Future events

Present

Kay West. Acting Chair person, Hilary Tuite, treasurer and membership secretary, Sue Morris, secretary, Stuart Sidebotham, Town Council Grounds supervisor, Heather Davies, Penny Fear, Mary Locock, Andrew Watkins, Jane Thorley-Watkins

1.

Apologies & Minutes

No apologies had been received. The minutes of the last meeting were circulated read and approved.

2.

Matters arising

Sue Morris apologised for two errors on the summary of the Jan. 8^th meeting: one was the date of this meeting and the other was the price of the manure which was £180, not £199 as stated on the summary. Payments for the manure now amount to £140.

3.

RSPB January Birdwatch

Kay observed a variety of species but not including the pair of pheasants which have taken up residence on the site. The weather was very bad that day.

4.

Site Security

The gates are still sometimes left unlocked when there are no plot holders present, including this evening.

Stuart will approach the Council environment committee to purchase an infra-red motion activated wildlife camera which could be deployed along the track at vulnerable times e.g. the Christmas and New Year period. The Association could also purchase one if the Council cannot fund it.

Community Support Officers visited the site to do security marking on Jan. 12^th. Various items belonging to the Association and plot holders were marked but there were not many takers.

5.

Membership and Treasurer’s report

Membership is now at 27 as we welcomed a new member at the meeting. Membership becomes due in August, in line with the National Allotment Association. Last year we tried collecting the fees early, in April, but this did not make any difference to numbers. From August, the membership fee will be £8.

The bank account stands at £1576.19 after paying £4.25, the new monthly bank charge.

Hilary wishes to stand down as Treasurer so there will be a vacancy for a Treasurer after the AGM.

6.

Site matters

10 people on the waiting list but three vacant plots,  two small and one full-size.

The council has reintroduced a £10 key deposit charge as many leaving tenants have not returned their keys. Water will be turned on at the end of March provided it is frost-free. The gates allowing access to the tracks will be opened once the ground has dried out enough. Bird-feeders can be used from October to May but not in the summer, to keep rat numbers down.

Stuart’s team will collect a donated bench for the wildlife area and some paving slabs from Hilary tomorrow.

Stuart has about 20 bird boxes made by people at Leominster Meeting Centre, a centre for people living with dementia. Contact him at grounds@leominstertowncouncil.gov.uk if you would like one. Tips for siting them can be found on the RSPB web-site.

7.

Future Events

It was decided to combine various events into a small Produce Show to be held on site in August, including a scarecrow competition. A working party is to be set up to organise the event

We will not have a stall at the Leominster in Bloom Spring Plant Fair but hope to have one at the Autumn event. We are also looking at the possibility of having a stall at one of the Farmer’s Markets, which take place on the second Saturday of the month.

If anyone has a glut of produce in the summer, it can be donated to the Food Bank.

8.

AGM

The new date for the AGM is 14^th May 7pm at the Town Council Art Gallery. This has been moved so as not to clash with VE day celebrations.

We need a new treasurer and other office holders.

9

AOB

Penny donated a book of woodwork projects such as bird boxes and bug hotels available to borrow from the community shed.

Kay thanked those who attended and closed the meeting at 8.25 pm.

Day

Date in 2025

Event and venue

Time

Wednesday

May 14th

AGM & meeting, Town Council offices, art gallery

7.00pm

Wednesday

July 6th

at the allotments

2.00pm

Wednesday

September 7th

at the allotments

2.00pm

Wednesday

November 12th

Meeting, Town Council offices, art gallery

7.00pm