Chairman's Annual Report for 2009

Richard Oscroft MBE, April 2010

I am pleased to report on another active year which despite the economic recession has seen our events well supported, membership continuing to grow and sales in our second hand book shop increase. Overall therefore, another year of the Friends going from strength to strength as we continue to rise to the challenge our prime objective to “preserve and improve the listed building - Hylands House, Chelmsford - together with the associated Park, for the benefit of the public, and to promote its use by the public, through the activities of a group of Friends”.

Since the opening of our second hand book shop in March, 2008, business has continued to flourish with sales in 2009 averaging almost £1,500 per month, thanks in no small measure to the fantastic commitment of our team of 90 volunteers who enable the shop to open every day that the Stable Centre is open. When it is cold and wet and business is slack it may hardly seem worthwhile, but it really is important to provide a reliable service: overall the total income speaks for itself - so - Thank you all - and special thanks to special people: to Babs Sargeant, for continuing to organize the rota; to Linda Knock our Book Shop Administrator for fulfilling a truly valuable role in sorting through the large volumes of books which keep coming our way from many sources; to Trevor Adams who also spends many hours on our behalf researching books of value or significance, putting some on e-bay: sales in excess of £500 have been achieved from this source; to Pauline Martin, the Stable Centre Shop Manager, for setting up a system to enable us to accept credit cards; and finally, to Stan Kaluza for the huge number of hours he continues to put in to managing the whole operation. Indeed, everyone’s efforts are greatly appreciated.

The number of new members of the Friends in 2009 was 47, which included 2 new Life Members. After allowing for those who did not rejoin, we have seen an overall increase of 13 (2.1%) bringing our total to 620. As at today our membership is 623. Pleasingly 79% have completed Gift Aid forms, enabling the Friends to claim what I regard as a significant sum from HM Inland Revenue, albeit a lesser amount than in 2008 due in large part to fewer requests for Life Membership! We record with sadness the call to higher service in January of Mick Kemp who since our foundation has consistently made generous corporate contributions to our funds: a true benefactor of the Friends whose contribution your committee is seeking a way to recognize. Our thanks as always, are due to Brian Hinds, Membership Secretary, for keeping our records in such a meticulous way. Thanks too, to Ralph Hayden for making the Gift Aid reclaim on our behalf.

Since this time last year there has been an important change in the management of Hylands: our friend Louis Bach retired from managing the Park in October and our good friend, Ceri Lowen, who has managed the House for a number of years was successful in her application to become manager of the whole Hylands Estate, under the direction of Paul Van Damme. From a Friends’ perspective all your committee was delighted with Ceri’s appointment as through Ceri we have come to enjoy a really close working relationship with the whole of the Council’s professional team. We are working even more closely together: co-operation and mutual support remains the name of the ‘game’ as it brings together and combines resources which effectively enhance all that is offered to you, our members, and the public at large through a wide range of events and enhanced facilities in this beautiful place. It is no small co-incidence that after the formal business has been completed Paul Van Damme is to speak to us: much as we wish to hear of the Council’s plans for the Park in the medium and longer terms, Paul wishes to hear from us as well!!

Our Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2009 show us in a strong, robust position. I will leave our Treasurer to comment on the detail: suffice it for me to say that despite spending nearly £14,000 on purchases and restoration works we added almost £9,000 to our pot. A fantastic result - but so much more than a financial success. Our events are occasions of excellent entertainment, fun in good measure and an opportunity to make new acquaintances as well as enjoying good fellowship with old friends. Thanks to earnings from our bookshop, we seem to be raising funds faster than we can spend them!! However, looking to the future, there are still items for purchase on the “wish list” we have compiled with the Borough Council, not the least of which is a long case clock to stand at the bottom of the grand staircase. Your committee has also agreed to further repairs to the Stable Centre Clock and Weather Vane as well as purchasing a new mobility Scooter and providing some fresh pedestals of silk flowers in the House. Stan Kaluza, on our behalf, remains alert to possibilities appearing in auction catalogues. As I said last year we may also be persuaded to contribute to such medium and longer term projects as the restoration of the ice house and the re-development of the walled kitchen garden. Our Treasurer, Ros Coleridge, has completed her first year and is to be congratulated for keeping out accounting records so easy to follow. Thanks too, to Mike Vandome, our Independent Scrutineer, for another year’s examination of our books.

Thanks to Patrick Bermingham, our press and publicity officer, for continuing to arrange our coach outings, the Hylands Experience Day as well as editing our Newsletter - all in all a great commitment to the Friends. Patrick again regrets that there was only one Newsletter last year, however he assures us that there will be more in 2010 - the Spring edition is hot off the press as I speak!! As you will read, your committee is of a mind to review our newsletter arrangements which have remained largely unaltered since our inception 15 years ago - please let us have your views and comments especially as our web site - www.friendsofhylandshouse.com has been significantly improved in recent months thanks to the good work of John Fildes.

As you will become aware from the Spring Newsletter, your committee has made plans to provide a courtesy minibus again this year to transport folk between the Town Centre/Writtle and the Park on the first Monday of June, July and August. This follows our success last year when this service was well received. You will note from the Accounts, the cost by way of subsidy was very little. Thanks to Pam Hunnable and Glenda Hicks for co-ordinating the arrangements both last year and this.

In closing, I thank you for being a wonderful group of Friends: on your behalf I thank each of our committee members for the huge amount that they do for us, thereby ensuring that, together, we really do meet our objectives in good measure. Special thanks to Vice Chairman, Glenda Hicks, who so competently held the reins during my incapacity for several weeks last year - should I mention that under the terms of our constitution I am only allowed to serve one more year as Chairman! My thanks also to Tim Roper who is standing down after six years on our committee, five of which he served as our Treasurer: truly a Councillor whose wise counsel and friendship has been much appreciated. Another real stalwart of the Friends is Ron Woods our Secretary: thanks Ron for the huge amount you do. Finally, Madam President, our thanks to you for all your support and encouragement over 15 years. Particularly, I thank you for your helpful advice and guidance to me personally.