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Present:

Oliver Perceval, Sarah Perceval, Steve De Vriendt, Anne Kisbee, Julie Anthony, Frank Dean, Denise Holland, Steve Price, Eve James, Maureen Boyland.

1. Apologies:

Apologies had been received from Sheila van Maurik and Rev Julie Sear.

2. Minutes from last AGM:

These were approved.

3. Election of officers and new committee members:  

Frank Dean, Denise Holland and Steve Price were re-elected as Chair, Treasurer and Secretary respectively. Emma Richardson rejoined the committee. The Society welcomed two new members to the team, Jan Reed and Gemma Cosens. Frank thanked Malcolm and Maureen Boyland who had both resigned from the committee. He expressed his gratitude to them for their drive and hard work in setting up the CHHS membership scheme and running the raffle.

4. Chair’s report:

Frank thanked the committee and its many supporters and volunteers for their work over the year. The work we are doing, he said, is making a real difference to our community in Colemans Hatch. He gave a summary of the Open Gardens and Autumn Shows’ successes and explained that the Show will be held earlier (August 22^nd), to avoid and clashing with Hartfield’s. Due to the changes of date for the Autumn Show, it will no longer be called ‘Autumn Show’ but will instead be ‘Colemans Hatch Flower Show’. Dates for both CHHS events had been chosen after careful consideration of other local groups’ work, in order to minimise impact on each other’s activities. He explained that the Gertrude Jekyll talk and Wisley trip had been tremendous successes too. Frank thanked the Café team for their assistance with our events, Malcolm for the raffle & membership scheme and Sarah for her Telephone Box project.

5. Show Secretary’s report:

Oli described how the Open Gardens and Autumn Show had added great value to the life of our community and they reflected the values of nature which underpinned the Society’s work.

Oli described how in the past two years, the Open Gardens event had comprised 8 gardens and that where possible, he would look to raise this in future years to 10. This year, the Open Gardens weekend made a £1600 profit. He felt that we should look to improve publicity and to increase volunteer numbers. There was some discussion about some gardens not wanting or requiring stewards and also creating opportunities to involve children by having some activities or games where appropriate. Oli and the committee will consider these suggestions for 2026. 

Oli was pleased that the Autumn Show went well again this year. There had been more entries but the number of entries from older children/teens was down on previous years.

6. Presentation of Accounts:

Denise gave a summary report of the accounts for 2025 which was accompanied by the financial reports. She explained that the Society had made a small loss this year, in part due to the purchase of gazebos. These cost £3090 but the church had donated £500 towards this and the committee expressed their gratitude for this generosity. Denise explained how we had agreed to maintain  £5000 in a separate savings account and that in spite of the accounts looking quite healthy, we should still be careful with expenditure and income.

It was agreed that £500 would be donated to each of the two chosen charities, Riding for the Disabled and St Peter and St James Hospice. Frank presented each with their cheques. The Society is still committed to finalising the phone box which has been temporarily brought to a halt due to waiting for the electricity supply to be cut off.

The accounts were agreed and signed-off.

7. The Year Ahead:

The telephone box project will be moving forward as soon as the go-ahead is given to cut off the electricity.

Ideas to consider regarding Open Gardens included having a Winnie the Pooh Treasure Hunt, an activities hour for children, having children’s attractions in some gardens and reviewing stewarding of some gardens.   

For the Show, attendees’ suggestions included improving the lighting in the church and considering swapping the church and Hall exhibits. There was support for the idea of a barbecue but it was also noted that this would require more volunteers and help. Having music to provide additional entertainment and to draw in more people was discussed and this will be explored in our future meetings.

Suggestions for the CHHS 2026 charities will be considered early next year and Denise explained that those chosen by the committee would need to be registered charities. The Shed in Forest Row, Headway, Queen Victoria Hospital Charity and The High Five Club were names put forward at the meeting. Committee members will also be asked to nominate before a decision is made.

The next members event, a three-way quiz (Hartfield, Colemans Hatch and Groombridge Horticultural Societies) will be held in February. The date, venue and organisation of this quiz will be the subject of future discussions between the three groups.

The committee will discuss the above matters in their 2026 meetings.

8. Presentation of CHHS donations to our nominated charities: 

Joanna Macintyre, Secretary of Eridge Riding for the Disabled and Wendy Agate, Relationship Fundraiser for St Peter and St James Hospice were each presented a cheque for £500 by Frank. Joanna and Wendy were delighted and expressed their thanks.

9. AOB:  There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm

Next CHHS Committee Meeting:

A provisional date of Wednesday February 18^th was proposed but this is to be confirmed.