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AGM 2004 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
SOMBORNE PLAYERS HELD ON THURSDAY 13 MAY 2004, AT 7:45PM IN THE EPWORTH HALL PRESENT: Sue Spurling, Audrey Gannaway, Sue Holligan, David
Haydon, Melanie Haydon, Claire Bevan, Jo Finch, Keith Chapman, Bill Sutton,
Lesley Evans, Eleanor Evans, Sue Jackson, Chris Hall, Vanessa Sharpe, Alan
Glynne-Jones. APOLOGIES: Cynthia
Bloom, Rebecca Rickard, Anne Riley, Andrew Flanagan, Vicky Burden, Peter
Duncan, Audrey Thomas, Linda Aucock. David Haydon opened the
meeting by welcoming members. MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: The minutes of the last AGM were read and accepted. MATTERS ARISING: The stage curtains have been lowered, an amplifier has been
purchased, a 4th performance was given of the pantomime and the
children performing in the pantomime were integrated after the initial
meeting. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: David Haydon gave the
chairman’s report. The Church Fete took place
on Saturday 7 June at the Old Vicarage and the Players served the
refreshments. Since it was a sunny day
there were many takers for tea, coffee, ices and squash. A small group of Players
gathered in the Epworth Hall on 27 June to read their favourite poems. An enjoyable evening was had by all
concerned. Rebecca Rickard and Lesley
Evans organised and ran a teddy bear stall at the Carnival. The Players, along with a
number of the Somborne Singers provided the entertainment for the Harvest
Supper on 4 October. There were two
sketches, flute music, Morris dancing and poetry. The entertainment was much enjoyed by all
present. The Autumn production
(10/11 October), “Darling Mr London”, was a great success. The cast greatly enjoyed the rehearsals and
the performances. The play was
performed in front of two enthusiastic audiences, who responded warmly to an
evening of carefully orchestrated chaos.
The set called for 7 doors which as many of you know is a challenge on
the village hall stage. We were very
grateful to Tony Masham for building it for us. This was the first time the Players had put
on a farce, which is one of the most difficult types of play to put on. All credit to Audrey Thomas (Director) and
the cast. Reasonable audiences on both
nights meant that we broke even on the production. The Proteus Travelling
Theatre visited the village on 3 December with their production of “The
extraordinary tale of Colonel Cody, Wild West Showman & Hero of the
Skies”. This was a very enjoyable
evening with an energetic cast. The show
took a pinch of Buffalo Bill, a dash of Barnum, and a generous dollop of
Baron Munchausen to give you Colonel Cody – daredevil, cowboy, wild west
showman and the first man to fly an aeroplane in the A small group of Players
gathered at Hope Cottage on 7 December for Christmas drinks. Mulled wine and nibbles and the obligatory mince
pies were consumed. (It was also the
first use of our new conservatory.) Several Players took part
in the Ashley Ladies’ Christmas Concert in the church on 14 December. The Players read a selection of readings,
sacred and secular. The Pantomime, Beauty and
the Beast, was a great success. During
the four performances (on 5/6/7 February) over 400 people came to see the
show. We did four performances for the
first time – re‑instating a Thursday evening performance. The Thursday performance attracted around
50 people, which made it worthwhile.
There were many memorable moments such as the Beast abseiling out of
the loft, the spider bouncing against the gates and the wreckage of the
Pirate ship emerging from the fog. The
panto is a major undertaking which would not be successful without the effort
of a large number of people, many of whom are not members of the Players and
we are very grateful to them for their time and support. (I still don’t know how I was persuaded
into a dress and wig, and, more to the point, shaving off my beard.) The Players have again been
asked to
organise the entertainment for the Harvest Supper. Sue Spurling and Rebecca
Rickard are directing two one act plays to be performed on 8 and 9
October. The plays are “The Patient”
by Agatha Christie and “Charade” by Philip Johnson. The committee have tried to
maintain a programme of monthly meetings throughout the year, whenever they
can be fitted around other events.
Although not exactly well attended, those who have attended meetings
over the past year have enjoyed them.
If there is anything that anyone would like the committee to arrange,
please let a committee member know. It
will be discussed in committee and we will try to arrange it. Finally, my thanks to the
rest of the committee for all the hard work that they have put in to make the
past year a busy one for the Players – and, I think, a successful one. My thanks also to Chris Hall and Vicky
Burden and everyone else who has given up their time to help with all the unglamorous
but necessary tasks to keep the Players going. TREASURER’S REPORT: Claire Bevan presented the
accounts. A query was raised regarding
the NODA Insurance and it was explained that this was insurance of equipment
and liability insurance. The higher
amount in hall fees was also queried, this was due to more pantomime
rehearsals taking place in the hall. Bill Sutton proposed that the
accounts were accepted and this was seconded by Keith Chapman. ELECTION OF OFFICIERS: Bill Sutton proposed that the
committee be re-elected en-bloc and this was seconded by Keith Chapman and
passed unanimously. Chair: David
Haydon Secretary: Melanie Haydon Treasurer: Claire Bevan Committee: Sue Spurling Lesley Evans Rebecca Rickard Anne Riley ELECTION OF AUDITOR: John Green Nominated by: Sue Spurling Seconded by: Lesley Evans As all were in favour John was duly elected. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Bill Sutton paid tribute to
Chris Hall and Vicky Burden’s hard work on props and production for the panto
but raised an objection to the script changes. Local references are acceptable but adding
and deleting scenes is not and could leave the society open to a fine if the
copyright holder found out as it would be breaking the copyright act. Chris Hall responded that
finding something suitable, particularly that could include the children, was
difficult and it would take longer. Audrey Gannaway asked if the
children were members. It was suggested that we look
at skeleton scripts which can be obtained over the internet or at writing
another script or at scripts written for other villages. Audrey Gannaway asked about
makeup, she felt that stage makeup worked better than ordinary makeup under
the stage lights and the sponges did not work for ordinary makeup. Jo Finch said that many professional actors
use ordinary makeup and it was difficult to get supplies of stage makeup. It was suggested that the makeup be tried
out under the lights before the dress rehearsal. It was explained that due to
the Child Protection Act it was necessary to segregate the children from the
adult cast, it was suggested that this should be publicised in the newsletter and given to parents of children
involved. Sue Holligan asked if there
was a casting policy, David Haydon replied that the Director of a production
sets the policy for that production. Books have been donated to Electrical work has been done
in the hall funded by the Players to make setting up and taking down the
lights safer and easier. Bill Sutton
suggested sound cables be laid as well.
Loft boards were also suggested. There was some discussion on a
Players Dinner, the Watermill Theatre at Newbury was suggested. A visit to the Open Air production at
Mottisfont Abbey is proposed for July. Sue Spurling thanked Melanie
& David Haydon for their hard work for the players. Members were reminded that
subscriptions were due now and asked to complete a membership form. The meeting ended at 8:55pm. |
