Minutes of Trust in Yellow Members’ Meeting - Tuesday December 1

Apologies

Colin, Rob, Andy

 

1. Minutes of last meeting and matters arising.

The Mark Heaton tribute night took place after the match against Cheltenham Town on November 14 and was a great success. The amount raised for Marie Curie is to be confirmed but it is hoped that the final figure will be over £1,000. The money will go directly to the Walton Centre, who cared for Mark.

A special thanks to Howard for all of the work involved in organising the event and to everyone who helped on the day.

The initial batch of 50 calendars for 2016 have sold out and a second batch of 50 is now on sale. Thanks to Alan for producing the calendar which all agreed were excellent and should become an annual feature.

Thanks to Rob Urwin for arranging the quiz in the Grandstand Bar before the televised match against Eastleigh.

 

2. Treasurer’s report

The Trust’s total balance stands at £24,920.48 including net funds available of £24,877.48.

The club is yet to request the balance of the funds for the Trust’s contribution towards the floodlights project. The Trust has currently paid around 25 per cent of its total contribution.

A cheque for £255 has been paid to MacMillan Cancer Support in relation to the funds raised from the paintings which were auctioned at the 2005 reunion.

 

3. Memberships

The current membership is 220.

 

4. Trust’s Future Projects and Priorities

Rob English will be visiting the club so plans can be put together for the proposed bar behind the Jack Carr Stand. The club and disabled supporters will be consulted about the possibility of improving disabled facilities. It was agreed that these are the two ideas which will be considered with a view to deciding the next project to undertake.

Comments have been made in relation to poor state of the toilet facilities at the ground, particularly the ladies’ toilet, and these will be raised with the club.

The Trust remains keen to use the Premier League Fans Fund to employ someone on a part-time basis which would be mutually beneficial for the Trust and club.

 

5. Coach travel and proposed weekend trip

The fare to the match at Wrexham on Boxing Day is £10 members, £13 non-members. The coach departs at the earlier time of 11.30am. The Trust has been contacted by the landlord of the Black Lion, Wrexham, who welcome visiting fans. They have Sky Sports, a large selection of beers and are offering fans free sausage and chips and a free shot.

Initial costings have been obtained after the possible destinations for the weekend trip were narrowed down to two. A visit to Lincoln on the weekend of February 21 is likely to cost £110 per person for 40 people and £120 for 30. The notice period for a full refund from the hotel is 14 working days.

A weekend in Torquay for the match on March 19 would cost £84 per person for 40 people, and £94 for 30.The Trust would be liable for the full cost in the event of a cancellation within a couple of weeks of the match. This match clashes with the date of the FA Trophy semi-final second leg.

Now costings have been obtained, members will be asked for their thoughts to gauge the likely interest before a decision is made.

 

6. Programme of events and fundraising activities

A family Christmas party will be held after the match against Bromley on December 19. It will include music, party food and games, presents for children and the chance to meet Father Christmas. Thanks to John Wood of Mecca Bingo who has donated 200 Christmas hats for the party.

Proposed events in the New Year include a FIFA night, visit to the Parker Brewery, legends’ night and end of season awards. The Trust is liaising with Geoff Wilde in relation to the proposed legends’ night. Dates for these events will be confirmed shortly.

 

7. Tenth anniversary celebrations

This coming year, 2016, sees the Trust celebrate its tenth anniversary. Local schools and youngsters have been invited to take part in a competition to design a celebratory badge for the year ahead and the badge should be in place by the end of January.

 

8. Any other business

The Trust will contact the club regarding an official switch-on for the new floodlights.

There have unfortunately been production issues in relation to the plaque for the Trust office in memory of Phil Carder but it is hoped the plaque will be ready soon.

Members were disappointed to hear that Champion reporter Ron Ellis has recently had his press pass withdrawn by the club. The Trust would welcome a response from the club to clarify the situation. Martin, as chairman, will contact Ron, as a Trust member.

The Trust has been contacted by a member offering to help both the Trust and Club with the quality of their communications. The Trust is keen to accept the offer which will also be forwarded to the club.

 

9. Next meetings

January 12 (board), February 16 (members).

Please continue to send us expressions of interest in our Christmas Party by emailing fans@trustinyellow.com or texting 07861416859.

The REAL Santa will be there.

 

The supporters' coach to Wrexham is definitely running.

It will depart from the MCS Haig Ave at 11.30 am with the usual pick-ups at the Arion (11.10), the Crown and the George.

There will be no collections in Ormskirk as the coach will be going through the Wallasey tunnel. Bookings can be made by phoning/texting 07861416859 and is just £10 for members & £13 for non-members.

After discussion with members we have come up with two possible venues for our proposed weekend trip this year.

Option 1. Lincoln City. Weekend of Friday, 20th February to Sunday 22nd.

Option 2. Torquay United. Weekend of Friday, 18th March to Sunday, 20th.

 

If you are interested in going on the trip (open to members and non-members) please read through the details below and let us know:-

Which of the two you would prefer as the destination and if you are interested in going on the weekends.

Please let us know as soon as possible as reservations and deposits would have to be made in the next few weeks. Call in a the Trust Office or email Martin Robinson at dmjrobinson@btinternet.com

 

Option 1. Lincoln City. Friday, 20th February to Sunday 22nd

The coach would leave Southport early afternoon on the Friday. We would be staying at the Lincoln Hotel near the Castle and Cathedral which is the same hotel we stayed at three years ago.

The price of bed and breakfast in a double or twin room and including coach travel to and from Lincoln and to and from the match would be £110 (if 40 booked) and £120 (if 30 booked).

(For a single room the equivalent prices would be £175 and £185).

For a party booking like this we would have to give 14 days’ notice to get a full refund which obviously would create problems in the event of a late postponement.

 

Option 2. Torquay United. Friday, 18th March to Sunday, 20th.

The quote we have had is from ALFA who not only run coaches but can organise hotels in certain resorts including Torquay. We would leave early on the Friday morning as obviously it is a much longer trip. The hotel is the Regina which is near the seafront.

The price of bed and breakfast in a double or twin room and including coach travel to and from Torquay and during the weekend is:-

£84 (if 40 book) and £94 (if 30 book). There would also be a charge of £12 for insurance unless you had proof you had your own travel insurance (A single room would cost an extra £15).

Cancellation fee. Full payment would be required for Cancellation within two weeks of the date which would affect postponement due to the weather or the fact that this is the date of the FA Trophy semi-final second leg which might affect either team.

 

If you require any further information please call it at the Trust Office on match days or contact Martin Robinson at dmjrobinson@btinternet.com.

If you are interested in going on these trips please let us know as soon as possible so a decision can be made to go ahead with a booking. The trips are open to members and non-members.