OVEG AGM 2015

The OVEG Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 19 March 2015. We hosted the event at Bushey and Oxhey Methodist Church on Chalk Hill.

OVEG Chair Ben Atkins reported that the group has ended its financial reserves policy this year. He noted that it has been no small feat. In practical terms, this means we can begin again to make capital investments in the community, which for two years have been on hold to ensure OVEG can continue to operate. It also means that we can consider Community Grant applications and investment in local causes and groups.

Despite the tight financial year, Ben noted the group’s achievements. The committee are proud to have installed a new war memorial on Oxhey Village Green, a project that wouldn’t have been possible without Malcolm Wright, a local resident who donated his expert labour. It also wouldn’t have been possible without Andrew Filer, John Drummond and Ruth Blake, all ex-OVEG chairs who kept the matter firmly on the local agenda. Ben also extended thanks to Ian Mackay for designing and championing the project, along with Jill Ibbott, who has family members named on the plaque. The project was completed in time for our Remembrance Day 2014, which poignantly marked the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Committee members standing down at this AGM were Richard Charnock, Ruth Blake, Paul Sherwood and Morag Jordan, all of whom Ben said had made a huge contribution to Oxhey Village over many years.

We proposed an increase in membership fees to £4 per year. We acknowledge that this represents a significant increase from the previous £2.50 for two years, but sought agreement from members that in order to invest in the community, this is still great value for money. It was noted that OVEG’s costs escalate each year, and in order to continue to share resources with local causes, put on excellent events, and leave OVEG in a stronger financial position, we need to generate more funds from membership.

The following members were elected to the OVEG committee:

• Ben Atkins – Chair
• Gavin Ellis – Deputy Chair – Secretary
• Stephanie Thiers-Ratcliffe
• Ellen Millington – Treasurer
• Michelle Potts Barton – Membership Secretary
• Kim Baxter – Fayre Co-ordinator
• Douglas McQuaid- Village Liaison Officer
• Matt Acornley – Publicity Officer
• Carrie Maestas – Newsletter Editor
• Ian Davis – Committee Member (Events)
• Alan Luto – Committee Member (Village Liaison)
• Sue Kelly – Committee Member
• Rob Kirby – Committee Member