When is an annual parish meeting not an annual parish meeting?

The answer is that it is always an annual parish meeting (also known as an annual parish assembly), however it doesn’t need to be in the traditional meeting format. An Annual Parish Meeting must take place between March and June every year. It is a forum for the people of the parish to get together to celebrate what’s good about the parish, the successes of the last year, and to look forward to the next year. The meeting is not a Parish Council meeting, but they do tend to be organised by the parish councils.

(The confusion between annual parish meetings and annual parish council meetings – at which formal business including the election of the Chair is conducted – is partly caused by the similarity of the names and partly by the fact that some parishes hold the two one after each other on the same evening, so creating the impression that they’re different names for the same event.)

In the past, Cold Ash’s meetings have followed a pretty standard format of presentations, and maybe a guest speaker. This format tended to attract thirty or so parishioners. This year it was decided to try something different, and to treat the event as what it’s aimed to be, a celebration of the parish and an opportunity to meet people and share information.

Cold Ash’s event took place on Saturday 7 March at the Acland Hall. It was a true celebration, with eighteen community groups attending, including Ashmore Green WI, CAST (Theatre goers), Cold Ash Boy’s and Girl’s Football Club, Cold Ash Countryside Volunteers, Cold Ash Cricket Club, Cold Ash Fete Committee, Cold Ash Gardening Club, Cold Ash Greening Group, Cold Ash Heritage Society, Cold Ash Parish Council, Cold Ash Spoon Club, Cold Ash Tennis Club, Cold Ash Volunteers/Banking, St Finian’s School, St Mark’s Parish Magazine, and St Mark’s Church.

Each had a table and displayed information and/or examples of what they do or make. Activities were provided for children, and the community sheep, with their new baby lambs were there – always a good attraction. Tea, coffee and cake were provided by Ashmore Green WI, which raised funds for its chosen charity, Newbury Speakability.

Whilst the focus of the event wasn’t on presentations, the Chair of the Parish Council did a short informal address in which he thanked those attending, particularly those who were representing their clubs, societies and organisations for the work they do throughout the year that makes Cold Ash Parish such a vibrant place to live.

He also reflected on the slightly unusual nature of the parish, which includes two villages (Cold Ash and Ashmore Green), the hamlet of Henwick, part of the settlements of Thatcham and Newbury, the fringe of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape (previously the AONB), and stretches west to the Shaw Graveyard and north to Red Shute Hill industrial estate. The parish is a special place.

“The Parish Council works for you, and the money it spends is your money,” was his key message. “So, it’s important that you engage with it and share your views. The Parish Council sets a budget based on the services we believe you want. We don’t know if we are doing and spending more than you want us to or less, without your feedback. So, please do engage with us throughout the year.”

He highlighted the tables displaying information on two potential projects being sponsored by the Parish Council (a Sculpture Trail and Refurbishment of Hermitage Road Play Park) which attendees were asked their views on. There was also the opportunity to find out more about West Berkshire Council’s 20 mph initiative, the current position on the Local Plan and proposed developments, and the changes to the library services, which parishioners were asked their opinion on the options.

He concluded by presenting grant cheques to representatives from West Berks Therapy Centre, St Finian’s Scout Group and the Cold Ash Fete Committee. He reminded those present that it was their money that was being donated, so it’s important that they know where it was going.

The event attracted well over 100 people (probably four times the usual attendance). Initial feedback has been very positive, with many groups reporting that they’ve attracted new members or been encouraged to run different events. One of the most telling comments was from an attendee who thought it was very noisy in the main hall. And it was – there was a real hubbub, which is a real indication of the amount of engagement that was happening.

Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this such an informative and enjoyable event.

Ivor McArdle
Chair
Cold Ash Parish Council

Note: Hungerford switched to a similar exhibition-style format several years ago for its annual town meeting. This proved very successful and it’s persisted with it ever since.