2024 in Bonchurch – Reflections from the BCA AGM
Earlier this April, we gathered at St Boniface Church for the Bonchurch Community Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). With 28 people in attendance, it was a lovely chance to reflect on everything we’ve accomplished together over the past year — and to look ahead at what’s coming up.
The Chair opened with a warm thank-you to everyone who helped make village life so vibrant this year. From the cosy Picnic on the Green and the always-popular Open Gardens to the lively Curry Evening and the magical Carols by the Pond, it’s been a packed calendar. Thanks to these events and everyone’s generosity, we were able to donate £1,500 to support local Ventnor charities — a real testament to what we can achieve when we pull together.
Special thanks went out to the many individuals who contribute behind the scenes, often quietly and without fanfare. From stringing up Christmas lights to serving mulled wine and mince pies, keeping the stream tidy, running walking tours, and growing and selling plants for fundraising — it all adds up to something truly special. Every little contribution makes a big difference.
The Treasurer shared that while overall funds have decreased slightly, that’s largely down to purposeful spending that benefits the whole village. Major expenses included the Christmas lights display, generous charitable donations, and the cost of a new storage facility. The good news is, we’re still on solid financial ground and the year was considered a success overall. Going forward, there are plans to explore options for accepting card payments at events, and possibly making annual donations a tradition.
The pond continues to be a central part of village life and saw significant investment this year, including professional maintenance and the installation of a new notice board. A new wrought iron gate is also on the way. Efforts to keep the surrounding areas neat and pleasant have been greatly appreciated — especially the work maintaining the Leeson Road viewing point and the old landslip car park garden.
On the Village Green, maintenance is handled by the council, but volunteers still play a key role. Litter picking, organising plant trimming through Fix My Street, and generally keeping it lovely for everyone to enjoy — especially during events like Picnic on the Green and Coastguard training — are all part of the ongoing care that helps this space thrive.
We also reviewed the results of a recent community questionnaire. Many people expressed interest in having a village hall to host activities. Sadly, the cost of renting local spaces proved too high at the moment, but it’s still on the radar if circumstances change.
A bright spot this year was the creation of a WhatsApp group for volunteers — an idea that’s already paying off, helping with event setup, coordination, and sharing the workload in a more efficient, friendly way. Reach out if you’d like to volunteer or contribute in any way.
Looking ahead, we’ve got a brilliant line-up of events for 2025:
Picnic on the Green – Sunday, 25th May
Open Gardens Weekend – Saturday & Sunday, 5th–6th July
Bonchurch Presents – Saturday, 6th September
There’s also word of an exciting commemorative event in Ventnor on 21st May to mark the anniversary of the Spanish Armada’s failed invasion attempt in 1588 — complete with a gun salute!
We’re also considering a fun addition to the calendar: a guest talk about the Battle of Bonchurch (1545) — a fascinating bit of local history that deserves its moment in the spotlight.
Finally, the formation of the new BCA committee will take place at the next meeting, with roles to be assigned then. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved — it’s your village too!
As always, a huge thank-you to everyone who continues to support and uplift Bonchurch through your time, effort, and enthusiasm. Here’s to another fantastic year of community, connection, and creativity.