April’s Friday Frolics, sponsored by Boyle & Summers, once again saw a huge turnout at Banana Wharf with over 70 people enjoying the hospitality of our sponsors. Steve Smith, Associate Director commented “We were very pleased with the turn out. Great people and great energy in the room” If your company would like to sponsor a Friday Frolics or any other SPA event please contact any member of the SPA committee who can advise on the opportunities available. Attendees were given the opportunity to learn about the Holyrood Project, a local initiative on the Holyrood estate in Southampton who are on mission along with the ZoieLogic Dance Theatre to raiseaspirations, challenge perceptions of who we are and illuminate the place they proudly call home —we call it, We Are Holyrood. Since 2019 and driven by the community, we have been bringing to life stories of past, present and have been imagining the future through dance performance, film and social gatherings. We have beencreating accessible opportunities for positive community interactions utilised by residents of all ages. Further information can be found below on how you could get involved:
Successful First Friday Frolics of 2024
A fantastic turn out at the first Friday Frolics of 2024 sponsored by Rentplus. 80 plus people were interested to learn more about Rentplus UK and their social purpose, innovative rent-to-buy model offering a long term solution to the housing affordability crisis. With lots of positivity in the room it was a great way to end the week. Next Friday Frolics will be on Friday 22nd March, a week early due to the Easter break, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Your 2024 SPA Committee
Missing Members: Belinda Bracegirdle, Deborah Jackson, Lucy Richmond, Tim Clarke and George Long. The SPA have recently held their first committee meeting of 2024 and continue to meet monthly to plan events for the coming year. A number have already been planned and published on the events diary which is updated regularly. Further events will be added when dates are confirmed, so please keep a regular check on our website www.southamptonpropertyassociation.co.uk Any members that would like to see a particular event added to the calendar should contact a member of the committee.
Another fantastic amount raised for Charity
Following the February Committee meeting a cheque was presented by past Chair, Emma Bartlett to Mike Smith from Scratch, the SPA nominated charity for 2023 for the sum of £10,380. Mike commented ” Wow…that is an outstanding amount and will make a massive difference to what we do in the local community. Thanks so much to you and all the members who have contributed”
SPA 77th Annual General Meeting
The 77th Annual General Meeting of the Southampton Property Association took place on Monday 22nd January 2024 at the University Officers’ Training Corp in Carlton Place, Southampton in front of a large audience followed by the installation of the 2024 Chair. As is customary, Hon. Secretary Chris Clark of Ely Langley Greig Chartered Surveyors conducted the business of the evening. Treasurer Chris Orr reported to the members that the Association was in good financial health. Current Chair Emma Bartlett began her report by welcoming everyone to the AGM and her last one as Chair. During Emma’s tenure as Chair she has endured covid lockdown holding the monthly committee meetings by zoom during 2021. By 2022 we were starting to get back to some form of normality an tentatively began to plan in-person events with membership bouncing back both in numbers and enthusiasm for events. Over her time as Chair Emma is particularly proud of the support the SPA has been able to provide to the nominated charities, namely Solent Mind, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Scratch. Emma commented “ Personally it has been very humbling to learn about the incredible things these charities do over the last 3 years and we as an association have raised a combined total £30,000 through our events and donations.” “In lots of ways the Chair is just a figurehead of the SPA and relies heavily on the dedication and hard work put in by the committee and I would like to say a huge thank you to them over the last few years. Finally I would like to wish Rupi Basi, our new SPA Chair, all the very best for her tenure.” Rupi vowed to continue the good work that Emma had started and announced the nominated charity for 2024 would be Parkinsons UK. She continued “There is a number of events already planned for 2024 including the ever popular Friday Frolics but if any member would like to see any ideas for events added to the calendar then contact any member of the committee to put forward at their monthly meeting.” The Association was founded in 1948 and continues to grow, currently having around 400 members, drawn from the Property Professions in Southampton and District. Check out the events for 2024 and how to become a member on www.southamptonpropertyassociation.co.uk Your New Committee for 2024: Chair Rupi Basi – RB Personal Finance Vice Chair & Junior members’ – Annabel Huffer Eddisons Secretary Chris Clark – Ely Langley Greig Treasurer Chris Orr – The Design Chapel Past Chair Emma Bartlett – TMT Legal Membership Secretary Sarah Ward – Savills CPD Secretary Allan Hilder Benevolent Fund Graham Clarke PR/Website Roy Partridge Committee Belinda Bracegirdle – Primmer Olds BAS Denise Bull – Dutton Gregory Tim Clarke – Harrison Clarke Richard Huffer – Eddisons Debbie Jackson – DJ Conveyancing Natalie Kyle – Goadsby George Long – Charters James Macmillan – Womble Bond Dickinson Paul Moore – Waterman Infrastructure James Realff – Lester Aldridge Lucy Richmond Kevin Stratford – Stratford & Stratford
Another Successful Networking Event
Thank you to all those who attended the third SPA and Omnia Consulting Solent Speed Networking Event on the 29th November 2023, kindly sponsored by Dutton Gregory Solicitors. The event was held at the Grand, Southampton, which was decked out with Christmas decorations and feeling very festive. We had around 60 property professionals at the event, who were all enthusiastic to make new connections and boost their networking skills. As in our previous events, the session started with networking tips from leadership coach, Astrid Davies, followed by two hours of structured networking. We were thrilled with the response and hope all those who attended enjoyed it as much as we did. Having had some excellent feedback once again, we hope to see both new and familiar faces at the next event!
2024 Southampton Property Association Committee
Dear Member Applications are invited to serve on the 2024 Southampton Property Association Committee. Committee members assist one another in organising events throughout the year and a committee meeting is held in Southampton on the first Wednesday of each month at 12.30pm, usually lasting for about one hour. Committee members are not paid for their time, but there is an annual committee lunch by way of thanks. In the event of more applications being received for the committee places than are available, a secret ballot will be held of those SPA members present at the Annual General Meeting, which is to be held on the evening of Monday, 22nd January 2024 at The Southampton University Officer’s Training Corps, 32 Carlton Place, Southampton SO15 2DX, full details of which will follow. The window for applications to the join the committee will remain open until 5.00pm on Friday, 29th December 2023. Please email applications to me, chrisclark@elgsurveyors.co.uk Yours sincerely Chris Clark SPA Honorary Secretary Christopher Clark BSc FRICS MCIArb
Another successful Friday Frolics Event
Another large attendance last Friday, 24th November, at the ever popular SPA Friday Frolics sponsored by Eddisons incorporating Daniells Harrison at The Grand. Plenty of good networking conversations and our thanks go to the sponsors for a splendid event.
SPA Charity Ball Raises Much Needed Funds For Scratch
Over 200 revellers from the property business sector donned their best bib and tucker at the annual SPA Charity Ball on Thursday 9th November held at The Grand. A night packed full of entertainment and fun raised a huge amount for the very worthy charity Scratch, the SPA’s chosen charity for the year. The evening kicked off with the traditional game of Heads and Tails, and raffle compared by George Long. The 3 course meal was followed by dancing by the fantastic live band Ruby Entertainment, with the evening finishing of downstairs at Ruby’s nightclub. The final total raised is still being totted up but early estimates are over £2K.
October Friday Frolics
The SPA hosted Octobers Friday Frolics at Bar Terminus with over 60 guests in attendance enjoying the plentiful buffet on offer. The next Frolics, sponsored by Eddisons incorporating Daniells Harrison, will be held at Grand Cafe on Friday 29th November 2023. If your company would be interested in sponsoring any SPA event including Friday Frolics please contact a member of the committee.