Future events

Present

Stuart Sidebotham, Grounds Supervisor, Kay West, Hilary Tuite, Heather Davies, Mary Locock, Andy Watkins, Jane Thorley-Watkins, Jane Lacey, Sue Morris

1

Apologies

Penny Fear

Jane Lacey reported the death of Steve Gallimore, a long-time plot holder. Condolences to his widow, Janet.

2

Matters arising

Penny Fear was thanked for providing more hand-made decorations for the Christmas Tree in the Tourist Information Office. The decorations have been stored in the cube ready for next Christmas.

3

Membership and Treasurer’s report

We now have 24 paid up members but this has highlighted a problem with BACS payments. Two members have paid by BACS but without submitting a membership form with their details.

Hilary will contact Sarah in the office so she can request that the person submit a membership form to Hilary.

Hilary will redraft the membership form and send to Stuart who has kindly agreed to print off the forms and send out with the tenancy agreements for the new season.

The current balance is £1462.59.

On line banking is now up and running so that we can make payments without incurring charges.

The first seed order of £200.10 netted a gain of £19.30 for the LAA . The results of the second seed order are still awaited.

The Treasurer will  look into the possibility of putting some of the current account balance into a savings account with the purpose of off-setting some of the bank charges. Hilary, Kay, and Jane will arrange to meet to arrange this.

Thanks to Charley Crosse who paid £180 cash for the manure delivery because the BACS system on the Association account was not yet functioning. Hilary was able to refund Charley from petty cash. So far, we have received £71 in payment for muck from plot holders but there is plenty left.

4

Site Matters

14 on waiting list, down from 22.

No vacant plots, but one vacant miniplot.

The hedges have been cut. Stuart will inspect the site for overlarge trees on people’s plots in January.

A bid for funding security cameras will be submitted at the next funding round.

Padlocks. Stuart has obtained quotes for 3 new padlocks and  150 new keys, approx. £1000. This will be submitted to the March funding round. The padlock on the shed seems to be easier to open than the one on the main gate so they could be exchanged.

Gates are still being left both unlocked and open. Fortunately, there do not seem to have been any thefts over the Christmas season this year. Locking the gates is part of the tenancy agreement.

Christmas trees will be shredded on the site on Jan. 8^th but please do not dump your unshredded prunings and/or domestic garden waste on the car park. It is not the job of Stuart’s team to shred other people’s waste. We welcome shredded mulch only. Please can plot holders be alert and let Stuart or a committee member know who is still dumping stuff.

Stuart has requested funding for renewal of external pipework for the water tanks (his wish list) and has asked for a quote to grade the approach track by the gate and put in a concrete pad.

6

Need for new committee members

Sarah will be asked to email all plot holders to ask if any would be willing to take on roles on the association committee.

Several members agreed to be on a list to welcome new plot holders on their first visit to the site, especially if they can only come at the weekend or in the evening after work. Volunteers are Jane. Kay, Sue, Hilary.

7.

Future Events

·         RSPB Bird Watch 24^th-25^th January Observation sheets will be available in the blue shed.

·         Spring Farmers’ Market Saturday, May 9^th. Please donate plants and produce. Hilary to investigate public liability insurance.

·         Friday June 5^th early evening BBQ

·         Saturday, August 15^th, informal produce show

·         David and Lesley Pritchard will assess the site for the “In bloom It’s Your Neighbourhood” award and at a separate visit assess the site for plot awards

·         Future allotment meetings to be at 7pm, March 11^th, AGM May 13^th, 1^st July at allotment site, 2^nd September at allotment site, Nov. 11^th at Council offices.

8

Seed order

Thanks to Jane Lacey for organising the seed orders. She is willing to continue as seed order secretary.

9

Allotment web-site

Sue M to contact Chris Preece to review web-site.

10

Improvements to site

Kay will contact ECHO to see whether they would like to help paint a mural on the cube. Designs were discussed. Andy will check out the cost of marine plywood. Volunteers needed to brighten up the flower tubs and plant them at the right season.

11

AOB

Hilary asked whether Stuart planned to install bays to contain manure and mulch. He was not in favour as the previous compost bay had been used to dump rubbish.

Kay thanked those who attended and closed the meeting at 20.09.

Day

Date

Event and venue

Time

Saturday/Sunday

24 – 25 January

RSPB Bird Watch  – Observation sheets in the blue shed.

n/a

Wednesday

11th March

Meeting, Town Council offices

7pm

Saturday

9th May

Spring Farmers’ Market. Please donate plants and produce

TBA

Wednesday

13th May

A.G.M., Town Council offices

7pm

Friday

5th June

BBQ,  Allotment site

Early evening

Wednesday

1st July

Meeting, Allotment site

7pm

Saturday

15th August

Informal produce show

TBA

Wednesday

2nd September

Meeting, Allotment site

7pm

Wednesday

11th November

Meeting, Town Council offices

7pm