Branch Annual Report – 2007

Good evening and thank you for coming to this the first General Meeting of the Thurrock and Basildon branch, the official start date of the new branch being Jan 1^st 2007. I will start now as it appears our guest Mr Paul Weaver, the Regional Vice Chair, has been delayed.

This report is obviously mainly based on the activities that were carried out by the Thurrock members but, since the amalgamation, we have members from both areas participating in events.

Last year I asked for a transport co-ordinator, and we still need one, especially now the area covered has increased. Having said that, we did manage to use the minibus for many events, as we did for a short period have several volunteer drivers. We are always looking for drivers who can give some of their time to take people to the events we arrange. We do have a regular driver for our Monday Day Centre meeting in Thurrock. Unfortunately the spread of the branch precludes many pickups in the Basildon area for most events.

We did not have any large donations last year, although there was a mysterious donation of £580 in May, in cash, left in a pigeon hole for us at Dilkeswood. We are committed to help branch members with MS wherever we can. Any requests for financial assistance are given our full attention, and we will help wherever we can.

Any branch member with MS, participating in a branch organised event lat year, had their costs covered in full. As a general rule for the coming year, I hope we will be able to continue this.

The activities we were involved in last year were covered by both our newsletters and our web pages. Our new web address for those interested is www.thurrockandbasildon.org.uk. But as a memory jogger, and for those from Basildon, here is brief run down on what we got up to.

Our activities over the last year started in April with 8 of us participating in a quiz in Tilbury. We didn’t win, but it was a good evening with plenty of laughs, and one raffle prize won by Marcia.

May was quiet, but June started with a fitness and exercise evening with Jaci, a fitness trainer. Many participated in some gentle exercise whilst sitting and watching how it should be done. It was hoped to have her back on a regular basis, but this hasn’t happened as yet. This month also saw the relocation of our Day Centre from Dilkeswood to ‘The Beehive’. We were told Dilkeswood was to be closed in the near future, but to my knowledge it is still open, albeit with a reduced clientele.

The middle of June, with conniving, double bluffs and sleight of hand we managed to get Joyce to a surprise meal at the ‘Hungry Horse’ restaurant.

June ended with a newly diagnosed/awareness meeting. Several people came along to see what our branch was all about. Fortunately some have continued to come back and join in our activities.

Our bowling trip in July was cancelled due to something called the World Cup Final.

We did have a good buffet evening at the end of the month, due to there being transport available and the weather being fine.

August saw a good gathering for a fish and chip supper. Again the weather, and there being transport available helped.

In September a group went to a Wine and Craft Festival which was a successful outing. With demonstrations, clay pigeon shooting, choirs, dancers and fire eaters being popular, as, apparently was the wine tasting.

September also saw one of the other well liked trips, the one to Harlow Dogs. The evening was enjoyed by all, with many laughs. But as usual there were more losers than winners.

October was a quiet month with just the usual social evenings and regular Day Centre meetings.

In November a trip to Barleylands was arranged at the request of regulars at the Day Centre. It was well supported, but it was a little too chilly for some at this time of year.

Christmas festivities were a little early for some, with a trip to the Lakeside resort on Hayling Island for a Turkey & Tinsel long weekend. Packing a normal week’s holiday into 3 days does make it a bit hectic but it did mean there was not really a dull moment with activities ranging from Archery and Rifle shooting, through snooker, quizzes and Bingo available.

Rob B came first in the Archery and second in the shooting and Sally-Anne and Sue won a little on the Bingo.

December started with another quiz in Tilbury. The event was to raise funds for an MS group in Brentwood. It was a humorous evening with lots of rivalry between tables. Not first and certainly not last, we didn’t let ourselves down.
 

As it has been for many years we had our carol singing concerts at Lakeside Shopping Centre. This year we had another choir from St Cleres join Hassenbrook. Graham James Primary School choir again pulled in the crowds with their youthful enthusiasm. Our total collected on the two afternoons was £679.18.

We finished 2006 with a meal at the ‘Haywain’. The food was good and nobody was left waiting for their food. However, it was felt that it was not a suitable venue for large numbers.

As I said earlier, Jan 1^st 2007 was the official date of the merge of Thurrock and Basildon. Our first meeting together was on Jan 5^th, with around 30 people from both areas, coming along to show their support at a New Year buffet. On the evening Pat was presented with a Shining Star for all her volunteering work over the years.

As a new branch, we have already had two events, the first was Ten pin bowling at Basildon Bowl, where 16 members came along to join in. Our second was the ever popular Harlow Dogs night, where someone, who unfortunately can’t be here tonight, finally broke her duck and went home with some winnings.

Cecilia and Sheila were co-opted onto the committee at the start of the year, unfortunately due to illness, Sheila is unable to continue. The number standing for election this year is small, which increases the workload on each member. If anyone thinks they could help, in any way, please let someone on the committee know.

We would like to keep up a high standard of service, but this can be difficult with a reduced number on the committee.

Vote of Thanks

Finally before our Vote of thanks, Paul has a few words to say, and I am sorry for putting you on the spot at short notice.

I would like to thank the outgoing committee for all their work over the last year and to our volunteers at the Day Centre, and to our drivers who help us to keep going.

Thanks also to Paul for coming along tonight to join in our first General Meeting together.

Rob Laing