Minutes of most recent committee meeting

Halling Historical Society

Minutes of meeting of Thursday 2 November 2023
Present: Dawn Hinkley (DH) (Chairman), Philip Badman (PB) (Secretary), Geoff Lee (GL)
(Treasurer), Matt Wells (MW), Paula Glanville (PG), Alan Hinkley (AH), Ian Wilkins.
1. Apologies for absence:
2. The Minutes of the meeting of 5 October 2023 were accepted as a true and correct
record.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda):
‘Across the Low Meadow’ donation PB had investigated and found a copy of the book on
e-Bay for £35. It was decided to offer it to members in an auction at the November meeting
with a reserve price of £25. Donations would be invited for the rest of the selection of books
donated.
4. Correspondence: None.
5. Treasurer’s report: Current account: £328.33 Deposit account: £606.92
Cash|: £33 Total: £968.25
6. Building history plaques project - update: The proofs had been received from the
proposed manufacturer but were in upper case for the body of the text on each. Members
considered various minor changes to texts and PB would send these revisions to the
company and require the main body of text in upper and lower case. Once revised proofs
are received these can be passed to owners for their signed consent then listed building
consent applications be made to Medway Council for the three listed locations, followed by a
funding request to Halling Parish Council. PB had discovered that MCL Builders, who
installed the Sgt Harris plaque, is no longer trading so another local builder would be
needed to install the historic building plaques. A request would be posted on the Simply
Halling Facebook site. Proofs would be displayed for information at the next meeting at the
next talk. There is a need to check with the new publican at The Five Bells for agreement to
a plaque there and possibly require consent from Admirals Taverns.
7. Bishop’s Palace update: There having been no further progress or action by
Medway Council to apply for a Scheduled Monument Consent, a letter was to be sent to the
two local ward members seeking their help to progress matters. Historic England would
also be contacted to make the case for railings.
8. Medway History Fair review: The Society had had a stand at this event and there
was discussion as to whether this had been worthwhile. It was felt to have been good,
making useful contacts but would benefit from better advance planning,.
9. Programme Planning 2024: PG reported on the latest draft of talks and visit. It was:
- 19 Feb Adam Taylor ‘Medway Muddies’ @ £80 (confirmed, with programme text);
- 15 April Jonathan Fenner ‘Medway Meanderings’ @ £95 (confirmed with
programme text);
- 17 June Jeremy CLark ‘Knights Templar and Temple Manor’ @ £93 (confirmed, with
programme text);
- 15 July, Visit to Rochester Bridge Trust (confirmed, text awaited);
- 16 Sept Rod LeGear ‘Chalk MIning in Kent’ @ £50 (confirmed with programme text)
- 18 Nov Chris Howick, ‘Romans in Snodland’ (confirmed with programme text).
AH is finalising a mini listing for the next meeting and also the main programme leaflet. PG
was commended on an interesting programme.
10. Risk Assessment: AH had contacted the Jubilee Hall asking for any risk assessment.
AH presented a draft for the Society and would continue its development. AH would send
the draft to PB to send on with minutes for members to consider any amendments.
11. Programme Secretary search: DH would announce the vacancy again at the
November meeting but if nobody comes forward then MW is in reserve. GL would continue
as Treasurer until the next AGM.
12. Collaboration with St Andrew’s Lake history project: An approach had been received
from a member of Snodland Historical Society (SHS) who was assisting the owner of the St
Andrew’s Lakes water recreation centre with information for proposed cement works history
boards to be erected on the site. HHS was invited to contribute information. PB had met
with the SHS member and provided photos and information held by HHS. It was hoped that
both SHS and HHS would be acknowledged on the board with possibly a donation for their
help.
13. Collaboration with Halling Gardening Society (HGS) HGS is planning a similar annual
programme leaflet to that published by HHS. MW and PB are also members of the HGS
committee and a proposal had been made that the two leaflets be delivered together, with
equal numbers of HGS and HHS members delivering, so reducing the number of leaflets to
be delivered per person. This was agreed.
12. Next talk arrangements: As confirmed at the last meeting.
13. Any Other Business:
a) Xmas tree at St John’s Church, GL is to locate the tree, and PB is to locate ornaments
and pass to MW who will decorate at the church.
b) PB queried that new members of the Facebook page seemed to be admitted and queried
if is PB or AH or is there another admin, PB will check and admit AH and also MW to gmail
address.
14. Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 8 February 2024, 2pm at 168 Bush Road, Cuxton