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Present
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Kay West, chair, Jane Thorley-Watkins deputy chair, Heidi Batt treasurer & membership secretary, Sue Morris secretary, Hilary Tuite, Heather Davies, Mary Locock, Penny Fear
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1.
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Apologies & Minutes
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Stuart Sidebotham, Jane Lacey
Minutes were read and accepted.
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2.
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Matters arising
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See below.
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3.
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Membership & Treasurer
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There are currently 11 paid up members of the Association. Please pay membership either in cash or bank transfer to avoid the charge of 42p per transaction incurred when paying in cheques.
Heidi still does not have access to the bank account despite going in person with Kay and Hilary to the bank. They were told to do the change of signatories online but that has proved impossible to do. Kay and Hilary to follow up. The current balance is about £1447.95 though there have been outgoings of about £50.
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4.
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Site Matters
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17 on waiting list. One vacant plot awaiting strimming by the Council team. Plot 2 is vacant while remedial action for the mare’s tail weed infestation is attempted.
Bonfires are now allowed.
The hedges will be trimmed as part of the winter maintenance and the brash used to fill in gaps in the perimeter hedge.
The water will be turned off when there is a frost warning.
The gates will be locked soon to avoid damage to the tracks after the wet weather.
Stuart will arrange for the track to be smoothed out.
We are hoping to get a notice to say what should and should not be put on the swap table.
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5.
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Summer Fun Day
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Held on Saturday August 16th. Not many people attended and no children. The produce show had a few entries. The results have been posted up on the notice boards. Jane suggested holding the event on a Friday evening before the school break up as more people come to work on their plots after work.
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6.
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Plot Award judging visit
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David and Lesley visited in July to assess the site for the It’s Your Neighbourhood award and visited again in August to select plots for the Allotment Awards. The awards will be presented at the Allotment Harvest Supper on October 10th.
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7.
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Site security
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Several times recently, the gates have been left wide open when no one was present at the allotment site. Please remember to check if you are the last person at the site and lock the gates before driving away.
Stuart is looking into buying a new lock for the cube. Several items stored in the cube have disappeared.
The Council will install cameras showing activity along the main tracks before the winter holiday season.
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8
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Helpful plot holder nominations
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One nomination for the “Helpful plot holder” has been received. Please nominate anyone who has been a special help to you. Awards to be presented at the Harvest Supper
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9
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Plant Fair
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It was decided that it was too late to take on a stall at the Leominster in Bloom Plant Fair on September 20th. We no longer have a gazebo for shelter and most produce has already finished. Instead, there will be a produce stall at the Harvest Supper where jams, chutneys and other items can be sold to raise funds for the association. Please bring cash!
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10.
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Manure delivery
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Sue Morris to arrange with the farmer.
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11
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Next Meeting
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Wednesday November 12th 7pm Town Council Art Gallery.
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12
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Harvest Supper
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Friday October 10th at 7 pm in the Forbury. This is an enjoyable bring and share meal for all plot holders arranged by the Council and administered by the association. There will be a quiz and presentation of awards. Holders of even numbered plots to bring savoury dishes and odd numbered plots to bring sweet dishes. Pleaser also donate raffle prizes.
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13
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King’s Seed Catalogue
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Heidi has the new catalogues which she and Kay will take to Jane Lacey who will process the orders. Orders will need to be given to Jane in early November.
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13
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AOB
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Diane Eames of the Leominster branch of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust notified us of a forthcoming event in November (TBC) where local community groups are invited to share presentations of their work to promote wildlife and the environment.
The Wildlife Trust are also holding an Autumn Walk at Queenswood on25th October at 10 am.
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Kay thanked those who attended and closed the meeting at 3.30 pm
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