Greencroft and Waterman's Allotments in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Peter Anderson, Robin Rippon, Doug Richards, Alison Engleby, Andrew Hawkins, Natasha Street, Dave McEwen
Peter Herbert, Marisa Francini, Chris Pye
Accepted without change.
In the last minutes it said that the Rippon's were going to Ryton, but there was no takers so they did not go.
4.1) Fencing at Watermans update: The council is concerned over the cost, so they want to be sure there is a clear need for it, so Marisa & Becky have prepared a questionnaire (copy circulated at meeting) to be distributed to all plotholders at Watermans. Our original suggestion was that the council paid 1/3, association 1/3 and members 1/3. The council took over ideas, suggestions and sightings of fence and at the moment we seem to be going round in circles. Deer are a major problem to most plot holders and questionnaire will be circulated. We are still happy to make a contribution towards cost. Dave McEwen said we definitely need deer fencing but do we need it to be vandal proof too? The view of the committee was that we just need high deer fencing. A.H. wondered about culling them on Watermans. Also we have suffered the deer for 5 years already and can't see a need to monitor them for a further year, we need fence urgently NOW before another year's crops are destroyed.
4.2) Extra allotments. D.R. meeting next week with Gareth & Becky to look at land between allotments and houses, he will report back. I.R. stated it would be several years before the council was in a position where it could purchase land for new plots.
Approx £2,420 in bank.
6.1) 3 on waiting list at the moment. 1 Plot has not been cultivated properly, only half is, so D.R. talked to tenant and other half will be re-let.
6.2) 3 volunteers who are 1st aiders on Watermans, D.R. proposed 1st Aid flags so they can put up on site when they are there. We discussed whether to provide kit or replace what they use, decided to replace as they all have their own kits already. P.A. also thought we ought to find out if any on Greencroft.
6.3) D.R. stated there is 1 person in a 4x4 parking on the top road all the time - letter going to be sent to them.
6.4) Bean and peas stick sale was such a success that he had sold out before he got to Watermans - he is going to be there again on 30th April at 12.00.
7.1) L.C. organised fence to be replaced, the person made a wonderful job on time and in budget. Thanks to them and to the Council for funding it. Where new fence has been put it has now exposed bricks and rubble on plot side - can we tidy it up and needs some soil. D.McE. Looking into it.
7.2) 3 pheasants causing a problem and need to be dealt with. D.McE. will ask George Clarke if he can help.
7.3) N.S. asked if it was possible to have picnic area mowed - grass cutting is no longer contracted out, council staff are doing the job themselves.
7.4) The recent spate of vandalism was discussed.
7.5) Cricket club parking - we have received an e mail from Danny giving dates. We are happy to continue as long as parking is monitored on big match days and that they cut the grass.
No items were discussed.
Thanks to everyone again, we are having lots of compliments about it. Security of phone numbers were discussed.
10.1) Boat Trip - Thurs 3rd June - all in hand.
10.2) Festival of Flowers-16th-22nd May - information about it is in Newsletter. Panel for the question time will be A.H., D.R. & L.C.?
10.3) Carl has volunteered to look after scarecrow, pumpkin and sunflower competition again - Thanks.
It has been suggested by Henley in Transition that we plant and look after the bed at the top of West street (it's about 40' x 20' and has a lot of big New Zealand flaxes in it, as well as brooms, hebes and other evergreen shrubs, and some sycamore saplings). We like the idea but not until autumn - Elizabethan style knot garden was suggested.
24th June.
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