Present

Simon Barefoot

John Nunn

Carol Arnold

Phil Hitchcock

Ralph Avery

Linda Chamberlain

Richard Davis

Stuart Farrar

Geraldine Feehally

Jess Grammer

Liz Harris

Esther Hooley

Debbie Massey

Rosalyn Mayho

Graeme Bone

Jason Saunders

Graham Stapleton

Danusia Taylor

Graham Scothern

Rachael Taylor

Brigitte Turnbull

Charles Wadd

Carol Westcott

Andy Wright

Nicola Andrews

President

Treasurer

Secretary

Apologies

Neil Andrews

Donnie Smalley

Ron and Maureen Jenkins

Bryan Hoy

Siobhan Taylor

Peter Johnson

Mick Clarke

Mark Duffin

Allen Wiggins

Duncan Murray

Sean Biollo

Jayne Whitehouse

Anndi Sheppard

Tom Moffat

Georgina Wale

Lisa and Mick Hammond

Item

Discussion and Decisions

Action

1. Previous Meeting’s Minutes

The minutes of the 2022 AGM held on 26 Mar 2022 were agreed. Proposed by Ralph Avery, seconded by Carol Arnold.

2. Treasurer’s Report

John Nunn presented the accounts. He informed members that it had been a good financial year. The Association started the year with a balance of £2944 (at 14/1/22) and now has a balance of £4080 (at 14/1/23). However, rents will be kept the same as future needs cannot be predicted. The Treasurer named the major spends of the year. These included a combitool at £178, insurance at (approx.) £150 and a new trailer at £180. Regular payments include the standing charge for the mains water of £110 for the year. This ensures supply is available if needed. Around £50 a year is spent on petrol. The Association pays £94 a year to the town council for rent. The accounts were agreed, proposed by Rick Davis and seconded by Phil Hitchcock.

3. President’s Report

Water 

The President reported that there has been much hard work to build different types of rain harvesters. Phil Hitchcock continues to put in considerable time and effort. More intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) have been added to the site and there are now more than 100 in total. There are also a variety of other storage tanks. Last year the President challenged members to reach the point where everyone can collect and store all the water they need individually, thus removing dependency on the well and the mains supply. The Association did turn on the mains water last year towards the end of the season. However, the President is confident that this year, if members use their own supply ahead of communal water, the Association should be in a good position. Because of ongoing maintenance, members will not immediately be able to access the well water butts along the central pathway and will have to use their own source collected over the winter. Ten years ago, the Association held an Extraordinary General Meeting due to water shortages and the president highlighted the fact the water collecting potential was perhaps not being fulfilled and that this needed to be addressed both on an individual and collective basis. After this, the first IBCs were delivered, kindly organized by K. Garfoot. The President congratulated the membership on reaching the current position. However, he cautioned members, predicting that even more water will need to be stored in coming seasons and he shared his thoughts on looking at capturing rain from premises which border the site. One roof is already linked to the site’s storage facilities and this could be extended. Careful thought and planning will be needed to achieve this.

Seed/Catalogue Orders

Kings Seeds were used as the supplier again this year. 25 orders were placed with 366 items ordered. The final bill was £522.44 after the 50% discount on seeds. Of interest, Butternut squash was ordered most often, just ahead of Winter leeks, Desiree potatoes, Orelia courgettes and Hurst peas.

Manure

Members have benefitted from ‘donkey drops’ which have been brought to the association by Mick Hammond who has generously given his time to help the President collect them. To date around 150 deliveries of three bags or more have been made. Rick Davis spent some considerable time organizing the bulk arrival of the manure. 416 barrow loads were bought this year, up from 311 the previous year. Members reported that the quality was good. The President believes members felt more in control of getting the amount of manure they wanted for their plots and more able to manage that amount. There was some discussion around the size of a barrow load as members may have different sized barrows and may fill their barrows to different heights.

Maintenance

The President thanked Jess Grammer for her offer to help maintain Plot N0.1, nearest the main gate. The fencing of the first plot area is now complete and thanks were given to Phil Hitchcock and Ralph Avery for their assistance with this. Thanks were also given to Rick Davis for his help with grass cutting.

More daffodils were planted on site in the Autumn and the Association pond has matured with many tadpoles last year. Another border project (opposite the Association shed) is getting underway.

Bonfires

The President reported that there continues to be issues with the bonfires taking place on site. The windsock helps to show members whether there is a north wind, but planning is needed to prepare for a bonfire. The fire pit should not be used as a dumping ground. Material to be burned should only be moved to the fire area when a member is personally ready to oversee a bonfire and the weather forecast indicates that there will imminently be a north or northeast wind for the period when the fire is burning. Members must take charge of lighting, overseeing and if necessary, extinguishing the bonfire and should not expect someone else to do this for them. There have been several cases of greenery and other unsuitable material being left in the bonfire area. All members were urged to adhere fully to the published guidance on bonfires.

A member pointed out that it is perhaps better to burn a bigger amount in one go than have lots of smaller bonfires. Members were requested to consider taking on the role of being responsible for all bonfires, perhaps having 4 bigger bonfires/year.

Shredder

Members were reminded that there is a large shredder available. This can be used for such things as prunings and sprout stalks. The President will undertake the shredding and then return the bits for use on the allotment.

Wildlife

Graeme Bone, Jess Grammer and Alistair Dickson have been involved with a site wildlife survey. Bat and bird boxes have been put up on site. There are some bird boxes and bat boxes available for members if they would like them.

Officers

Thanks were given to John Nunn for his financial stewardship. The President announced that John has decided that this is the right time to step down and leave someone else to tussle with the virtual reality of no local banks. Mr. Nunn has been in his role for three decades, an extraordinary long period during which his calm way of dealing with the funds, subscriptions, projects and maintenance costs have been exemplary. As a token of the Association’s appreciation, the President proposed that John Nunn be made an Honorary Member, thus paying no subscriptions for as long as he wishes to tend his plot. The membership agreed.

Thanks were given to Nicola Andrews for her work as Secretary.

Scarecrow Competition

Lisa Hammond organized the first scarecrow competition. Members were reminded that this was won by Jayne Whitehouse. The President proposed that a similar event, together with a BBQ, be held this coming year. Thanks were given to Linda Chamberlain for running the raffle.

Association Cup

The Association Cup was awarded to Carol Arnold.

4. Election of Officers

The current President and Secretary expressed a wish to continue in their positions. These Officers were elected, proposed by Stuart Farrar and seconded by Carol Arnold. As mentioned previously, the Treasurer is stepping down. Ralph Avery offered to fill the position. Proposed by Simon Barefoot, seconded by John Nunn.

5. Any Other Business

A member queried the size of the current waiting list for an allotment at the site. They were informed by the President that it stands at 9. The member also questioned whether members should be able to have more than one allotment or if allotments could perhaps be made smaller so that more people could have one. Members were informed that no one has more than two allotments. Members discussed the issue of the site lease which is due for review by the local council in 2025. If the lease is renewed, it should be for 21 years. It will be important when the lease is reviewed that all plots are well tended and that a demand for plots can be demonstrated.

6. Any Other Business

The meeting was closed at 8.35pm

7. Arrangements for Next Meeting

The details of the next meeting are to be confirmed.