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A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, OCTOBER 2011 |
Sometimes we’re asked how we spend the money that we have raised over the years. You’ll probably recognise the results, but did you know it was FHRA who made it happen? Have you any idea how much some of these things cost? You might be surprised!
FHRA has purchased all the Christmas Lights that brighten the Straight Bit, Swains Market and, from 2010, parts of Swains Lane. Over the past couple of years, these have cost £2,000; additional to the £6,000 over the previous five years. You’re probably familiar with the “annual” Christmas Light in Bourne End. We have had a quote for a bespoke light for the village, but at an approximate annual cost of £500 did not think we should proceed. Do you feel differently? Perhaps you’re a business and would like to sponsor a light?
Talking of Christmas, the cost to provide and light the tree, the Tree Lighting Service, when we are joined by West Wycombe Brass Band, and of course the refreshments in the Community Centre afterwards, are in excess of £1,200 annually.
Our latest addition is the planters outside the Methodist Church. These took over two years to install, and that was after we’d chosen the units themselves! The permissions required, including a cultivation license, seemed endless. Assisted by Councillor Mike Appleyard’s Ward Grant, the cost of the units, the planting (and the planting of the bed at the Sedgmoor Road/Chapman Lane junction), came to about £5,000. We are trying to use perennial plants and shrubs where possible but there is obviously an annual cost too.
Our earliest, and largest, single expense was the installation of the Skate/BMX equipment and Football/Basketball Wall at the Recreation Ground. Assisted by a Lottery Awards for All grant of £10,000 that one small area of the Recreation Ground cost over £16,000!
Last but not least, we’ve planted 5 Cherry Trees around the village to remember Cherry Fayres run by FHRA. You’ll find them on the corner at the top of Juniper Lane and on Heath Lawn either side of Rugwood Road.
Watch out for more news coming soon on our forthcoming spending plans for the village.
Comments or suggestions? Please e-mail us contact details here or write to us care of Express Video.
Pam Mannering Chairman |
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After the formal business of the AGM we will be making a couple of presentations, including the second Al Habtoor Youth of the Year Award. Do you have a nomination to make? Nominations may be submitted to us care of “Express Video”, 3 Straight Bit, or e-mailed to fhra-secretary@flackwellheath.net. Please submit your nominations by Friday 25th February 2011. Don’t forget to include your contact details with your nomination. After the presentations, it’s Show Time. Don’t miss the first public appearance of Flackwell Heath’s brand new Flackwell Players. Initiated by last year’s Youth Award Winner Cameron Price, the Players will be performing a selection of numbers, including comedy sketches and some musical items too! They’ll have an eye on recruiting new members too, so if you enjoy what you see, they would be pleased to talk to you. |
