Present:

Councillor Neil Cooper- Ex Officio President-
Chair of the Lincolnshire County Council

Committee:

Member Associations

Cherry Willingham - T & M Hancock
Ludford - Caroline Feit
Market Rasen - Mr & Mrs W. Johnson
North Hykeham - Geoff Hopper
Spilsby- J Marshall
Swineshead - Phil Boseley, Sue Boseley
Washingborough - Joyce Frost, Julia Aspinall
Welton - P Baily & S OwenJ C

1. Welcome

The Chairman opened the meeting and thanked everyone for coming.

2. Introduction
The Chairman introduced our new Vice Chair Bonny Smith to the meeting and the other committee members present.

The Chairman discussed new twinning possibilities, Scothern had recently made enquiries again on setting up a twinning, and we are ready to give them any help they require as and when necessary.
Washingborough have also shown interest in being twinned with somewhere in Holland. We have been able to give them an email contact address which is the authority for twinning in Holland.

We now have three organisations who are twinned in a three way twinning arrangement. They are Stamford twinned with Vence in southern France and Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic; Willingham by Stow, twinned with Moyennville in Picardie France and Postrelmov in the Czech Republic; Spilsby twinned with Fresnay-Sur-Sarthe in France and Bassum in Germany.

3. Invitation for ex officio president to speak to the meeting
Councillor Neil Cooper stated he had been involved with twinning for many years at Burgh Le Marsh twinned with Beaumont Sur Sarthe, France. He reminded the meeting that Europe had been at peace for 66 years and our twinning links can only help to maintain this peace. Councillor Cooper also inform the meeting of ways Burgh Le Marsh raise funds for their association - Bonus Ball Lottery and car boot sales of donated goods. Councillor Cooper also recommended a very good and reasonably priced bus company for travel to Europe - Copley's Coaches. Councillor Cooper also mentioned the difficulty in obtaining Grants, but he has been able to obtain a name and email address of a person who will help with the completion of the grant procedure. This was passed to our Grants Coordinator John Polkinghorne who will make contact and report back.

4. Chairman's Report
The Chairman informed the meeting that this is the 23rd year since the Lincolnshire Twinning Federation began, 50% of our membership was created after the formation of the federation. 24 years on the impetus of twinning has slowed, but many twinning's have matured and strengthened over the years.
The Chairman went on to say we have grown to understand how different cultures live, discussed politics and perhaps even religion and over the years developed special relationships with families.
The Chairman pointed out he knew many associations now have difficulty filling their coaches as this can be an expensive way to travel, he also informed the meeting the rail travel to Europe is not always as expensive as it may appear especially if travelling as a senior .

5. Secretary's Report
The secretary stated there were few items to report since our AGM in May when 27 people attended and we were given a very interesting talk and visual presentation on Lincoln's twinned town of Tangsham in China by Andrew Taylor. The quarterly Management Meetings had taken place to discuss finance and any change in the Grant Procedure also any new twinning possibilities. The secretary asked the meeting to keep herself or the Chairman informed of any change in their committee members and email address.

6. Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer circulated a copy of the Financial Report for the period
1st May 2011 to 12th October, 2011.
Income for the period £25.90
Expenditure £203.49, net cash flow -177.59.
Balance at 30.04.2011 £2662.49 net cash flow £-177.59
Balance at 12.10.2011 £2484.90

7. Invitation for speakers to have their say re Fund Raising Several Associations gave the meeting ideas on how they raise funds for their association.

North Hykeham - 100 Club - members purchase a number one number for each month cost £ £12 per year a monthly draw is made the winning number gets £30 each month. Approx. fund raise £400 Membership fees raise approx. £100 per year Tea/raffle at meetings approx. £100 per year Silent Auction (a donated item is placed on a table with a piece of paper under, people write on the paper how much they would like to pay for the Item the highest bidder gets the item) a plate supper is provided £3.00 each. Fund raise £500.

Spilsby Quiz nights - Race nights raise approx. £600 - Beetle Drives Spilsby Youth Challenge - penalty shootouts - Trophy provided by council Positive move to encourage twinning they now have youth team twinning exchanges. John Marshall explained to the meeting how a race night functions Spilsby also have key rings, mouse mats, fridge magnets with Spilsby's and their twinned town's coat of arms on. These can be purchased at various Events.

Washingborough Jumble Sale in January £300 - £400 Dinner and wine evening raises approx. £600-1000 meals cooked by the committee. £15 a ticket 3 course meals and wine open to all in village. Queens's diamond jubilee quiz next year local fish shop to provide supper.

Stamford 100 Club - Stalls on Stamford Market selling donated items. Lunches and Dinners at committee member's homes charge made raises around £200 Beetle Drive - fish and chips served.

Swineshead Cheese and wine evening raised £600 - Safari Supper - starter at one house main course at another and everyone meets up for dessert at last house. Quiz nights on licenced premises with bring and share supper raises approx. £180

Other ideas suggested by the meeting were charging for a quiz on the bus trip to France or Germany. Car Boot sales in the grounds of the village hall and selling tea and cakes from the hall.

Councillor Cooper suggested purchasing pin badges with the coat of arms of your town or your twinned town, he provided a contact name for these.
David Steele 01754 890020.

The meeting was opened to the floor for questions and queries on the fund raising topics.

The Chairman closed the meeting and refreshments were provided.