Highlights of July’s meeting – a look ahead to the AGM; need for new committee members; and the social calendar 23/24
At a meeting of the Askett Society Committee, on Monday 10th July, we agreed that a summary of subjects discussed, might make interesting reading for members, and provide a helpful window on the business of the Committee. We have chosen to post the summary in the Members Section of the Askett Village Website – “Committee Spotlight” tab – with signposts on both the Village e-mail and WhatsApp Group. We hope you find it useful. Members of the Committee are happy to address any follow-up questions from Society members.
As most know, unless you are new to the village, the Askett Society was established as a forum to address and respond to local planning matters. Initially named the Askett Conservation Society, the forum has since taken on a broader remit, now encompassing planning, social events, and the environment (litter, greens maintenance and conservation projects). Committee meetings aim to cover all three, but typically, deal with priority issues. The focus of Monday’s meeting was the need to refresh the Committee with the appointment of one or two new Committee members at the AGM in October.
Highlights from the meeting on Monday, were as follows:
- AGM: planning for the AGM in October, is in full swing! The Committee is investigating the feasibility of holding our annual review (including the Society’s official business – agreeing the minutes from 2022 AGM; signing off prior year’s accounts; and electing/re-electing Committee members) in the village (rather than in one of the available local village halls (Kimble/Monks Risborough). The aim will be to hold the AGM during the second half of October (date to be finalised). We will share further details with members, as soon as we are able to do so.
- Village social events: We wish to make the job of the “Social Secretary” easier on the Committee member, assuming the brief from Mary when she steps down in October. The Committee discussed the importance of our “core” events (Coffee mornings, Askett Informals). Both activities are mainstays of the social calendar and, to a large part, rely on individual Asketteers to step-up, on the day. The role of the Social Secretary is one of planning and communication with individual Asketteers, who own the event. We feel this is a good model on which to build the remainder of the social calendar – encouraging involvement/support form Askett Society Members, depending on the event in question. A great example of this is an “Informals event” proposed by Jez Holmes for early in the 2023/24 season. Jez will give us “Mad, bad and dangerous to know – Lord Byron and his women””. According to Jez, Lord Byron wasn’t just a poet, he was a rock star!!; the most prominent and outrageous celebrity of the Romantic era, he lived life to excess. This is a perfect example of an entertaining and illuminating subject, proposed and delivered by one of our talented Asketteers The Informals are typically held on Sunday evenings during the Autumn/Winter months, kick-off 7.30pm! If you have a passion and wish to share it with fellow Asketteers, the Informals might just be the perfect opportunity!
- And finally, something fun, and potentially very special! Carols on the green (planned for December 22nd), is the annual village event that attracts the greatest participation of Asketteers, young and old. This year, Anna Crookes (Committee Member, Askett Maestro and all-round good-egg) would like to invite those interested, to practice under her tutelage, and perform a couple of pieces of music as the Askett Community Choir, during the Carols event. So, if you think you might be able to hold a tune, and you wish to have a bit of fun in the run up to Christmas with some likeminded, give-it-a-go Asketteers, keep your eyes peeled for more information in the coming weeks!
Stuart Thompson
Askett Society, Chair
14th July 2023