood |
| Treasurer | Chris Jenkinson |
| Welfare Officer | Janet Saunders |
| Committee Members | Beryl Leeks |
| Geoff Ball |
It is hoped to co-opt one or two additional members to the committee during the coming year. The final official act of the afternoon was for Anne Jackson to present Long Service awards to the following:
| Jan, Keith and Clare Jarman | Five Years |
| David Marshall | Ten Years |
The AGM concluded with musical entertainment and an excellent buffet, organised by the lady committee members.
Fund Raising: so far this year 2002, the branch has carried out five fund raising collections:
| Jan 26th Asda Store Colchester | £275.80 (incl. Organ) |
| Feb 1st Sainsbury's Tollgate | £850.43 (incl. Organ) |
| Feb 23rd Waitrose, Sudbury | £471.67 (incl. Organ) |
| Mar 16th Fiveways Store Brightlingsea | £389.64 (incl. Organ) |
| March 30th Tesco Store, Greenstead Road | £283.79 (no Organ) |
| March 8th SGR Radio (donation) | £250.00 |
Geoff Wiseman,
Branch Chairman / Editor
57 Winsley Square,
Old Heath Road,
Colchester, CO1 2ET
Tel: 01206 792654
E-mail: geoff@gjwisecol2.freeserve.co.uk