Great Aycliffe Community Aid Partnership, held a very well attended AGM last week and Guest of Honour was Great Aycliffe’s Mayor Jed Hillary who commended GACAP on the work it did for needy people in Newton Aycliffe. Chairman Steven Mitton thanked Syd Howarth the founder of GACAP for his continued help for the organisation. Secretary Joan Mitchie gave a comprehensive report on how many partners had contributed to the year by way of sharing what their organisation could offer other partners. The Treasurer, Liane Taylor of Disc gave thanks for donations to GACAP by MAD Productions and Honest John. She reminded partners to apply for money from the discretionary fund. Assistant Secretary Ron Mitchie proposed a motion which was unanimously agreed that Syd Howarth MBE founder of GACAP be appointed Life President. Mayor Jed Hillary acted as teller for the election of Chairman and Syd Howarth announced the new chairman as Ron Mitchie. Other elected officers: Geoff Batchelor Vice Chairman, Joan Mitchie Secretary and Liane Taylor Treasurer.
Volunteers to assist the Officers were Ken Robson and Val Fawcett with four more committee members to be co-opted during the year. Paul Stafford from PCP was the Keynote Speaker, new to the PCP and the Third Sector. He was keen to see how GACAP and PCP could work together. Paul is responsible for Healthwatch, which he described as a CAB for healthcare. He was also responsible for Social Prescribing, Colour for Life, arts, social and crafts. Two new apprentices had started at the PCP coffee shop, so new cakes could be expected. He also had responsibility for the hydro therapy pool which is due to be replaced at a cost of circa £150,000. Geoff Batchelor Welfare Officer for Rotary shared a few words and said there were 1.2 million members worldwide and Newton Aycliffe Club has 42 members. The club raise money throughout the year including the Santa Run to buy 70 hampers for delivery at Christmas time, helped by Tesco. He said that Rotary were not there to sort problems but to put a sticking plaster on the problems and help them seek longer term help.
Geoff cited instances where he had worked with partners to help disadvantaged people. Syd Howarth President of GACAP addressed partners. He reminded all, GACAP was founded in 2013 following work done by a steering group after a public meeting. There was a firm understanding to co-ordinate need and cut out duplication. The networking side of GACAP was heartwarming, all talking together and helping those in need. GACAP were looking for premises to establish themselves but had been unsuccessful so far, but it was an important aim. Steven Mitton CEO of CDFHS was looking for premises to transfer CDFHS hopefully to Newton Aycliffe, and had suggested there might be room in his new premises to accommodate GACAP. New Chairman Ron thanked Syd for his report and thanked Steven for all he had done over the past couple of years as Chairman. He said some partners he had known for 50 years and others he had just met and looked forward to getting to know them. Following his marriage to Joan in August he had moved to Darlington but both Joan and himself still had a heart for Newton Aycliffe.
Joan worked with Dorothy Bowman at Silverdale House on the newly formed Western Area Residents Association. Ron and Joan attend the Harvest Church opposite Bethany Nursing Home in Woodham. Harvest, Community Aid Partnership Moves into Fifth Year GACAP partner Baby Basics receives a cheque for £500 from Tesco at the A.G.M. like other churches were partners of GACAP. Ron thanked Liane and DISC or the use of the meeting room and for free tea and coffee over the year. He also thanked Tesco, not only for their help to many partners, but also for the refreshments they provide at special events. He then invited partners to take refreshments as he closed the meeting. Tesco Newton Aycliffe have a close working relationship with Sheena and the team at Baby Basics, grown from the hard work the GACAP organisation do in bringing together all the community projects and charities in Newton Aycliffe.
At the GACAP AGM on Monday the 24th of April, Store Manager Helen Maynard and Community Champion Shirley Cormack, presented Sheena a cheque for £500 to help them continue the fantastic work they do in the local area.
