2017 Report

Report to the Annual General Meeting, 2017

This is my third report as Chair of the Trust and I’m pleased to be able to reflect on another largely positive year.

However, it is of note, as mentioned in my last report, that 2016 had started with some challenges following Storm Eva. Significant damage had been caused to the weir and adjacent paths on the Green. Trustees responded quickly making the site safe and seeking solutions to the damage caused.

In March, we attended a participatory budget meeting and are grateful to members of the public present for supporting our application and to the Parish Council for the ensuing financial support. The small grant received made a contribution to repair works, the installation of additional fencing and signage.

During the year, former Trustee Tony Jones moved to Norfolk. Tony had played a particularly active role for the Trust, previously as Secretary and as our fund raiser. I and fellow Trustee’s are very grateful for Tony’s input and have wished him well for the future.

As we will hear shortly from our Treasurer, income in the year was down on usual and whilst we remain in good financial health we must ensure that we attract further financial support to sustain our activities and the ongoing maintenance of the Green. Sponsorship and advertising revenues whilst quite modest do make an important contribution.

The village fete and fell race was held on Saturday 16 July 2016.  This year we were joined by a few new faces helping with the set-up, morning preparations and running of the fete. I think engaging new volunteers is a really important consideration for the Trust and we should reflect on how we can both attract new volunteers and make everyone welcome.

Staff from the Co-operative did a tremendous job helping at one of the entrances and Kevin Campbell-Wright was a new voice on the PA, covering for Richard Berry’s absence. All involved worked tirelessly to make the day a success and I am grateful to each and every one of them.

We again benefitted from a good selection of raffle prizes, thanks to Parish Councillor Joyce Harrop and the generosity of an anonymous benefactor. Thanks again to the hard work of the ticket sellers, the raffle made a positive contribution to the surplus generated by the fete, which will make a much-needed contribution to the upkeep of the Green.

At our September meeting we were delighted to appoint a new Trustee, welcoming Neil Brown to the Trust.

In the year we have held several working parties, repairing the paths and waterside, erecting a new warning sign and carrying out general cleaning and repairs. We were also pleased to be able to install a new path leading down the slope, a much-requested improvement by users.

Unfortunately, this year we have experienced a recurring issue on the lower Green caused by irresponsible dog ownership. Numerous holes have been dug which both spoil the visual amenity and create a hazard to users of the Green. Trustees would be grateful for anyone witnessing inappropriate behaviour to report the same.

I would like once again to thank Trustees, members of the Fete Committee and volunteers, for freely giving their time to ensure that Oxenhope continues to benefit from a village Green.

Thanks also to all those who support and attend the fete and those who use and care for the Green.

Chair, Oxenhope Millennium Green Trust

2016/17 Trustees

Ken Eastwood (Chair)

Chris Coupland (Secretary)

Andrew Collinson (Treasurer)

Celia Holmes

Jeremy Mackrell MBE

Richard Berry

Neil Brown

Our Sponsors

• Timothy Taylor & Co.
• Unique Unisex Hair Studio
• Upwood Holiday Park
• Whitakers Animal Feeds