The Social Club has a new real ale on offer: Butcombe Gold (4.4%ABV). This is a refeshing golden bitter brimming with character, not to mention citrus hops and fruit. Made with 100% Maris Otter malt, and brewed using a single variety hop, English Fuggles. A malty fresh vitality gives way to a full bittersweet finish – pure Gold!
The WHCA SOCIAL CLUB AGM took place on MONDAY 26th September.
The accounts for the two previous years were reviewed. A small profit for the last year was shown which was good, in a year when cellar cooling was purchased, and valuable contributions were made to the CA. Also the loan to the CA for the building was reduced by a further 11%. We need to encourage more people through the door to partake of the excellent products dispensed by the cheery bar staff!
Next year the AGM, dealing with accounts to the end of May 2012, should return to being held in June or July.
It was noted that we need to find another independent (and unpaid) accountant to review next year’s accounts.
Steve Verrall took the chair and thanked the committee for their work for the Social Club. Nominations for officers made in advance were read out and agreed unanimously:
Chairman: Simon Haywood
Treasurer: Steve Gillen
Simon Haywood took the chair again and thanked Steve Verrall for all his voluntary work in keeping the bar going for us all and for the various events this year.
The Chairman asked for volunteers for the Social Club Committee. The following put their names forward and were agreed unanimously: Rupert Jeffery, Martin Howe, Fay Kelly, Elizabeth Jeffery, Tony Kelly.
Friday 23rd September sees the return of WHCA’s popular quiz evening. Both members and non-members are welcome. Entrance is £2.50 per person, with a maximum of four in a team. A curry supper is served, the competition can be fierce and this is always an enjoyable evening – do come along!
The WHCA Social Club has recently added real ales to the range of refreshments available.
Currently on offer is the popular Butcombe Bitter at a very reasonable £2.50/pint. At 4% by volume it is a well-balanced, hoppy beer which “evokes a summer evening in Somerset”, as one happy customer said.
See the Social Club page for opening times.
The year began with the first fund-raising, via a table top sale, towards achieving the much needed refurbishment of the ladies’ loos. Later in the year a successful application to the Neighbourhood Partnership meant that this project would become a reality. The Neighbourhood Partnership (NP), part of a Bristol City-wide scheme, links Windmill Hill Ward with Knowle West and Filwood. Funds are made available annually for the benefit of these communities. We were very pleased to gain additional funding from the NP which enabled us to buy the notice board for outside the building. This displays information about other groups as well as our own.
Inside the building we now have a computer, wireless internet access plus a projector and large screen which enable images to be projected for meetings and we can show films and sporting events. Another improvement is the renewal of fluorescent lighting in the small hall. Installing a cistern miser in the gents’ toilet has reduced the water bill considerably. Most importantly, after a period of concentrated effort the heating in the small hall was repaired and worked efficiently in time for Christmas and the very cold weather.
The flat roof at the back of the building was repaired which meant an end to mopping up in that part of the corridor. The lower part of the garden area was re surfaced with paving slabs after the wooden decking had become too weak. But the upper area and steps have to be renewed before it can be made into a garden again.
Many classes and events have continued through the whole year (apart from cancellations caused by the severe weather conditions). These include Yoga, Hooping, Fitness training and Pilates. Aerobics classes were held for half the year, some Zumba dance classes were enjoyed and a singing group recently began weekly sessions here. Other regular activities have been the Memories Club, Ballroom and Sequence Dancing, Youth group, Woodcraft Folk (a group for children) and the Book group.
The hall has been hired for rehearsals for dancing, circus, story-telling and music practice. Two professional theatre groups rehearsed plays for touring to UK Schools. In addition Community Police meetings have been held here, particularly to discuss schemes for ‘alley gate’ security. A residents group and a planning group have met here but perhaps the most entertaining day was a ‘Bee Study’ day held last April. (Visitors welcomed by people in Bee costumes, with Bee bunting, delicious honey cakes, various stalls, activities for children, plus serious talks.)
‘Art on the Hill’ weekend in early October again brought many people into the building and included art activity sessions, an evening for local musicians and ended with a children’s outdoor parade.
The committee meets once a month to discuss what needs to be done and it was a pity that last year we had no-one with responsibility for publicity. For a time there were concerns about money going missing. Steps were taken to put in place procedures to see that this would not continue. We have been very fortunate that committee volunteers were able to donate their professional skills and expertise to assist with this.
Social activities like discos, raffles, skittles, Quiz Nights, pool, and cards continue and these include some fund raising. From time to time the halls are hired for family celebrations and children’s parties. We are aware that another job to be taken in hand soon is to improve the floor of the small hall.
Much of the work done on improving the building has relied on a small number of volunteers and we give them our sincere thanks. We would like to attract more members and volunteers. We want to finish the repairs and refurbishment of the building and also look forward to increasing what is available here at the heart of the community. C.H.
We currently have a list of priorities for the neighbourhood police to give as agreed at the local Neighbourhood forum.
1. Failure to comply with 20mph zone, St Luke’s Road – remove or enforce
(Voted number 1 priority with 7 votes)
Caused by drivers ignoring the 20mph signs as they drive along St Luke’s Road, Totterdown. There is no specific time/day. The problem appears to be on a daily basis.
* Local Councillors to explore details and results to date of this trial scheme and report back.
* Police to arrange onsite meeting with Traffic management.
* Police to conduct occasional Speedwatch operation in the road and act as a visible deterrent.
* Explore the possibility of developing a community Speedwatch.
* Article for local community and school newsletters / publications to promote scheme and ask local residents to comply.
* Posters in Victoria Park and around Totterdown.
2. Oxford Street – Groups of young people congregating outside Tesco Express, intimidating people, possible drug dealing. Litter in street / car park
(Voted number 2 priority with 5 votes)
Groups of unknown males congregating outside the shops and cash point. Balls are kicked against walls causing intimidation. There is a perception that they are dealing drugs at the location. Offences are occurring during the day and evening.
* Ongoing Neighbourhood Police patrols and intelligence gathering. Identify individuals.
* Operation BEACON (Bristol drugs team) to be tasked.
* Visits /Anti social behaviour questionnaires to all houses on Oxford Street.
* Meeting to be arranged with local shops, Management Company and Police to discuss improving the layout of the area, possibility of a shop watch scheme. * Monthly beat surgery to be held fortnightly in Oxford Street.
* Mini recycling scheme to be explored for area. (Sarah Howard BCC Waste coordinator).
3. Littering of ASDA shopping trolleys around Victoria Park and St Luke’s Road
(Voted number 3 priority with 3 votes).
People are removing trolleys from ASDA Bedminster and dumping them in Victoria Park and around St Luke’s Road, specifically by the entrance to the railway bridge and on the junction of Hill Avenue.
* Park Keeper to establish extent of problem, any current dumping hot spot and current removal procedure.
* Beat team to check identified areas on routine patrols.
* Beat team-covering ASDA to be contacted.
* ASDA to be informed of problem / possible meeting with ASDA. * Publicise ASDA contact details around Park. * Establish current procedure for removal with BCC.
Outcomes
Failure to comply with 20mph zone, St Luke’s Road – remove or enforce
22/12/10 Traffic management services have been in contact with police regarding possible enforcement strategy.
Oxford Street – Groups of young people congregating outside Tesco Express, intimidating people, possible drug dealing. Litter in street / car park
22/12/10 Details of managers and landlords of shops secured. Meeting to be arranged.
Littering of ASDA shopping trolleys around Victoria Park and St Luke’s Road
14/12/10 Sue Coates has contacted PC Withers, agreed to visit Asda on our behalf with enquiry in relation to their recovery procedures and publicity material.
22/12/10 Posters advising how to report abandoned shopping trolleys in the park have been displayed on the notice boards.
Click here to download a PDF of this report
We are pleased to announce that internet access is now available to our users.
This can be from our computer in the Small Hall or via our wireless facility.
Wireless access codes can be obtained from the Bar.
Wireless access has now been extended into the main hall.
We can also allow use of our colour laser printer – ask for details!
We have a whole new look. Tell us what you think!