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Minutes of most recent committee meeting

Halling Historical Society

Halling Historical Society

Minutes of Thursday 6 February   2025 

1.    Apologies for absence: None

           A welcome was extended to Sue Hodges, attending as an observer and candidate for the Chair.

2.    The minutes of the meeting of 4 November 2024 were agreed as true and correct.

3.    Matters arising from the Minutes (not elsewhere on the agenda):

Forge Green:  An ordnance survey map of the 1800s showed the letters ‘sm’ at the possible site, which might denote a smithy.  PB was to visit Medway Archives Centre to undertake research. 

Aircraft crash enquiry: The location of the crash of the WW2 fighter in woods above North Halling had been passed to the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society.

Halling School 150th Anniversary: MH was to pass an old school attendance register to the School. 

4.    Correspondence:    An invitation had been received to renew the subscription to the Kent Archaeological Society and this had been paid, with ratification from the Committee.   

5.    Treasurer’s report:   Current account:  £552.67               Deposit Account: £680.63

In hand:   £47.23        Total: £ 1,218.56  

6.    Building history plaques project - update: The final owner consents had been received for The Five Bells pub, Walnut Tree Beer House, and St Andrews Park. The three listed building consents had been approved by Medway Council for 96 and 122 High Street and 1 Chapel Houses. Final proofs had been received for all the  building plaques and were approved by the Committee.  A proof for the Ted Gower plaque would need a small amendment which would be requested. 

The expected cost is  £98.40 each + carriage £90.00 and VAT, so for fourteen that is £1377.60 plus £275.52 VAT plus carriage of £90 totals £1761.12. The Committee agreed the Society would pay for the Ted Gower plaque at £120. An application for a grant of £1,650 was in preparation for Halling Parish Council (HPC)  for its meeting on 10 March.  It had been agreed with the Clerk that all councillors would receive a copy of the full application, and a display of the plaques and their buildings could be put up for the meeting.  PB would be on holiday so TY and JS agreed to attend the meeting, with the information display.  Failing HPC meeting all the remaining cost, other applications would be made to the Halling Association, Rochester Bridge Trust, Medway Council, and Kent Archaeological Trust for the balance.

‘Save the Date’ e-mails had been sent to all the agreed guests for the Unveiling Reception schedule for 16 June 2025. PB would concentrate on the technical set up for the evening, TY/ IW and JS would arrange collection of the buffet foods, drinks, and glasses and MW would organise the laying out of the buffet.

7.    Chairman and Agenda/ Minute Secretary search:  Sue Hodges had confirmed accepting the nomination to be Chair for election at the Annual General Meeting on 17 February.  No other candidates had come forward currently. If nobody came forward for the Agenda/Minute Secretary post, members would be invited to take on the Publicity and WebManager post and PB would continue as Secretary.
8.    Time capsule for Lake View Lodge care home: The management of the new care home under construction at St Andrews Park and due to open in February 2025 had contacted the Society and invited help with putting together a time capsule to be buried at the site.  Various items, including the Society’s programme for 2025 had been supplied and a ceremony was expected for later in February.

9.    150th Birthday celebrations for Halling Primary School:  The School had contacted the Society for help with information to support its 150th Anniversary celebration in 2026.  The arrangements would include a ‘Family History Hunt’ around the Society’s building plaques.
10.    Review of programme leaflet delivery arrangements:  Twenty members of the Historical and Gardening Societies had delivered the two annual programme leaflets.  The distribution plan had worked well this year.

11.     Arrangements for Talk and AGM Monday 17 February 2025:

Domestics…..IW and Sheila

Raffle…..DH on sales and purchase of prizes. Agreed prize fund to be increased to £20

Memberships: Two tables, one for visitors (PB), one for memberships (JS and AH)

Agenda for AGM - agreed

Committee recommendation of accounts 2024 - agreed

Committee nominations: MW would stand down if possible; all other members would stand again.

Officers’ reports:   Approved from Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for recommendation to members.

Speaker had confirmed, giving background and confirming  own equipment.

12.    Medway History Showcase 18/19 Oct 2025 invitation: Initial notice had been received for this event for 2025 with a proposal that it be over two days. It was agreed to contribute on both days,possibly asking other members to help on the stand.

13.    Any Other Business:  

PB had noticed an archaeological dig adjacent to New Court Road, Burham for a housing development and would enquire of the developer if the archaeologists would allow a visit to the site for members.

A member  had asked for details of the Bishop’s Palace campaign for submitting an article for the journal of the Society for St George.

Thanks were expressed to DH and AH on their retirement from the Committee and their strong support for the Society’s work.

PB would write to members advising that renewal subs could be paid by bank transfer.
14.    Date of next meeting:  Thursday 1 May 2025 at 2pm at Ian’s house, 168 Bush Road, Cuxton,