Introduction
The Association has for the last 36 years played a leading part in protecting and maintaining the character of our village and in safeguarding its amenities.
We have recently made significant donations to village organizations such as the Memorial Hall (£1,000) and Freshford Mill Association (£880). In previous years we have contributed to the cost of repairs to the Morris Lion in the High Street, to the provision of Millennium Stones around the parish boundary, to the cost of planting trees and bulbs and to the village school.
In addition, there has been a major contribution to the Parish Council towards the cost of representation at the appeal relating to the proposed development of the Freshford Mill site.
The Association organises social events through the year to raise money. These have included a "Race Night", a" Quiz Night", a BBQ at Homewood Park Hotel and a "Best of Britain" fish and chips supper among others.
Annual membership is £5 per person. However, if you do decide to join as members, you may wish to consider becoming Life Members for a single payment of £20 per person. Life Membership helps to reduce our overheads and simplify the administration of the Association.
Contact details
For details about the Friends of Freshford association, please contact Richard Blamey, Home Farm House, Brewery Lane, Freshford, BA2 7TX, 01225 720048
HOME FARM HOUSE BREWERY LANEAnnual Report 2005/2006
In what has been a very busy year, your committee has worked very hard and been mindful of objectives of the Association.
As previously, we participated in the Village Fete in June with a Coconut Shy. This provided great enjoyment for the children and raised £71 for the Village Hall.
In August we had a Jazz and Summer BBQ during a Sunday afternoon at the Poplars Wingfield. The pub provided excellent facilities as well as cooking some tasty food complemented well by copious amounts of cool lager and fulsome wines.
With fundraising stalls, a raffle, and a Name the Cow competition we raised £952.
In November a Race Night at the Village Hall, with a freshly - cooked Fish’n Chip Supper, followed by Marshfield Ice Cream gave us a surplus of £905.
On a cold and wet Sunday afternoon in November we were able to turn the clocks back with a 1940s Tea Dance at the Hall. Almost 80 people danced the light fantastic with the WI providing cucumber sandwiches and home made cakes and cups of Yorkshire Tea. £349 was added to the FOF coffers.
At the instigation of our two co-opted lady members, Helen Collins and Julie Forster it was decided to hold a Christmas Event on 22nd December at the Hall for all the family. There was mulled wine and mince pies : Father Christmas : a lucky dip from the bran tub : tom bola and a raffle : festive stalls : and carols sung by the children of Freshford School. Well over 100 people came to enjoy the festive occasion and £351 was made.
The second Quiz Night was held in February and was keenly contested by 20 teams from Freshford and Limpley Stoke. They represented a number of local clubs and societies as well as individual groups of friends. Freshford School retained The Friends of Freshford Trophy by a narrow margin and will defend it again in 2007. A wholesome ham and cheese ploughman’s supper was consumed with a wide range of tarts and gateaux. £738 profit resulted was made.
Our total income for 2005/6 was £5590.
This included receipts from subscriptions, the Century Club and profits from events.
The Century Club was launched on January 1st. 2006, another great idea from Julie and Helen. The aim was to sell 100 entries to a quarterly Draw. The entry was £10 each and gave the owner opportunities to win £100 as well as a number of other cash prizes.
So what did we do with the monies raised?
A major donation was made to the Parish Council as a contribution to the costs involved in retaining the services of a leading planning expert in the independent enquiry regarding the proposed residential development at Freshford Mill.
Other donations were made to:
- Music and Drama Society - £400 for an entertainment centre for use in future productions.
- Village Hall - £390 for a new cooker for the kitchen
- St. Peters Church - £365 contribution towards improving the lighting in this historic building.