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Present
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Kay West, chair, Jane Thorley-Watkins, assistant Chair, Hilary Tuite, treasurer and membership secretary, Sue Morris, secretary, Andy Watkins, Penny Fear, Heather Davies, Jane Lacey, Mary Locock, Sam Cox, Stuart Sidebotham , Leominster Grounds supervisor.
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1
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Apologies
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Charley Crosse
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2
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Matters Arising
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Mini plot H is vacant. Can people on waiting list be encouraged to take them on?
Harvest Supper was an enjoyable occasion. Raffle raised £30.
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3
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Membership & Treasurer’s report
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Membership Paid up membership stands at 20 with 2 membership forms missing due to having been paid by BACS. Please can these members let Hilary have the forms for our records. There are 19 members who have not yet rejoined and they will be contacted soon. The current copies of the winter National Allotment magazines are available in the Community Shed. Hilary will be contacting Association members soon to update them on our current situation and changes. A cheque has been sent to National to pay for 20 members, other people that join will be added on
Treasurer’s report
The current balance at the bank is £1569.94.
The online banking is still not functioning properly but should be fixed by next Monday after yet another mandate is filled in and posted.
Hilary would like to propose that we open a savings account as even the small amount of interest earned will offset our monthly bank charges.
A cheque has been issued for £70 for our membership to National and one other has been signed for the Kings Seed order and Hilary is awaiting confirmation of the amount.
Correspondence received from Lloyds Bank is about changes to our online banking terms and conditions on 28th November, and updates to our account terms and conditions for the 10th December. Hilary will read through these to
see what is relevant to us.
Hilary has spent hours at the bank trying to arrange the correct signatures and details for the bank and was thanked for her continuing efforts.
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4
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Site Matters
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22 people on waiting list with 1 half and 1 full plot available.
Hedge cutting complete but Stuart will organise his team to trim the trees overhanging the path leading up from the first car park. He will also check plots for trees that have grown too high.
Stuart has ordered cameras with SIM cards to monitor the tracks.
There is progress on the lease renewal. The 2 sections of the site will both be covered by a new 25 year lease.
Council funding is being sought for renewal of the external blue pipework on the water tanks, laying a concrete pad to eliminate potholes by the entrance gate and improved perimeter fencing.
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5
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Association Committee
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Hilary Tuite has taken the role of treasurer/membership secretary back temporarily as Heidi stepped down for personal reasons. At the next AGM in May 2026, we will be needing a new secretary, as well as people with IT and practical skills to help run the association. Please give it some thought! All the association have served more than the statutory 3 years. We would love people to come forward for these roles now so they can work alongside the current committee.
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6
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Future Events
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A list of possible future events is below. Please could plot holders let us know what they think and please make other suggestions.
We will decorate the Christmas tree at the TIC when they have one.
Hilary suggested forming a “growing group” to produce plants to sell at stalls in the Farmers’ Markets, possibly one or two. If we pay about £80 for public liability insurance for the year, the amount per event seems more reasonable if we do several events. David Griffiths is the council contact for Farmers markets. Some people could make jam and chutney.
Friday June 6th suggested for an early evening family BBQ.
Early August, (possibly 15th) for a Fun Day with events for children and produce show.
Harvest Supper early October
Dates for future business meetings discussed. The next meeting will be 7pm Jan 7th in Council art gallery.
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7
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Seed catalogue arrangements
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This year was chaotic, our apologies. The procedure should be that the membership secretary gives out the catalogues to association members when the catalogues arrive. An information flier should be attached to the front covers so people know when and where to return their order forms and money. Jane Lacey is still willing to collect the orders and money, send off the orders and supervise distribution of the seeds when they come. Her address is available in the community shed if you want to put in a late order.
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8
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Allotment Association info sheet
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These should be distributed by Sarah at the Council when she issues contracts.
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9
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Association Web-site
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Concern raised that only two people know how to upload material to the site . In view of the reduced number of association members the annual cost of £85 is more difficult to afford. Could the Town Council web-site host more allotment information? Various people said that they had found it a useful point of contact.
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10
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Padlock problems
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If your padlock key does not work, take it back to the Council Offices in office hours and ask for a new one. There may be a faulty batch.
Do not use normal WD40 on the padlock. It requires a specialist lock lubricant.
The lock to the pedestrian gate has been placed on the inside of the gate so it will be easier for people who have been locked in by mistake to get out.
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11
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Feedback from Leominster in Bloom “It’s your neighbourhood” awards
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Hilary & Kay attended the award ceremony in September. We were awarded 83 points, “Thriving” level. Only 3 points short of “outstanding”.
Areas for development:
· Shorten the time allowed for neglected plots to be reallocated to welfare call, letter 1 then letter 2 would be termination of contract. This change would need to be approved by the Council.
· Install cameras to deter thieves – in hand.
· Improve flower tubs by painting them and possible stacking to give height to the display.
· Paint a mural on the cube. (Penny, Kay, and others)
· Add a notice to the swap table so people know what they should and should not put there. Stuart is working on this.
The feedback from the “In Bloom” judges is available in the community shed.
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12
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Manure delivery
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Delivered today, thanks to Charley Crosse, Mr Gareth Davies who delivered it and Sophie Small who donated it from her stables. The cost of collecting and delivering was £190. Cost to plot holders same as last year, £2 per barrow load, £15 for 10 loads. Put the money in the shed or pay by BACS.
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Kay thanked the participants for attending and closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
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