It is a great pleasure to report that the FLPC has experienced a welcome increase in our income from Membership and Fundraising, which, combined with the reserves held over from the previous year has enabled us to make record grants towards the maintenance of the Parish Church. To have been able to do so in times of such economic and budgetary pressure is an immense tribute to the loyalty and generosity of our members and supporters and the tireless efforts of our small committee.
Contributions from our annual Bridge Tea in November and Quiz in March came close to matching last year’s levels despite the seemingly inevitable clash of dates with other similar charitable events in the area. However the highly innovative “Girls Night Out” in June and Paul Pickering’s recent afternoon lecture “The HeART of Spain”, run with the generous support of Leatherhead DFAS, resulted in a rise in proceeds from fundraising events of £400 (11%) making a total for the year of £ 3,200.
Much effort was also put into revamping our information and marketing leaflets: combined with assiduous follow-up by our Membership Secretary, and a targeted campaign on areas locally where we have very few members, this resulted in increases in both membership numbers and contributions. We were also fortunate to be beneficiaries of a significant donation in memory of the Hennikers, Molly and Alec, former committee members. Taking everything into account our income from all sources therefore rose to close on £7,300.
Following on from the major overhaul and upgrade in the electrical systems in the Parish Church in 2009/10 we agreed with the PCC that the priorities were repairs to the Font and remedial work to paint and plasterwork. We worked closely together on the scope of such works: our aims were not merely to restore what was there before but to improve appearances and to investigate and to correct past errors. We were finally able to contribute £6,770 – nearly 70% – of the enhanced cost; this in addition to our regular Saturday working parties and contribution of £2,000 towards the upkeep of the graveyard.
Our overriding objective is to preserve and enhance our Church and its environment for current and future generations. The ability to represent the wider community combined with a constructive relationship with the PCC are therefore seen as vital in helping decide priorities between an often bewildering set of alternatives. What is clear is that projected capital expenditure and maintenance costs are such that we will need to raise increasing amounts of money in the future if we are to continue to make a significant contribution.
Meanwhile I will end as I began by thanking most sincerely our members and supporters and our committee: Frank Haslam, our Treasurer, June Robinson, whose innovative fund raising and project management skills are invaluable, Fran Fleming, Membership Secretary, Jennie Macfarlane, Sonya Grove, Peter Ford, and John Hampton, our Churchwarden representative this year. We also have to thank and, regretfully, to say goodbye, to Jackie Hampton who as Honorary Secretary for many years has organised and kept records of meetings and had a key role in managing bookings for fundraising events not to mention catering at the Quiz. I am happy to say that Jackie will continue to assist us with bookings.
This does however only serve to emphasise the continuing need for additional volunteers and some new faces on the committee.Chris Evans, Chairman