Annual Report presented by the Secretary to the AGM held 14th June 2011.
The report runs from March 2010 to June 2011.
Last years report said “This has been a different year, a good year, reflecting on and appreciating the value the Stute adds to the community and
the village”.
This year has been mixed - good in that groups have continued to thrive in these times of recession and we have 3 new groups at the Stute all of
which include activities for young people, one of the identified needs of the town, however, it is not all good news this year with the building in need
of attention and investment for the future.
Activities:
Regular activities using rooms continues with Tae Kwon Do, Exercise classes, Little Stars, Lighthouse Centre, Adult Learning classes, Town Council meetings,
table-tennis group & gaming group. Occasional additional room hire has included Road Recovery meetings and additional sessions of the Gaming group.
Little Stars Pre-School are able to offer free places as funding is now in place. 3 new groups have been formed, two of which cater specifically for young
children – Mini-Dribblers football and Dance fit/fun, the third is Ju Jitsu, this has both junior and adult members.
Exercise class for 60+ Celebrating a 99th birthday. The group provides exercise and also important social contact. For those that live on
their own this helps prevent isolation and friendships have developed.
In addition to the activities above there are also the Stute’s own activities of snooker and pool and table-tennis, these continue to be available on
weekdays 5:00 – 10:00pm for members. In support of young people under 18’s are able to join for half-price and play for half-price before 8:00pm, thus
enabling local youth to have somewhere to go, something to do, keep out of mischief and all at accessible prices. Two teams continue to meet at the ‘Stute
and play in the local League, these are mainly young men with the support of adults.
Two days each week the senior’s open and run sessions for their own age group, this is also offered at a much reduced price so that cost isn’t a barrier
to participation. The group members and the ‘Stute Management are pleased that the volunteers are willing and able to do this. These sessions are popular
and provide a valuable service to the community that enables older people to be active and remain in contact with others rather than become isolated.
A collection was made in the group for the volunteers, the management are grateful to the volunteers for donating this to the ‘Stute refurbishment funds.
Some of the fundraisers of the snookerthon and a typical group of seniors that run their own sessions in the building providing activity and social
contact.
Management:
Management of the facility continues to be by a small group of volunteers, we were pleased to welcome a new committee member Mr James Harper onto the
committee he is working hard and contributing greatly. There are just 2 paid part-time staff.
We are fortunate to have dedicated and willing staff in Geoff Taylor and Pearl Berry. Geoff has undertook and passed a Hazard awareness course and has
been involved in doing the risk assessments and routine health and safety management. Pearl has continued to contribute both within her work but also with
additional activities such as, bringing and putting up Christmas decorations, donating kitchen items to support the snooker League and even mending a
floorboard in the gym.
Thanks go to James Harper and Geoff Smith for helping to keep the snooker hall open during the steward’s annual leave.
Website and PC:
Volunteer Brannon Cope continues to run our website of which we are proud. It includes some history of the building and also current details and activities,
this can be viewed at www.thestute.co.uk
Geoff Taylor, the steward, being initially a non computer user has continued to develop his skills in this area, Brannon has provided both support for
this and also support when the computer has needed attention. A wireless router has been purchased and an external hard drive to extend capabilities.
Many thanks to Brannon for his continue support.
Blue Plaque:
The Hinckley Times reported on the first Blue Plaque for Earl Shilton as follows:
“A BLUE Plaque commemorating the achievements of former world amateur and professional billiards champion Norman Dagley is now outside the community
centre where he first learned the sport.
The plaque on Earl Shilton Social Institute was unveiled by borough and county councillor Janice Richards in the presence of Norman’s brother Ken Dagley
and borough council conservation officer Barry Whirrity.
Norman, who was born in the village in 1929 and continued to live there until his death in 1999, was taught to play billiards at the ‘Stute on Station
Road by Reg Wright of Barwell, going on to dominate the game at world level during the 1970s and 80s.”
Thanks go to Paul Statham for playing an instrumental part in the organisation of this.
The Building and Facilities:
16 New chairs were purchased for the front meetings room.
Earl Shilton Camera Club continue to display their photos in the meeting room, this enhances the room and supplies an interest as well as raising
awareness of the group. Photos are changed periodically and in appreciation of this a room was provided for their annual meeting.
Having identified a need to support users that are hard of hearing 2 successful grants were obtained to provide a hearing loop system, this has been
ordered and is awaited, thanks go to Julia Pittham for applying and the Town Council and Communities Together LCC for their support with grants for this.
Having celebrated the Centenary of the Stute building just a short while ago we are now painfully aware that the state of the building whilst generally
good has developed some problems needing attention, some of which is urgent.
Main Hall roof:- the lead valleys on the gym roof have again been leaking, this was attended to in February 2010, with 10 year guarantee, in May
and October Burbage Roofing came back to deal with leaks.
Rendering to the front of the building:- The rendering was mended again in May 2010, after a bad winter it is falling off again and will need
attention. Quotes have been obtained.
In the summer of 2010 it was noted that there was a problem with a small part of the floor in the snooker hall, this was attended to by Brian George on
several occasions, however, the problem kept returning. Thanks go to Brian for his patience and perseverance, little did we know at that time what the
problem was. Later in the year an assessment was made by a volunteer building inspector thanks to Geoff, his verbal report was not good news.
The snooker hall floor had developed wet rot just 3 years after being re-floored, this came as a big surprise and not budgeted for.
Fixing the floor is not a simple or straight forward task. Trades people doing their own assessments have given conflicting “advice”. We undertook an
impartial building survey, thanks go to Nicholas and Associates for doing this at a cut price for our charity. We have applied for grants to help with the
costs and through some of these contacts we have also received impartial advice from LCC staff. Janice Richards, councillor, has been supportive by making
contacts within Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and also Leicestershire County Council. Councillor Chris Ladkin has also offered support.
Many hours have been spent getting quotes for the work, getting advice and on applying for grant assistance, we still need more funds and are still
deciding on the best course of action.
Whilst all the Committee are involved in this process James Harper and Julia Pittham should be thanked for their important contributions so far.
Attending to the snooker hall floor will be both costly and mean closure of the snooker hall whilst the work is done. In the mean time no-one is at risk
as the main area in question has been taken out of action, the snooker hall is still open but with only 4 tables playable currently. Members mostly aged
under 20 and over 60 need not worry for the time being their sport and leisure time is safe.
Also affected by damp are the boiler house and cellar roofs. The main part of the cellar has been taken down and increased ventilation has been made.
The boiler house roof is awaiting attention. A quote has been obtained.
Thanks go to Rob Phelps, (Ju Jitsu leader and local businessman) and a colleague for their interest and support with these recent building and funding
issues.
Fundraising:
A Coffee/cake and access to information on family history using the Census online raised valuable funds towards the hearing loop and general building funds,
thanks go to all the ladies of Julia’s classes for donating goods, making cakes, giving their time and generally supporting the Stute.
A special mention to Angela Di Santo and Maureen Judd whose enthusiasm helps to see the efforts come to fruition.
A Snookerthon, sponsored 24 hour snooker playing, took place in March 2011 and raised over £500, thanks to all the players, the sponsors and Geoff Taylor
and John Iddon for organising this.
Photos appear on our website courtesy of Brannon Cope, one is reproduced in this report.
Thanks go to Linda Bent and Rosemary Coe from the Local History group who donated money to the Stute refurbishments from their proceeds of talks on the
history of Earl Shilton.
To conclude:
The Stute is situated in the centre of the town, it provides a venue and activities that add to the quality of the users lives, it helps combat isolation
and helps to keep young people healthily occupied and less likely to commit anti-social behaviour. Could more be done? Yes. How? With more volunteers who
are willing to use their time for the benefit of the community. Are special skills needed? Not necessarily.
If anyone would like to know more or to help in any way please get in touch with any member of the committee below, we welcome any interest.
Geoff Smith
James Harper
Brian George
John Iddon
Paul Statham
Alan Liddle
Julia Pittham 01455 457696
Steward Geoff Taylor 01455 847273 Monday to Friday 5:00 – 10:00pm
Or contact by email at secr@thestute.co.uk
Or on the website www.thestute.co.uk