
DOWNLAND VOLUNTEER GROUP
Address: The Surgery, High Street, Compton, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 6NJ
Office Opening Hours: Monday - Friday 10.00 - 12.00 Noon
Telephone No: (01635) 578394
Handybus Organiser Telephone No: (01635) 202519
Web Site: www.downlandvolgroup.org e-mail address: info@downlandvolgroup.org
NEWS
June 2009
The Annual General Meeting for 2009 was held on Wednesday 3rd June at Curridge Village Hall and was very well attended. The outgoing Chairman said that it had had another successful year, highlighted by the fact that we had managed to recruit more drivers. Both the Chairman, Susan Leman, and another long serving member, Peggy Potts, retired from the committee. They were both thanked for their sterling work, undertaken over the last few years.
The matter of travel tokens was discussed at great length. These had been withdrawn by West Berkshire District Council (WBDC) as an automatic entitlement for people of retirement age. They were to be replaced by a Bus Pass which would not be valid for use on car journeys. It would however be acceptable for Handybus journeys. As a compromise, WBDC has given us a fairly generous grant, to help compensate for the loss of tokens. As a result, the committee decided to reduce the amount of suggested fare contributions from 1st August. Details of the new suggested rates have been sent to existing clients and are available from the office.
Details of journeys are as below:
| Total Journeys | 1079 |
| Number of Drivers Used | 47 |
| Number of villages Served | 21 |
| Mileage Covered | 13530 |
| Handybus Miles | 6885 |
| Handybus Passengers | 1070 |
June 2008
The Annual General Meeting for 2008 was held on Thursday 5th June at Curridge Village Hall. Due to the change in the colour of bus tokens during the year, we received a large number from our clients, who were unable to use them by the required date. We therefore decided to utilise these, by making two donations, which we felt would benefit the whole community.
1. Chieveley Practice to update the waiting room at Compton Surgery.
2. West Berkshire Community Hospital for much needed Specialist Dental Equipment.
The chairman reported that during the year we had managed to attract a few more volunteers. it was also nice to welcome a few new faces onto the committee.
Details of journeys are as below:
| Total Journeys | 1071 |
| Number of Drivers Used | 41 |
| Number of villages Served | 22 |
| Mileage Covered | 14492 |
| Handybus Miles | 7129 |
| Handybus Passengers | 1201 |
June 2007
The Annual General Meeting for 2007 was held on Wednesday 13th June at Curridge Village Hall. It was well attended by members, who after business proceedings, enjoyed wine and light refreshments. Our financial year runs from April to March. The Chairman reported that it had been another successful year with the number of journeys being as follows:
| Total Journeys | 1040 |
| Number of Drivers Used | 39 |
| Number of villages Served | 22 |
| Mileage Covered | 15220 |
| Handybus Miles | 6837 |
| Handybus Passengers | 1222 |
April 1985
We were formed in 1985 and were situated in very Spartan conditions in a scout hut in Compton, Berkshire. Today we have a small comfortable office located in Compton Surgery.
Registered Charity No: 1112181 Company Limited By Guarantee No: 5572984