We regret that the Thwing & Octon Community Benefit Society has now been closed. The small amount of money that was held by the Society has been given to the Parish Council, with a stipulation that it be used only for community benefit
The last AGM of Thwing & Octon Community Benefit Society was held on Monday 8th July 2019 at 7.00pm in Thwing Church Rooms Agenda Chairmans Report
Thwing & Octon Community Benefit Society
In 2017 Thwing & Octon Parish Council set up a sub committee to establish a means to save The Falling Stone pub for the benefit of the community and wider inhabitants.
The sub committee established themselves as the Thwing & Octon Community Benefit Society, with their own committee and constitution.
The society was registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, and was also a member of The Plunkett Foundation.
The Society had been set up by a group of like minded people who had come together with the aim of raising funds in order to be able to purchase and reopen The Falling Stone Public House.
Whilst the Society has now been closed down, should circumstances change and the pub become available for purchase, the society can be reformed, with our original aims in mind.
November 2018 Armistace Weekend
For those who don’t know, Thwing & Octon CBS was set up as a sub committee to the Parish Council, to establish a means of saving the Falling Stone Public House, and reopening it as ‘more than a pub’ for the benefit of the parish and wider community.
The CBS is now an official committee in it’s own right, being registered with the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), together with being a member of The Plunkett Foundation, who have provided advise, guidance and support together with some financial assistance to help us establish a platform to initially raise enough funds to bid for the pub and then to move forward to apply for grants to cover the costs of refurbishment and the building of a recreation hall and other facilities as requested in the Community Plan questionnaire. We are currently at an impasse with our plans, but have not given up hope.
I was approached at the September coffee morning as to whether something could be organised to celebrate WW1 Centenary and Armistice. The idea snowballed and as you know we had a very successful and enjoyable weekend.
I was fortunate enough to be successful in my bid for funding (through the CBS) and received a grant through the Armistice and Armed Forces Communities Programme, of the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, for the provision of the 5 silhouettes that were displayed in the church. There was also support from ERYC for communities to stage remembrance events. This fund was used to purchase the memorial plaque that is now a permanent feature in the village, together with covering the cost of advertising the event, tickets, license fee etc as well as a contribution to the choir. Because of the generous support of the ERYC nearly the whole of the proceeds from tickets and bar sales (£462.29) has been retained by the CBS and will be held for future community benefit. The proceeds from the raffle and tombola have gone to support the British Legion Poppy Appeal.
The CBS have been asked to stage further events during 2019, and we are working on several ideas.
We will however need your continuing support not just in supporting the event itself, but also by the team of helpers who made our remembrance weekend so memorable.
Thank you everyone
Sandra Morrison
Secretary