1. Proposed saving

Geoff reported that he had identified an alternative tea bag which, at the present rate of consumption, would save the Chapel approximately £13.80 per year.

Glyn asked whether this was per box and whether the calculation allowed for delivery.

Geoff confirmed that it was the annual figure. He said small savings were often overlooked by people, who would then ask at an AGM what the Committee was doing about curtailing expenditure. This would be a perfect response in that situation. Geoff said he would collect the tea bags during his normal shopping. No special journey was required, provided the shop continued to stock them.

2. Suitability

Glyn asked whether anyone had tried the proposed tea.

Geoff said he had drunk a cup at home and found nothing that would prevent it being served at the Chapel.

Stephen asked whether this amounted to a recommendation.

Geoff said he was recommending that we buy it. He noted that the packaging described the product as suitable for everyday use. This was considered consistent with the Chapel’s requirements.

3. Consultation with Jean

Stephen asked whether Jean had been consulted, given her responsibility for preparing and serving refreshments.

Geoff said he had intended to give her a definite decision rather than trouble her with an unresolved matter.

Glyn suggested that Jean might nevertheless have a useful view on the tea, as she has been making it for decades.

Geoff agreed to ask her, but requested that the question be confined to whether it could be served. He did not want a general discussion about everyone's favourite brand, as this would leave the committee open to buying several different boxes and losing the saving entirely.

It was agreed that Jean would be invited to raise any practical concerns before the first purchase.

4. Price and strength

The Committee agreed that the saving would be retained by the Chapel. No change to the published price of tea was proposed.

Glyn asked whether the new tea required two bags to achieve the same strength as the existing tea. Geoff said he had only used one bag at home.

Glyn asked whether he had left it in any longer than normal, as this would have consequences for throughput at the hatch.

Geoff said he didn't think so, but hadn't timed it in any official way.

5. Decision

The Committee approved the purchase of one box, subject to consideration of any practical concerns raised by Jean. Existing stock would be used first.

Geoff asked whether the £13.80 could be entered immediately as an annual saving in the next report.

Stephen advised that it should be described as a projected saving until the new tea had been purchased and its use assessed.

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Dear Geoff,

Thank you for asking whether the proposed tea bags can be served at the Hatch. I have now read the minutes of 26 October.

I can put hot water on most tea bags. If that was the only question, there was no need for a meeting.

Whether people will want to drink the result is another matter. I have not seen or tasted the tea, and would like to do so before my lack of a practical objection is recorded as support for changing it.

I was particularly interested to read that you did not wish to trouble me with an unresolved matter. I would have preferred to be troubled while there was still something to discuss.

The saving may well be worth making. However, if the tea takes longer to brew, I will be the person explaining why people are waiting. If it is weak, I will be asked for another bag. If they do not like it, they will tell me. None of these people will be taking their cup to the Committee.

Will it be suitable for all three types of tea I serve: Standard, Builder's and Fine China? These are questions that could have been asked before the meeting.

Please let me have enough of the proposed tea to make a pot. I suggest that a few of us try it alongside the current tea, without being told which is which. There is no need to buy several boxes of everyone's favourite brand. Two pots will do.

Until then, I would be grateful if you would describe this as the Committee's proposed change, rather than a change agreed with my Hatch.

I will continue using the tea we already have.

Jean Hutton