Drake Oil Syndicate

Drake is a heating-oil buying syndicate of over 600 members with three objectives:

l. To secure the lowest price for syndicate members by bulk buying.

2. To obtain a rebate (on top of the cheap price) of 0.5p per litre.

3. To distribute the rebate equally beteeen:

(a) members' churches to help cover pro rata their heating costs and

(b) local charities concerned with children.

Last year, 2006, Drake distributed altogether £10,700 after postage and stationery costs of £531.The breakdown is as follows:

Churches:

Ide Hill £960, Four Elms £470, Hever £440, Toys Hill £220,

Chiddingstone St Mary's £410, Chiddingstone St Luke's £210,

Brasted £440, Edenbridge £220, Sundridge £80, Markbeech £130,

Penshurst £370, Shipbourne £230, Cowden £270, Lingfield £90,

Crockham Hill £230, Hartfield £110, Plaxtol £180,

Dormans Land £120, Coleman's Hatch £100 and Speldhurst £70.

Local Charities concerned with children:

EHAS (Edenbridge Holiday Activities Scheme and the Hub after school care) £3720,

Bridges - Blue Cafe, Edenbridge for 15 - 17 year olds £755,

Common Work Land Trust (Young handicapped people at Bore Close) £120 and

Demelza Children's Hospice £755.

The price is fixed four times a year and the round of delivery is completed in about fourteen days. Members are informed beforehand of the price and the date of commencement of the round. It is important though that if members do not need topping up on a particular round, they inform the supplier either by telephoning 01444 461561 or by e-mailing Drakeoil@SCF.co.uk. Most households fit well into the pattern of four top-up deliveries a year with the winter top ups closer together than the summer ones.The timing of the rounds is monitored according to the prevailing temperatures with the aim of ensuring that members do not run short of oil. Top ups outside or in addition to the fixed delivery rounds can be arranged by members with the supplier at preferential rates, with the syndicate still receiving the rebate of 0.5p per litre delivered.

Membership of the syndicate is a numbers game where everybody wins. Members' own bills are reduced by bulk buying; members' churches which they nominate receive help annually with their heating expenses; and the local children's charities which Drake supports are very worthwhile causes.

Applications to join should be addressed to:

Campbell Sim, Chittenden House, Four Elms, Edenbridge, TN8 6PB

and should contain:

Name and address including (and this is important) post code;

Tel no, fax no and e-mail address if used (where e-mail is used, please agree to receive price and delivery info by e-mail, thereby saving the syndicate postage expenses);

Name of church to be supported.

Signature and date.