BE Bosom Friends Information and Fund Raising Events

[Stanley]

I sympathise with you regarding VAT and construction costs.... I had my battles over that at Ellenroad and in the end it was worth it. No good me giving any advice, my knowledge is out of date but always remember one thing, in any grey area where there is doubt about the status of whatever you are trying to get VAT back on, play the safety card. Safety trumps everything in planning and tax law!

[PanBiker]

I think the benefit comes via the building company who can ask for a zero rate VAT certificate for acceptable works carried out for charity organisation contracts. Worth looking at as it runs into thousands.

[PanBiker]

Cancer support meeting at our Green Street centre tonight. First one for a while, we have had a few since the pandemic but numbers of attendees took a proper nosedive after that particular interruption. We were closed from close contact of course for nearly two years from which we have not recovered yet. We have been holding meetings when folk have requested support, sometimes on a one to one or via telephone. There is glimmer of possible resurgence this months as at least two individuals have expressed an interest in attending. I will be popping round shortly to see if we need any background heating and to put the boiler on. Sally will be purchasing the milk and biscuits for the refreshments for any visitors tonight when she pops out to our shop on town.

[Stanley]

I hope the meeting was a success Ian and you had some attendees.

[PanBiker]

Yes it went well, we had three attendees from a potential of five, two of which had to give back word but will try to make the next one.

It's a start and the best attended since the pandemic, hopefully we can keep the momentum going.

[Stanley]

Good. Like Bosom Friends itself, mighty oaks from little acorns grow.... (I've always liked that saying.... )

[PanBiker]

Been round to the centre this morning to clear up after last nights volunteer's social. A bit of washing up and putting away to do. A good night was had by all from reports today.
We like to support our volunteers for the work they put in, we generally have three or four events for them each year. There were 13 volunteers there last night for wine, red, white or rose, (tea and coffee also available) and nibbles, crackers, bread sticks, various dips, crisps, peanuts and fruit sticks. A few games and a good natter.

Next one will be a Christmas event.

[PanBiker]

I will be cracking off with our new property stripping out next week. Our Jack can get a paid day off from work for charity work so he will be joining me to strip out the kitchen, depending how that goes we may manage the skirting boards and architraves. All the partition walls upstairs have to come out, don't know if they are plaster board or lathe and plaster. Will know once we get the architraves off. All carpets and other floor coverings and all the plaster back to the brick work. Central wall is coming out, upstairs section is OK as it is non roof supporting but the bottom floor will need steel shoving in to support the floor upstairs. Existing upstairs bathroom is coming out also. We have said we will do the majority of the strip out as it saves us a lot of money by doing that.

[Stanley]

Good for you! I know you'll remember but be careful of the dust Ian, masks and plenty of ventilation.