Mission Statement, As Set out Previously;

18 September 2017

Members

Friends of Kingswood House 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2017

Mission Statement, as set out previously;

The Friends’ Mission is to celebrate Kingswood House as a community centre for the Kingswood Estate and as a Georgian and Victorian Grade 2 Listed Building.

Report

Last year’s report commented on the event supported in the 2016 calendar year, Open House Day, which fell on 18 September 2016, strictly within the Friends’ year subject to this report. I can now add to that report that;

• The performance fee for Beckenham Concert Band was £175;
• Net takings for cream teas, paid in to the Friends’ account, were £65.
• We welcomed one new member, who however lives some way from the Kingswood Estate.

Subsequently, the Friends have held one similar event, Open House Day on 17 September 2017, of which more can be said at the AGM, as this report is prepared before the event has been held. Preparations during the year included;

• Press releases sent to Southwark’s own media, and local press; and flyers displayed in Sainsbury’s stores and circulated to members for display;

• Hiring Beckenham Concert Band for the same fee;
• Cream teas provided by a team led by Joan Elsey;
• Photographic displays provided, as before, by Keith Holdaway and Melvyn Harrison;
• A welcome to visitors at the door by Nina Kennedy;
• Public access to the Culloden Room by Timebank staff;
• Laying out the rooms and terrace, and clearing up after the event, by the Centre Manager, Janice Francois, and her staff;
• Support from social friends to show visitors the House; and
• An illustrated talk by me.

The Committee thanks all those who have helped in this exercise.

The Progress of Renovation and up grading by Southwark

We have been able to prepare and hold the event amid works by Southwark. 17 September fell after completion of essential renovation to the outside of the building, which for some time required scaffolding, and before further progress and upgrading of internal toilet provisions, with some improvement to the kitchen, and internal redecoration, which are due to be completed March 2018 (the conduct of works being dependant on winter weather).

The Website

Jane Wenlock has continued as administrator of the website. Provision of the domain and hosting of the site continue to be by Fasthost, at a total annual cost this year of £95.50 (inclusive of VAT) paid by me as a contribution, and in the previous year paid by Kathy O’Brien.

The Committee in 2016/17

The committee throughout the year has comprised;

Chair and Treasurer; Joan Elsey

Deputy Chair; Janice Francois

Secretary; Penny Fuller

Council Representatives; Jon Hartley; Catherine Rose and Andy Simmons;

Crystal Palace Foundation; Melvyn Harrison;

South London Local History Society; Keith Holdaway

Dennis Parker, representative of KETRA, sadly passed away during the year, and there is no other KETRA representative on the committee

The Future

The committee have in mind up-dating the website, and participating in a relaunch of the House at a Kingswood Festival after completion of Southwark’s works, but a major obstacle is the lack of participation by the younger generation. In particular, to continue effectively, Friends needs within the committee;

A member who is fluent with IT to administer the website in future; a member as Treasurer (which should be independent of the Chair); and younger representatives who live on Kingswood estate. The Committee’s search for these has not yet been successful.

Yours sincerely’

Penny Fuller

Secretary