Sid Vale Association AGM news

SID Vale Association (SVA) members celebrated boosting local causes to the tune of �96,000 in the last year at the organisation’s annual general meeting last Wednesday.

Leaders issued a “desperate” appeal for a new secretary and volunteers to ensure the civic society can continue its sterling work.

SVA chairman of seven years, the Reverend Handel Bennett, stood down from the role only to be re-elected as vice chair.

Long-term SVA secretary Alan Darrant became its new chairman and said: “Handel is going to be a hard act to follow.”

Mr Darrant issued a public plea for a new secretary and said: “We desperately need someone to fill this role.”

The meeting heard how the SVA’s Keith Owen Fund committee pledged �96,000 to projects in the Sid Valley in the last 12 months.

The body has approved awards totalling more than �250,000 since 2007.

“It’s quite a remarkable figure,” said Rev Bennett. “There must be very few other charitable organisations that can do this for the benefit of their local community. We welcome applications.”