We enjoyed a bumper turnout of around 70 people at our AGM recently in the Weald Hall, Civic Centre. Chris Dowling was voted in for a second term as President, with Chris Thorne serving again as Vice-President. We are grateful also to Claire Allen of Team 4 Solutions who continues as our Treasurer. The remainder of our Executive Committee, the governing body of the Chamber, all stood for a further year, and we have one vacancy.
On arrival members were greeted with a delicious selection of canapes prepared by the team at Luxfords Restaurant, while they enjoyed a time of open networking. There was immediately a great buzz in the room, and it took our Town Crier to call everyone through from the restaurant area to take their seats.
Set out cabaret style, the Weald Hall is an excellent venue for this kind of meeting. Holly Goring, our Town Clerk and leader of Uckfield Town Council, spoke about the opportunities for businesses to hire space at the venue and encouraged wider use of the many green spaces in and around the town.
President, Chris Dowling gave an overview of the chamber’s year, which included organisation of a hugely successful Uckfield Business Awards and the annual late-night shopping in Uckfield to kick start the festive season. Our networking breakfasts, held in alternate months, are becoming increasingly popular and are often fully booked. And we continue to provide monthly online meeting opportunities plus delivering a monthly business podcast.
We heard from no fewer than half a dozen new members. Each one spoke with a brief introduction to the chamber and all new members have this opportunity to make themselves known at our bi-monthly members meetings.
Our guest speaker for the AGM was our MP, Mims Davies. It was the first time that Mims had attended a chamber meeting since becoming our MP last year. Undoubtedly committed to her constituency and Mims was able to update the chamber on events in Westminster as well as activities to support the Uckfield community. Following the meeting the team from Luxfords Restaurant provided an excellent buffet and with the bar open, there was plenty more networking, with lively chat, before the evening concluded.