Chairman's Annual Report for 2005

Martin Easteal, 2006

I am pleased to report, at this our 10th anniversary, another very successful year for the Friends. We have seen the completion of the restoration of the House, a major achievement for which the Council, as well as the Friends, should be congratulated. We have a record membership and a record income.

We were very pleased to be invited to the Official Opening of the House in September which was a very memorable occasion. I also represented you at a visit by the Duke of Kent, and at the European Scout Jamboree held in the Park over the summer. It was marvelous to see so many young people enjoying themselves in the Park, and I look forward with keen anticipation to the World Jamboree next year.

I was pleased to welcome the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford to tea in January, when they met members of the "tea team". The Mayor subsequently held a Reception for the Committee in the Mayor's Parlour to mark our 10th Anniversary.

Our Society is in good health. All our many and varied events through the year were sell-outs - indeed we are reviewing how we may accommodate more members at future events, including the very successful Christmas Party. A record £3,770 has been added to our funds from these events. However we face a major increase in charges by the Council for next year which will need to be passed on to members in the cost of events.

The tea team had a record year and contributed over £5,000 to our funds. We were all shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Betty Woods who has been the life and soul of the tea team since its inception. She will be sadly missed.

Membership stands at a record 538. The Committee has reviewed the subscription which has remained unchanged for many years, but has decided to make no change for now.

Our finances are in excellent shape, with a good surplus which is available to purchase items for the House and Park. Our purchases this year have only been minor ones, but we continue to search the auction houses for suitable items to buy for the House, and we are reviewing purchasing items for the Park, such as a flagpole. Our funds are a vital element in the restoration of Hylands and provide items which go far towards making the House and Park the wonderful places they are.

The Newsletter has continued to provide information, both topical and historical, for members and also - occasionally - controversy. Our recent 10th Anniversary edition contained colour photos for the first time.

I am pleased to record my appreciation of the work of all my fellow Committee members and members of the "tea team". They all work very hard to make our Society the outstanding success that it is today. Sadly we say farewell to 3 committee members, the Vice Chairman Vicky Parr, and Con Johnson and Kathleen Foreman. My thanks and best wishes are extended to each of them.

The Friends stand at a cross roads in our development. To a major extent the original purpose has been achieved, with the completion of the House and the near completion of the Stable Block and Park. We can be very proud that this major task is being brought to a conclusion. The regular Sunday teas in the House will end when the Stable Block opens next year. Yet a vital role will remain for the Friends to protect what we have gained, to promote the use of the House and the Park by as many people as possible, and to provide funds for the puchase of those "extras" which add so much to the enjoyment of this "jewel in the crown".