MINUTES OF THE FRIENDS MEETING
Held on 1st January 2011 at 8pm.
Present: Caroline Wilbud, Kate Inglis, Sally Griffiths, Anna Bell, Nia Chamberlain, Hester Woodcock,
Nancy Webb, Jo Williams & Chris Jones.
Apologies: Gillian Westlake-Toms, Gwenda Jenkins, Akemi Cuthbertson Smith, Sarah & Ian Worthy,
Teresa Bland, Andrew Brasington, Nicky Morris, Sarah Roberts, Rachel Cadman, Ruth Epstein &
Ann Klapholz.
Matters Arising:
There were no matters arising from the minutes of the EGM on 11/11/10
Change in roles:
It was agreed that Anna Bell & Caroline Wilbud would jointly share the role of Chair.
Sally Griffiths will now be Vice-chair.
Walks leaflets:
It was decided that Friends should buy a laminator for producing the walks and that getting them printed
professionally on a larger scale should be explored. Hester offered to source the laminator and sheets. Nia
agreed to hand over the existing stock of leaflets to Sarah & Ian Worthy to distribute to existing businesses.
Anna was happy to contact the businesses in Talybont to try and expand the number of outlets selling the
walks and Sally was happy to do the same in Pencelli. Anna & Sally said they would look into getting print
quotes.
It was decided that expanding on these walks was a good idea in both Talybont & Pencelli, to try and
capture some of the tourist market from Easter onwards. So Friends would like to develop some new walks,
Kate has offered to undertake the layout of these and Hester agreed to forward the existing documents in
pdf format.
An idea of trying to obtain sponsorship for these leaflets from local businesses was discussed, but in the
end this was felt to be complicating things unnecessarily at this stage.
HELP WANTED:
The Friends would like to ask for volunteers with local knowledge to write
some new walks - short and family-friendly - in the Talybont & Pencelli areas. Anyone interested please
contact one of us either by email or in the school playground. Or better still come along to our next
meeting on the 8th February!
www.friendsofllangynidrschool.co.uk
email llangynidrfriends@yahoo.co.uk
Christmas Fair review:
Father Christmas presents: Hester reported that she has a surplus of the Bonbon buddie gifts left over for use
next year. Caroline is writing a thank-you letter to Pauline at Bonbon buddies, and also will approach her
about the possibility of buying gifts at cost price in the future. Charging £2.00 in future to see Father
Christmas was considered acceptable if necessary.
Safe: Caroline is to look into buying a small safe for use at events in future. This would be stored in the
school office. A petty cash tin would also be helpful. A further discussion needs to take place about
keyholders and regulating the use of the safe.
Finale: Discussions were had about how else to end the fair, as it was felt that Gunge the teacher could not
happen every year. An idea was put forward about the possibility of a carol singing competition between the
classes.
Hampers: An idea was suggested for the children to put together themed hampers for auction at the
christmas fair. This woud be a class project whereby the teachers and their respective classes decide on the
theme and collect items to go into the hampers. This could be done as one per class, or as Juniors and
Infants. The winning hamper would get a prize. This idea to be discussed with Mr Brasington and the
teachers.
Craft stalls: The possibility of having three or four craft stalls in the nursery area of school was explored. It
was felt this would make the fair a bit more christmassy for the parents. Possibility of charging people to
have a stall and sell crafts, this would need to be tried out as someone selling cards this year did not really
sell anything. Class reps could perhaps ask around classes and see if any parents are interested.
Fundraising ideas:
Various ideas were suggested and discussed:
Fun run
Band & beer night or possibly a comedy night.
Event to co-incide with the Royal wedding.
Traditional family fun day with pony rides etc.
Kids disco
Childrens Stars in their Eyes
In 2012 the Canal is 200 years old - so big event to co-incide with this.
Sponsored walk:
This will be the next event planned to co-incide with Easter. Idea to plan two different walks, one for the
older children over Tor y Foel and a second one along the canal for the younger ones. The walk would end
with a BBQ at the Star in Talybont, Anna has kindly said that we can use their BBQ. Walk to start at 2pm in
Llangynidr village car park. Food served at Star between 4pm and 5.15pm, no cooking after 5.30pm.
All children that participate would get an Easter egg at the end of the walk - this is a change from being given
them in school. The walk would have an Easter theme and prizes would be given for the most inventive/bestdressed
costume. Also a possible prize for the child that raises the most sponsor money.
Chris Jones volunteered to make signs for marking routes. Idea for putting names on signs (egg-shaped) and
children have to collect names as they go along.
Sally offered to run BBQ and Richard Westlake-Toms was volunteered to help her! (to be confirmed)
Kate offered to put together a flyer for the walk and sponsorship forms.
www.friendsofllangynidrschool.co.uk
email llangynidrfriends@yahoo.co.uk
Burgers & sausages can be bought from Cashells (40p burger, 20p sausage).
Further details to be finalised at next meeting.
Sally agreed to phone environmental health and a risk assessment may need to be undertaken.
This walk was planned for the 9th April, but since the meeting we have realised that the Year 4 & 5 children
will have been to Stackpole 4th-8th April, which may be far from ideal as they will be worn out. Other dates
are 2nd April or 7th May after the Easter hols. This will need to be discussed further on 8th February.
* HELP WANTED: Anyone who could spare the time to help out on the BBQ would be very
welcome, many hands make light work!
An extra meeting is to be held on:
Tuesday 8th February at The Star in Talybont at 8pm.
The next meeting will then be in March on:
Thursday 10th March at 3.40pm