9 attendees: DB = Diana Betts, OC = Owen Clutton (Chair), PL = Peter Lowe, AM = Angela Martin, GT = Geraldine Thompson, RW = Roger Wright (Secretary), Fr David, BF = Breda Ford, JA = June Adams.

Agreed actions shown in bold red type.

1.       The meeting opened with prayer led by Fr David.

An apology for absence had been received from Mary O’Mahony.

2.       Minutes of last meeting

All actions had been completed or would be discussed during the meeting.

3.       CAFOD

Lent Fast Day would be on Friday 19 February with talks to be given at all Masses at the weekend of 13-14 February.  These would take place just before the final blessing.  RW agreed to compose a reduced version of the text sent by CAFOD.  He would give the talk at 6pm and 9.15pm Masses and PL would cover 11am.

4.       Foodbank

DB would take over the ad hoc deliveries to the Foodbank from RW in early February.

Fr David agreed to a full collection of food to be arranged for the weekend 12-13 March.

5.       Parish overseas project

OC reported that £1,763 had been raised from the special collection and the 2015 Traidcraft profits.  This would be transferred to Fr Alex as soon as it could be arranged.  The bank charge would be about £25.

A parishioner had been in discussion with Fr David and Fr Alex about visiting St Helen’s for about a month to help the parish.  However, her trip had been cancelled due to concerns about the Zika virus which had become prevalent in most South American countries.

OC would be talking to the Confirmation Group on Monday 01 February about the Peru project.  He had a selection of slides ready to display.

6.       Quiz Night planning

RW suggested the evening’s discussion should cover ticketing, setting-up, fish and chips, raffle and prizes, and volunteers.

Ticketing

It was agreed that the prices would be adults £12, children £6 and a family of four £30.  The feedback from last year’s attendees seemed very favourable to such increases.  There will be 14 tables of 6 persons each.  RW showed a proposed poster which stated that tickets could be ordered 13-14 and 20-21 February.  It was agreed that the earlier date was impractical because it clashed with Fast Day envelope distribution.  OC suggested the poster should include an email address for ticket ordering.  Orders for 26 tickets had already been taken.  Those at the meeting duly ordered their tickets.

Setting-up

The hall would not be available until 5.15pm and even this was dependent on the goodwill of Sue David moving the First Holy Communion children into the small hall as she did last year.  Hopefully the tables (opened) and chairs can be stacked at the end of the hall before class starts to speed up their arrangement.

Doors would not be open until 7.00pm (earliest) with the quiz starting at 7.30pm.  OC would ask for the bar to be open before the start and during the interval.  Cutlery would be wrapped in napkins and water jugs placed on each table.  Tables will be labelled A to N and a short piece describing the St Helen’s parish placed on each one.  The raffle prizes and a reception desk would be set up.  Quizmaster Terry Wills plans to arrive at 6.30pm and will need the flip chart stand (in the meeting room?).

Fish and Chips

OC had received information from Mary O'Mahony before she went away and Village Fish and Chips were aware of our requirements with an approximate number.  This would be finalised nearer the day.  The supply of condiments such as vinegar, salt and ketchup should be agreed with the shop.  Many people brought their own last time.

Raffle and prizes

GT agreed to organise and run the raffle (it went extremely well last year), selling tickets before the quiz starts and during the interval.  Some prizes had already been found.  The quiz prize would be the usual six bottles of wine.  These will be donated by J&P members at the next meeting.

Volunteers

There will be Traidcraft stalls that weekend so two people will be unavailable to help at the quiz initially.  Most agreed they would attend a Sunday Mass so as to be available from 5.15pm.  Tasks would be volunteered for at the next meeting when RW will have a list of needs for discussion.

7.       Traidcraft

DB presented the 2015 accounts which are shown as an appendix to the minutes.  The profit was not quite as good as 2013 but exceeded 2014.  £400 would be added to the funds going to St Helen’s as a result.

The rota for the stall on 30-31 Jan was agreed as follows:

Sat	6pm	Diana	Roger
Sun	9.15am	Geraldine	Angela	Peter
Sun	11am	Angela	Owen	Geraldine/Diana

8.       Manna Centre collection

The collection of clothes made on the weekend 16-17 January 2016 was very successful with a huge pile of bags donated – many due to bereavement.

9.       Jesuit Refugee Service

OC outlined the volunteering opportunities at their head office in Wapping.  Anyone interested in helping should contact them direct using the first link below.  The work at Gatwick would be quite challenging and really needed specialist knowledge of immigrant problems and perhaps the law.

The relevant links to JRS are as follows:

Head office            http://www.jrsuk.net/volunteer/

Gatwick                 http://www.gdwg.org.uk/

Prayer service

http://www.jrsuk.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/The-Star-Still-Shines-JRS-UK-2015.pdf

10.     Any other business

OC would be away for two weeks missing the next meeting but return in time for the quiz.  Mary O'Mahony would also be back in time for the quiz.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.10pm.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at 7.45pm.

Traidcraft Stall Accounts 2015

Invoices 2015
Invoice date	Invoice number	Amount	Description
07/01/2015	2471462	£150.84	Jan stall
26/02/2015	2489067	£365.29	March stall & eggs
17/03/2015	2497051	£90.58	Eggs plus
15/04/2015	2504468	£221.16	April stall
27/05/2015	2512665	£240.76	June stall & plant sale
09/07/2017	2522241	£132.71	July stall
24/08/2015	2530713	£211.92	Sept stall
10/11/2015	2564592	£537.57	Nov. stall & Christmas mkt.
27/11/2015	2581284	£84.42	Dec extra stall
		£2,035.25

Receipts 2015
Date of receipt	Amount	Description
19/01/2015	£228.10	Jan stall
16/03/2015	£287.47	March stall
22/03/2015	£164.10	eggs plus
27/04/2015	£228.86	April stall
15/06/2015	£228.39	June stall
20/07/2015	£213.95	July stall
21/09/2015	£327.75	Sept stall
23/11/2015	£520.31	Nov stall
13/12/2015	£204.97	Dec small stall
	£2,403.90

Credit - £368.65 (receipts – invoices)

31 December 2014 account in credit - £94.77

Total in credit at end December 2015 – £463.42

Donation to parish overseas charity, St Helen’s Parish, Peru £400

Balance for 2015 - £63.42 credit

Unsold stock (included in paid invoices) approx. £134.00 (all within sell-by date)