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NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DRAMA ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Council held on Tuesday 16 July at Aspley

Present: Joan Wildgust (Chairman), Neil Mackintosh (Treasurer), Roy Ainscough, Bob Wildgust, Linda Whitehurst, Howard Whitehurst, Tony Vokes, Madeline Lord.

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Christine Davison, Jack Barrett, Mel Reynolds

2 MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING - The minutes of the previous Council Meeting held on Tuesday 14 May had been circulated and these were signed as a correct record.
Matters arising - Roy Ainscough reported that SHUG appeared to be losing the battle to preserve the Stamford Hall Theatre in a form which would make it available to, and suitable for use by, local drama groups, with plans to preserve the auditorium but not the entire theatre. Due to security issues there would also be problems with severely limited access . The degree of support provided by the Theatre Trust had proved to be disappointing. However, the final decision rested with the government, and it was agreed that Mike Dowdswell should be asked to arrange a SHUG meeting to discuss possible further action.

3 HON TREASURER'S REPORT - as at 18 September 2012
Balance = £8140.5
NS&I = £2289.94
Current = £5610.56
On Hand = £240
Decrease = £398.12
SINCE LAST MEETING
INCOME
Play of the Year Competition
1 x adjudication only = £60
Youth Play Festival
Refreshment Receipts = £14.13
Annual Dinner & Award Ceremony
Receipts - 113@ £23 each = £2599
OPERATIONS
Subscriptions -
Group Membership - 12 @ £25 each
Individual Membership - 1 = £15
TOTAL = £315
EXPENDITURE
Play of the Year Competition
Adjudication Fees
Stephen Godward = £606.50
Bob Wildgust = £342.50
TOTAL = £949
Youth Play Festival
Adjudication Fee - Gordon Parsons = £103
Annual Dinner & Award Ceremony
Venue Bill - Welbeck Hotel
115 meals @ £19.95 each = £2294.25
Gurd Award
Award Payment to Les Terry = £40
RESULTS
Annual Dinner & A/C
Income = £2599.00
Expenditure = £2294.25
Profit = £304.75
Gurd Award
Income = £2.69
Expenditure = £40.00
Loss = £37.31

4 FESTIVALS
a) Play of the Year 12/13 and Dinner
Once again a very successful competition, and it was noted that several awards this year went to groups which had taken part in Bob Wildgust's Directors' Course. Tony Vokes suggested that, bearing in mind the cost of adjudication, the written part might be more constructive, since groups need positive suggestions on how they might improve, This was agreed, and consideration would be given as to how this might be achieved. Linda Whitehurst was thanked for her work in organising the very enjoyable annual dinner, and reported that a booking had already been made for next year at the same venue, the Welbeck Hotel
b) One Act Festival -
. From 2014 there would be a change to AETF national regulations whereby the winner of the preliminary round plus the runner-up would participate in the quarter finals - so two winners going forward, subject to the runner-up being considered good enough.
. Bonington Players have offered to host the 2014 festival, with the preferred dates being 7/8 March, or alternatively 2/3 February, Howard Whitehurst agreed to check availability.
. Work needs to be done to round up sufficient entries, and Bob Wildgust has this in hand. West Bridgford and the Lace Market were both reported to be showing interest
. With two successful entries proceeding to the semi-final in Leicester on 26 April (rather than just one as previously) the financial assistance offered by NANDA will still apply.
. It is Nottinghamshire's turn to host the 2015 quarter-final, which will be held in mid-April and Bonington, Long Eaton, or Lakeside were suggested as possible venues, depending largely upon the costs involved. The budgets of the various divisons supporting the event vary wildly, ranging from £800-£1500 depending upon the cost of the venue, with Leicestershire estimating £900. Howard Whitehurst undertook to find the best possible price for a full Saturday booking at the Bonington Theatre.
. It was agreed that NANDA would be prepared to sponsor AETF as a PR/prestige exercise, with NANDA organising and taking ownership of the event.
. Bob Wildgust emphasised that it was to our advantage to maintain a link to AETF. He reported that the AETF AGM was to be held in Solihull on Sunday 22 September and expressed the hope that a NANDA representative might be able to attend.
. It being agreed that NANDA needed a publicity officer, a letter had been drafted and was approved for circulation to member groups in search of a suitable candidate.
(c) Youth Festival
This year's Festival was a great success and enjoyed by all who took part. The question was raised whether the sets could perhaps be made somewhat more imaginative than the usual plain backdrops, though it was also accepted that this would raise inevitable problems with transport. Jean Lebeter and Sonya Oates to be asked for their opinion on this matter. It was agreed that Chilwell should be used again next year, and that the booking - proposed dates 9/10 May - should be made before the school closed for the summer holiday. After contacting local schools a number had shown an interest in taking part in the Festival.

5 THEATRE LUNCH - Jack Barrett is looking at a number of interesting possibilities, including Matthew Kelly, Simon Callow, David Hasselhoff, Felicity Kendal and Sue Pollard.
.
6 NEWSLETTER/WEBSITE - The Lace Market, via Jack Barrett, had reported that they were very sorry to have lost the newsletter, and there had also been a number of individual messages of regret. Howard Whtehurst stressed, however, the ease with which the Facebook page could be accessed by anyone with a computer. He also suggested that a link should be established with the AETF website, and this was agreed.

7 CORRESPONDENCE - there was no correspondence

8 AOB -
. Howard Whitehurst reported the appointment of a full-time manager and part-time technician at the Bonington Theatre, due to re-open on 28 September,
. Roy Ainscough reported that he had resigned from writing a column for the Evening Post. After some discussion it was agreed that Howard Whitehurst and Bob Wildgust would make one contribution each, and then suggest to The Post that NANDA could contribute the occasional article related to theatre matters.
. Insurance of trophies - after some discussion, and bearing in mind the high cost of valuation and insurance, it was decided to leave matters as they stood. Winners of the trophies would still be required to exercise due care and diligence in safekeeping, but there would be no further liability except in the case of deliberate negligence.
. Provisional Council Meeting dates were set for year starting September -

9 DATE OF NEXT MEETING - The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 September at 7.00 at Arnold.
Future meetings 9 Sept, 15 Oct, 12 Nov, 17 Dec, AGM 26 Jan, 11 Feb, 11 March, 15 April, 13 May, 10 June, 15 July.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 8.45 pm