That's shallot? Society faces up to closure threat

The decision will be made at next month’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) which has been billed by society chairman, Ralph Skingle, as “possibly the most important meeting we have ever had”.

Ralph, 77, has been the chairman of the society for about ten years, he said: “Due to a lack of replacement committee members the society may have to close, the decision will be made at the AGM.

“It is possibly the most important meeting we have ever had.

“We have been looking for replacements for a while now, some of the committee members are older than I am and have been working hard for a long time.

“I have been trying to step down for a few years but have had no luck because our appeals for people to come forward have been unsuccessful.

“If new officers do not come forward, the committee has decided that it will have to close.”

Whatever decision is made at the AGM, Ralph has confirmed that the Spring Show will still go ahead on Saturday, April 1.

He told the LBO: “Whatever the decision is, we will still have our Spring Show, we are looking forward to it and hope to see many faces there.”

The AGM is on Thursday, March 2, at 7pm in the Friends Meeting House, North Street.

The chairman added: “The society has been going for about 100 years, just after the First World War I think, it was probably called something different back then.

“It will be a shame if it has to close but, unfortunately, we will not be the only one, there have been a few societies closing over the years.

“It seems young people do not have the time to volunteer for these things, so without their help and support, the society will not be able to carry on.”

If you are interested in helping the society and becoming a chairman or committee member, contact Ralph on 01525 374112.