Belford Community Group held their Annual General Meeting in the Blue Bell Hotel on Monday 30 July, chaired by Vice President Geoff O'Connell. The Group's Community Shop on Belford High Street has raised over £8000 since March for use in the community. These funds have so far been used to buy staging for village events and performances, to assist a local businessman in the maintenance of a village website, and a pledge of £5000 has been made towards the purchase of a community minibus, as well as charitable donations towards the Jubilee Garden, Jubilee flower display and a Remebrance wreath. Requests for funding from village groups and societies are actively being sought by the Group for consideration. A regular monthly community market is being held and this has been hailed as a resounding success, with stalls offering locals and visitors alike the chance to buy products from water colours and jewellery to plants, wood carvings, postcards and even nappy cakes!
 
At the meeting Lord Walton of Detchant was unanimously reappointed as President for a further year, but Vice President Geoff O'Connell tendered his resignation from his role due to pressure of other committments, which was accepted with regret. The Chairman of the Group, Phil Nicholson, presented his Chairman's Report which detailed the activities of the Group since its formation at the end of 2011, and the financial statement. A copy of the audited accounts for 2011/2012 are available to view in the Community Shop. Pauline Tucker and Brian Rogers were elected as new trustees and it was agreed that Joe James would remain as a co-opted trustee for the coming year. Full minutes of the meeting, including the Chairman's Report, will be available in the near future in the Community shop and on the village website.