Minutes of Committee Meeting of the Friends of Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life 28 July 21 (Zoom)
1) Present: N. Lewis, , Ms J Wooding, M. Rosling, , P. Green, C. Stitt, M Lund, Mrs M McArdle, D Allardice & G Macgarr.
Apologies: M. Milbourn, K Moualem, M English,
2) Matters Arising not elsewhere on the Agenda.
Ongoing
Local History Groups to be contacted when they are meeting normally at the museum Action J W
RAF Association to be contacted to discuss some form of membership Action NDL
3) Magazine
An update of the Newsletter was given prior to the meeting as below:
WINTER 2021
Harlequin’s grave –(For info – on 21st February 1915 ‘Harlequin’ the new mascot of the 9th Battalion of The Border Regiment was run over by a motor car in Eastbourne. He was buried in a corner of the Battalion’s temporary home the requisitioned Compton Croquet Club and a gravestone erected by the battalion. His gravestone needs repair and Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life is launching an appeal for £500 to meet the costs. You can donate online at <https://www.cumbriasmuseumofmilitarylife.org/museum/donate/> Any surplus funds will be transferred to the Museum’s general donation fund.)
The Volunteer Engineers’ jacket
Goon Show units
Interview with Arroyo author
SPRING 2022
Mary Warren grave – David
Military Festival
Cricketing Chaplain
SUMMER 2022
Allan Mallinson biog/interview
Page turning ceremony – David
French drums pictures of Arroyo Days from the 1880’s onwards
The Editor explained that there continues to be more material than can be accommodated in 8 pages. He suggested that a 12 page quarterly could be created with lighter weight paper internally and cover as now might be produced for the same price as the current 8 page. The postage might also remain the same.”
4) Membership.
Membership: Currently the membership stands at 137. Three members have been sent reminders. Appears to be an issue with recurring payments via Paypal. It was pointed out that currently the Museums system could not do it. To be investigated Action ML & MR
5) Finance:
The report from the Treasurer was accepted with the update of £15622 in Bank.
6) Status of “Friends”
This major issue was tabled as it was reported that as the “Friends” is not a registered charity, gift aid on subscriptions should not be claimed. It is currently claimed through the museum itself and goes into the museum’s account but could be denied in future. Various concerns were tabled. If, as was suggested, the Friends became a subcommittee of the Trustees, concerns were tabled that members could be lost if asked to change bank accounts. It was suggested that current members could remain on one account and new members pay into new one which the museum would have to open with current Friends authorised signatories. Action Chairman
7) Curators Report.
Restrictions are being lifted slowly. Current footfall levels have stayed constant but relatively a god summer so far. Re-opening programme progresses with Veteran’s lunches starting next month, and Talks starting both online and in person in September. Summer Activities Workshops will be on during the school holidays. Some new acquisitions from regimental bands but still to be catalogued.
Friends are able to come into the museum now without pre-booking.
Requests for funding. The disabled persons stair lift will have to be renewed. This is likely to cost in the region of £40K and will be a major fundraiser for later this year. More details at the next meeting and will be a separate agenda item. Action JW & NL
Picture is now at the conservators awaiting completion
8) AOB
It is with regret that Jim Henderson has tendered his resignation due to ill health. We shall be sorry to see him go he has been a stalwart for many years. Letter of recognition to be written. Action Chairman
Suggested names of members of the Friends who would be useful committee members were discussed. Mr George McGarr was suggested and was to be contacted for availability Action MM
9) Date of next meeting:
Easyfundraising website which paid a small percentage to the museum after every purchase made to suppliers via their website. More users were needed to increase the donations
The original owner of the Easyfundraising had been discovered to be Tony Goddard. Matt Lund had taken over the site so allowing us to use it properly and access reports etc.
The Friends Open Evening for Friends and friends of Friends on 18Sep21 was discussed and the costs changed to £3.00 for Friends and £5.00 for friends of Friends Action ME & GMcG
The weight of paper used in the newsletter was discussed to reduce the postage. This was to be investigated Action PG
Fund Raising Notes
Fund Raising Notes
- Drive In film show in the Castle (has been tried by English Heritage but worth following up again). Two sites possible, Carlisle Castle or Corby Castle. Quite expensive & probably not profitable if Carlisle Castle used. More chance of profit if used Corby Castle grounds. Patron has a contact to help promote this. Discuss at next Committee Meeting
- 100 Club. All were in favour of it but with the following provisos:
We needed to make sure we had the numbers to make it worthwhile
Payment would be a yearly cheque if BACs not available
Winnings paid by BACs where possible
Publicity via the Newsletter & winners announced same way
Could be offered to non- Friends members
Electronic random number generator App to be sourced if possible.
(Reminder – general idea -100 members pay £1 per month by standing order, there is a draw using 50% of the income as prizes £25 first prize, £15 second prize £10 third prize – gives on this example an income of £50 per month or £600 a year). This can be done during Covid period since no personal contact is made. For further discussion.
YET TO BE DISCUSSED
iii. On line auction – beg prizes from members & any companies we can coerce and have either an on line Via zoom auction or draw by tickets . Again can be done during Covid times. For discussion
- Clay pigeon shoot – could be managed within current Covid restrictions either at a commercial shooting ground or at Corby Castle. For discussion
v Hog roast, garden tours
