AGM 19 April 2023

The AGM was well attended and well exceeded the 30 members needed to be quorate. All votes were carried.
• Minutes of the 2022 AGM were approved
• Accounts for 2022 were approved and have since been filed with the Charity Commission
• All trustees standing were re-elected: Jennie Kettlewell (Chairman), Silvi Spassov (Treasurer), Rhoddy Wood (Secretary), Nigel Brockmann (governance), Graham Franklin (member database), Sandra French  (art exhibition), Nicholas Hopkins (website), Joy Puritz (editor). 
• Roger Foreman was re-elected as independent examiner

Nicholas Hopkins reported on achievements in 2022: completion of the conservation of Holland House, completion of the quiet garden, installation of information boards on the history of Holland House, and continuation of the proactive tree health programme which can now be planned and assessed using the purchased meter that measures tree health. Rhoddy Wood reported there were just under 1,000 paid-up members at the end of 2022, which represents a steady increase following the pandemic. Silvi Spassov commented on the 2022 accounts. 

Chairman, Jennie Kettlewell, explained that members frequently say they appreciate our wonderful park, but there are always challenges. High visitor numbers result in erosion of grass and compaction of ground, for which there is no simple solution. Climate change, with extreme weather, causes plant loss and makes it difficult to plan. Drought and torrential rain were a challenge for the management of water. Current projects were conservation of the murals and the terra cotta bricks, with a longer-term project of conserving the old dairy. The Friends welcomed the management plan for each woodland area. 

Thanks were given to the French family for another successful art exhibition, to the trustees for their tireless work in running the charity, to president Eric Ellul for his support and to the members for their loyalty, without which The Friends could not operate.

[June 2023]

AGM – come and hear about plans and achievements

Wed 19 April 7.30 pm in the Holland Park Orangery 

Be sure to put the date in your diary and come along, with your comments and questions. The formal part is usually over quickly, and we will have time to talk about our plans for future projects and to hear your ideas. Various areas of the park have been closed for ‘works’ over this last winter, so we should have some new facilities and some greener grass by the time we meet. As always, there are real challenges and we have to learn to cope with climate change as well as reduced RBKC budgets.

This will be our first AGM since Eric Ellul has become president of The Friends. He will chair the meeting, have the opportunity to tell you a bit about himself and to share his views on the park.

Often, when it seems things are going well, people don’t feel they need to come to the AGM.  But please do come as there are still issues, as there will be with any park. We also need your votes at the meeting to ensure your committee remains in place to carry on the work. Come and challenge us with thoughtful questions and share your ideas. The trustees need your support and want to know that we are representing you.   

Members should please register to attend by contacting your chairman on jennie.kettlewell@thefriendsofhollandpark.org or calling 020 7243 0804.

We look forward to seeing lots of you on 19 April.

[February 2023]