Greencroft and Waterman's Allotments in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Peter Herbert, Peter Anderson, Doug Richards, Dave McEwen, Marisa Francini, Robin Rippon, Alison Engleby, Liz Cope.
Andrew Hawkins, Natasha Street, Ian Reissmann, Chris Pye.
Accepted without change.
DM updated the Committee regarding the Dappers' request to keep bees. HTC had given permission for bees to be kept, and the Dappers had attended the required bee-keeping course. AH, LC and DM had met with the Dappers on their plot, and the siting of the beehive had been agreed. The Greenwoods (who have kept bees before and have the adjacent plot to the Dappers) were happy to be 2nd on call should they be needed. The Dappers were hopeful of having the hive set up by June. The next newsletter would communicate this to plot holders.
3.1) A discussion ensued regarding a number of small incidents that had recently taken place on both sites, and it was agreed that PH should produce posters for the notice boards regarding hazards on the sites. This was to cover the supervision of children, dogs to be kept on a lead, what to do if a plot holder saw strangers on site, covering of water tanks, etc.
MF updated the Committee regarding the proposed deer fencing and extra allotments. The R&A Committee had approved the principle and style of deer fencing for Watermans, but the exact position and extent of the fencing was still to be confirmed. (See R&A minutes 9.3.10). There had been a site visit on 12.3.10 with Henley Councillors, SODC Forestry Officer and AH to discuss the proposed allotment extension/ possible TPO on the Spinney. The AA Committee had been asked for their views on the possibility of extending the allotments at Watermans, which would be included in a report going to HTC in April. Following a discussion between the AA Committee members, it was agreed that any additional allotments had to be a good thing, and that if there were no other sites available for consideration, that all the extension options at Watermans had to be considered. It was agreed that extending into the Spinney was not really suitable, but the strip of land to the north of Watermans between the allotments and the estate should be seriously considered. MF to check with Becky Walker that there was no public right of way through the strip of land north of Watermans.
4.1) DR requested an update as to whether or not there were plans to remove the tree stumps outside the Watermans exit, as last year the growth around the stumps had not been cut back regularly, and the exit at times had been as dangerous as before the trees had been cut down. MF confirmed that the last mention of the stumps (Jan 09 HTC minutes) said that no further work would be carried out and that it was hoped that the stumps would eventually die. MF to ask BW to re-discuss with Mike Kennedy.
4.2) RR requested that MK commit to grass and hedge cutting on a regular basis, as maintenance of these areas had been very haphazard in the past. MF to discuss with BW.
DM reported that no money had been spent from the AA funds since the last meeting, and that there was £2400 in the bank.
The communal shed had still to be repaired, but the corrugated roofing had been purchased and cut, and DR was hopeful that it would be repaired in the next few weeks.
6.1) Some boundary paths were not being maintained; some plot holders had built small fences across these paths. MF to reiterate in newsletter which paths were boundary paths, and that these had to be kept clear.
6.2) All the new metal plot numbers that DR had been given had been used, and DR needed another 3 to complete the Watermans site. LC to give DR 3 of hers.
6.3) The water at Watermans would be switched back on at Easter.
6.4) The Council compost heap was getting quite untidy. MF to discuss with BW if Gareth Bartle could improve segregation of material.
6.5) PH commented that he had seen the Watermans gate open at night on a number of occasions, and had stopped to close it. DR confirmed that, despite reminders that plot holders MUST close the gate if last to exit the site, plot holders were still not doing this. MF to reiterate the importance of doing this in next newsletter.
The replacement fence by the car park was going ahead, and 4 new pumps (to be paid for and owned by HTC) had been purchased by PH.
7.1) LC had spoken to a couple of plot holders in the past few weeks regarding bonfires. A complaint had been made to HTC regarding a plot holder bringing waste onto Greencroft to burn: this was against the tenancy agreement rules, and had caused much black smoke and inconvenience to neighbours. Liz has also had to douse a couple of bonfires left smouldering. MF to reiterate the bonfire guidelines in the newsletter, and PH to produce a laminated copy of the good bonfire guidelines for the notice boards.
7.2) LC commented that the Greencroft waiting list had gone up to 18, and that it might take up to 2 years to accommodate this.
MF commented that the site had been very well received, and that she was getting around 3 to 4 e-mails a week to deal with - mainly from people wanting to go on the waiting list. LC commented again on how great the website looked, and thanked Graham Jones, Jon Lock and Liz Reid for their contribution.
Boat trip: PH will produce tickets by next week, (approx 70 tickets to be sold, with catering for 80). AE is happy to prepare the food, and MF, Sally Greenwood and Sue Rippon are willing to help with the food on board. Quiz to be done, with each Committee member producing 5 questions to go to MF by end April for compilation. Questions to be subdivided as follow: PA - Henley History. PH - Vegetables and fruit used in sport (!). RR - Composting/Soil. DR - Birds. LC - general gardening. DM - general gardening. AE and MF exempt! A raffle would be held again, with 6 quality prizes needed. Toad Hall, Loch Fyne, Gorvett and Stone, Hotel du Vin to be approached amongst others (N.B. No Wyvale this year!). Guest invitations to go to John Brits, and Martin Sheldrake + 1 only.
9.1) Henley Flower Festival - week commencing 17th May 2010. A number of events were being planned for this week; the following events had already been confirmed: a) Gardeners' Question Time - Thursday May 20th at the Town Hall. This was a charity event, and being driven by the Mayor. Ticket price had been set at £5, and this event is open to the public. Martin Sheldrake had been asked to be on the panel, and LC, DR, AH would be happy to go on the panel if needed. Other plot holders that could be asked to go on the panel included Tom Batty, Margot Dapper, Graham Jones etc. b) Plant and Seed sale/swap - Saturday 22nd May in the Market Square, 9.30am - 3.30pm. DM to check with the Mayor whether Toad Hall willing to give free seeds, and if AA should plant some of these on. Plot holders to be reminded that extra plants should be planted for this event. MF to promote both these events in the newsletter, and DM to contact Liz Hodgkin to confirm what else the AA could do to support this.
9.2) Judging for the Best Plot, Best Newcomer and Best Site will be in mid-July!! Exact date to be kept a secret, AH and LC will be judging as usual. The approx. date for this is to be publicised, so that plot holders can tidy their plots!
9.3) There would be a BBQ at both sites this year, as plot holders did not mix and tended to go to their own site only. Dates TBC.
9.4) A trip to Wisley would go ahead again this year. MF to organise, to be from July onwards. Date TBC at next meeting.
MF confirmed that a local woodsman, Mark Cottrell, would be coming to both sites on Saturday 24th April to sell beanrods and peasticks. Notices to be produced for both sites asap to promote this, confirming times and prices.
10.1) DM had obtained some excellent quality manure for his plot from a farm in Hambledon. The farmer still had some available (collect only), but not enough to publicise to tenants. Anyone wanting details to phone DM.
10.2) RR confirmed that he and Sue (Master Composter for S. Oxon), would be attending a course at Garden Organic near Coventry on Thursday 15th April (from 1.30pm to 4.30pm). 3 spare seats would be available in the car. This could this be put online, in case anyone wanted to come with them. MF to organise.
10.3) DM commented that it would be good if the Henley AA website could promote courses that were run by official gardening organisations via links. MF confirmed that we already had links to the home pages of these organisations, but that she would discuss with Jon/Graham if we could have new links to the appropriate course pages.
10.4) MF asked if there was to be any manure provided, for general use by plot holders. DR confirmed that there would not be, as there was none available from his usual source.
Thursday 29th April at 84 Makins Road.
The meeting closed at 21.20.
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