Beckley & Area Community Benefit society Limited (BACBS)

BACBS Annual Members’ Meeting

At the BACBS AGM on 28 November, election results for an expanded Management Committee were reported. We are pleased to confirm that Adam Jeffrey and Lise Traynor were re-elected, and both Nin Kelay and Sam Francis were elected anew to the committee. Congratulations to all – there is much work to be done!

Members present at the AGM also supported a proposal to donate to a charity which offers hygiene education and installs sanitation in developing countries. The BACBS committee is exploring options - further news will follow.

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More than a Pub

The programme of ‘More than a Pub’ activities for December to February is attached. In addition to the events listed, we hope in the new year to begin community afternoon teas and community lunches (i.e. for Beckley and the wider area), and to reactivate table games. Please do check the arrangements for January and February nearer the time with local posters and the BACBS website - https://bacbs.org/

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Good Neighbours

At the AGM, a proposal was approved for the development of a Five Parishes Good Neighbour Scheme (5PGNS). The aim of the Good Neighbour Scheme is to make it possible for all members of our wider community to attend ‘More than a Pub’ and other social activities at The Abingdon Arms, regardless of infirmity, disability or lack of their own transport. The very successful Three Parishes GNS which serves Noke, Woodeaton and Islip will now make lifts available to our community pub. The proposed 5PGNS will liaise with existing provision in Beckley and Horton cum Studley and extend the availability of lifts to residents of Elsfield, Stanton St John and Forest Hill. There is no intention at this time to extend the 5PGNS remit to provide lifts to GP and hospital appointments and shopping as does the 3PGNS. Further information about this community initiative will follow. Readers will recognise immediately that volunteers will be needed to develop, coordinate and deliver this ambitious transport scheme, and the ‘More than a Pub’ programme itself! If you are willing to help, please email Mike Hobbs at mike.jd.hobbs@gmail.com

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Accessibility at The Abingdon Arms

You may have noticed that work has yet to start on construction of the new accessible toilet block and improved accessibility through the front door at The Abingdon Arms, though we do now have a disabled parking bay outside the front door!

We are still awaiting completion of technical and legal requirements before the promised SODC funding is made available. All being well, work will commence immediately after the new year. During the construction, high class, heated portable toilets in the car park will replace the existing tired, cold and largely inaccessible women’s and men’s toilets. Expect world class toilets from the spring or early summer!

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Literary evening follow-up

Those of us who in October attended Ursula Buchan’s highly enjoyable talk about her grandfather will want to know that her biography of John Buchan will be published in April 2019. Ursula has offered to provide signed copies at a reduced price to be confirmed. If you would like to reserve a copy, please email Mike Hobbs at mike.jd.hobbs@gmail.com

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