MATCH
An Appeal On Behalf of MATCH:
We are trying to increase our trustees.
Most residents will, it is hoped, be aware of MATCH and many will have participated in its organized activities, but newcomers to the village, particularly those since COVID, probably will not.
The 'Milton Abbas Trust for Community & Heritage' (MATCH) is a village based registered charity. Its constitutional Aims and Objectives are given as:
1) To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Milton Abbas by associating together the said inhabitants and other organizations in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants;
2) Establish or secure the establishment of a community centre and to manage and maintain the same in furtherance of the objects;
3) To promote such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined; and
4) To establish and maintain, for the benefit of the public, places of scientific interest or natural beauty and otherwise promote the natural sciences.
A very broad remit. In reality this evolves into MATCH being an 'enabling organization' pursuing concepts and ideas and turning them into reality for the benefit of the village. There is no other organization in the village which has this freedom of action. So, what has been achieved over, say, the last fifteen years. Examples are:
Computer club/café launched- now every Thursday morning in the Reading Room.
Community Lunch for over 50s -now 2nd Wednesday in month in the RR.
MatchPatch garden plots established (now managed separately) and the acquisition, with the Parish Council, of the field behind the Surgery.
These are ongoing, managed activities contributing to village life. In addition, there have been other activities which have had a lasting impact.
Concert given by Orlando Singers in the Abbey, profits from which were used to equip the RR and Church with a variety of drinking glasses.
A 'Milton Abbas Memories' evening, now recognized as the precursor to the successful separate History Group.
Grants awarded to village children pursuing aspirational tasks.
Grants to the surgery to support the purchase of desirable equipment.
More recently, a large grant to the sports club to support the pavilion renovation.
In addition, there have been many fund-raising events, most memorably, the annual Burns Night Celebrations in the RR, a Help the Heroes dinner, and a series of Moveable Feasts.
These all contributing to the variety of our village life.
Since Covid MATCH activities have been in the doldrums; the virus seems to have had a depressing lasting impact. Also, a number of long serving trustees have decided to retire. As a consequence, if this unique enabling village based Charity is again to be fully functioning, we are in urgent need of volunteers to become trustees. What can be achieved? Whatever, if it matches the examples cited, then it will be a stimulating contribution to our village life If you would like to volunteer as a trustee, please contact either: Brian Isherwood: [email protected] Or Eddy Watts: [email protected]
Milton Abbas Trust for the Community and Heritage (MATCH)
Registered Charity No. 1062336
MATCH was originally set up to buy the lake at the bottom of the village, but as this bid was not successful it was then felt to be appropriate to purchase Jane's Wood. This was completed on behalf of the Parish Council. The next project was to purchase some land on which a village hall could be built, (The money raised has been deposited in a savings account and is ring fenced for such an activity if the villagers still wish this to go ahead in the future), this remains an objective of MATCH at present. The Trustees look for funding to enable other social activities to go ahead that will benefit villagers. Below are some examples –
Permanent Sub-Groups:
- Woodland Group (Jane's Wood): Ian Maxwell ensures the wood is maintained on behalf of the Milton Abbas Parish Council. The wood is owned by the Parish Council and access is available for all residents of Milton Abbas;
- Computer Café: Jennifer Harrisson. The computer cafe has been running now since 2009 and is held on a Thursday 10am to 1pm. Local inhabitants can be found e-mailing family and friends, getting recipes and buying items on line as well as surfing the net in the safety of the reading room with willing helpers available to help with the occasional mishap that might occur. Admission is free. Hot drinks and cake available.
- The village web-site is maintained by the web master for free. Please send any articles you wish to be included to Jennifer to be included on a Thursday
- Over 50's Community Lunch Club: Jennifer Harrisson: The Lunch Club is still proving popular, with high quality meals being provided at low cost to the diners. This is only made possible by efforts of the dedicated team of village cooks and having access to the refurbished Reading Room kitchen. We recently acquired 5 stars after an inspection by the food safety team. Volunteers to help cook and tidy up are always gratefully received
- Marquee: Jennifer Harrisson/Ian Maxwell: MATCH has bought a marquee for use by villagers. Please contact Jennifer if you wish to borrow the marquee.
Other Activities:
- Sponsorship of The Bulletin: The Bulletin: MATCH sponsors two issues a year.
MATCH Trustees 2020
Chair: Jennifer Harrisson ([email protected])
Vice Chair: Ian Maxwell
Treasurer: Edward Watts
Secretary: Jill Gipp
Trustees: Brian Isherwood, Hayley Bridge, Keith Gipp