Registered Charity No.1192380

Meeting Details

• Date:  Wednesday 25^th March 2026
• Time:  09:30 to 11:00am
• Venue:  Withnell Fold Sports and Social Club
• Present:  Ann Furlong (Chair); Bronwen Hastings (Acting Secretary); Paul Brooking (Treasurer);   Maria Brooking (Groups Co-ordinator); Geoff Tittensor (Membership Secretary);  Lynn Worden (Publicity Officer);   Mike Smith;  Lynn Robinson (Speaker Secretary);  Pam Kirkham;
• Apologies:   Graham Green; Kay Aldred (Accessibility Officer);  Clive Bass (Web Editor);  Steve Perry;  Ali Prior.

Agenda

• 1. Welcome and Opening Remarks
• 2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
• 3. Review of action items from previous meeting
• 4. Reports and Updates
• 5. Any Other Business
• 6. Date of Next Meeting
• 7. Actions to be taken and by whom

1. Welcome and Opening Remarks

The chairperson called the meeting to order.

2. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting, held on Wednesday 11^th February were reviewed. The minutes were approved unanimously as an accurate record.

3. Review of Action Items from Previous Meeting

• Shared Drive Session for one member – PB
  One member required an update and PB reported this was done.
• Placement of calendar for past speakers – GT/LR

This has been sorted.

• AGM sub committee – AF/BH
  Had a meeting on 25th February 2026 and everything is in hand.
• Afternoon Tea Update – AF/MB

Pending.

• New Members Social Event Date – AF
  Date set for 20^th May, 7pm at WFSSC.  No food.
  GT will provide BH with the list of new members who have joined since September (41) and BH will send out invitations via email and ask members to reply as to whether they are able to attend or not.
  The bar will be open.  PB will do the bar.  The first drink will be complementary.
• Replacement of Signs – PB
  Completed
• DVD Player Update – PB
  This has been purchased and is ready for use.
• Borrowed Microphone Update – PB

No further action taken as there really isn’t a need for it at the moment and will re-visit at a future date if required.

• Portable Sound System Update – PB

Pending.

• Groups “remote payments” via Square Up App or Card Reader – PB
  A mini card reader has been purchased from “Square Up” to enable card payments for “venue hire” rather than cash or using the “big” card reader.  The mini card reader works the same as the “big” card reader but is smaller and not as cumbersome.

4. Reports and Updates

• Treasurer’s Report

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0AKJ1-Jrwu9JTUk9PVA

• Gift Aid Guidance and WPV Policy – PB
  WPV U3a is required to have a Gift Aid Policy which PB has created and it was adopted.
• Membership Update – GT
  We currently have 274 members.
• Speaker Update – LR

Nothing to report.

• Groups Report – MB

Shed Chat – suggested new group.  Pending.

Croquet Group – restarting this month, weather permitting.  LW Newsletter item.

Shakespeare Group – starting soon.  LW Newsletter item.

Walking Football – MS gauging interest and sorting a trial.  LW Newsletter item.

Introduction to BSL – Starting 15th April. 6 people interested.  LW Newsletter item.

• WFWPV U3a constitution with reference to committee member numbers

There are seven committee members who, by next year, will be coming to the end of the time that is permissible for them to serve on the committee.  To lose seven committee members in one go will cause significant disruption to the smooth running of the WPV U3a.  New people need to be encouraged to join the committee as soon as possible in order to ensure a smooth transition.  The subject is to be mentioned at the AGM, Monthly Speaker Meetings and Newsletter items.

• Ceilidh Review

A good time was had by all and will be run again at a later date.

• Cluster Report
  AF and PK attended the Cluster Meeting hosted by Todmorden U3a.  Seven groups were represented.  Many things discussed including advertising, membership, record keeping etc.  Next meeting is in September in Clithero.
• NW Workshop Report

PB/AF attended in Liverpool.  The morning session was about Finance and the afternoon session was about Growing Your U3a.  GT to look at email new members may/may not receive and possibly needs to be amended.

• WFSSC Hire Agreement

WFSSC have drawn up a hire agreement which PB has circulated to committee members and it was agreed to enter into such an agreement.  It states that conveners wanting to use the App to open and close the Clubhouse door/s that a form will need to be signed by individuals.

5. Any Other Business

• Safeguarding

WFSSC are having Safeguarding Training and AF is asking KA if she would like to attend.

6. Date of Next Meeting

• Wednesday 13^th May 2026 at 9.30am at Withnell Sports and Social Club in conjunction with the AGM.

7. Actions to be taken and by whom

• Paul Brooking
• Portable Sound System
• Lynn Worden
• Newsletter items re:

– Croquet Group;

      – Shakespeare Group;

       – Walking Football;

       – Introduction to BSL

• Ann Furlong / Bronwen Hastings

– AGM details to send to membership

• Mike Smith

– Walking football