Greencroft and Waterman's Allotments in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Andrew Hawkins, Natasha Street, Peter Anderson, Doug Richards, Dave McEwen, Marisa Francini, Robin Rippon, Liz Cope, Chris Pye.
Peter Herbert, Alison Engleby, Ian Reissmann.
Accepted without change.
MF asked for clarification regarding point 9), the security of phone numbers online. Committee to contact MF if they wanted their phone number removed.
MF presented the proposed rent increase recommended by the Council for October 2011- September 2012. This was based on a 3% increase on the 2010/11 rents, which have been frozen for 2 years. See Appendix 1 for detail. A discussion took place, and the rent increase proposal was considered reasonable and was agreed by the AA Committee.
4.1) Extra Allotments Project. DR, MF, Becky Walker and Gareth Bartle (HTC) met at Watermans in May and agreed the area that could be used for extra allotments (66 metres by 9 metres - approx 8x3 pole starter plots).Confirmation of land ownership is being sought by the Council with the Land Registry. Tenders have been issued for clearing the area and making good, and costings will be discussed at the next R&A Council meeting on 13.07.10. AH made the point that hedging had been planted in this area approx. 4 years ago, and that every effort should be made to save this, and use it at the new boundary. The issue of topsoil was discussed, and it was agreed that no topsoil was needed for these extra allotments, and that the 'compost' material stored by Gareth on the south side of the site should be used to improve the soil quality. Water on the site was discussed: there are only 7 taps at Watermans for 94 plots. See Watermans section below.
4.2) Deer fencing project. A paper on this is being prepared for the R&A meeting at the end of September. Information is still being gathered for this paper; see appendix 2 for details. The Watermans questionnaire, sent out with the newsletter in May, had been returned by 20 people, which was a great response. The issue of vandalism was seen to be of great importance, and it was felt by plot holders that a fence should tackle the vandalism as well as the deer problem. A summary of the points raised is attached (Appendix 3). The AA Committee thanked MF for the work she was doing towards the deer fence project, and it was agreed that pressure should be put on the NSALG to help with identifying best practice at other allotment sites. The draft paper would be presented to the AA for further discussion before it went to the Council.
DM reported that the AA funds stood at £2,850. This had increased since the last meeting due to 2 social events: the Boat Trip/raffle had raised a net profit of £591, and the Plant Sale had raised £224.
5.1) DM has written a cheque for the annual NSALG fees, but this is still to be posted. Membership costs are £2 pp, and there are currently 180 plot holders (90 at each site).
DR reported that the waiting list had increased to 8, and that 5 plot holders who were failing to maintain their plots had been written to. 2 had been given a reprieve, but 3 were being evicted.
6.1) 5 trained first aiders had offered their services and DR was organising flags for them to raise when on site, so they would be visible to others.
6.2) A number of taps had been replaced recently. Thanks to Gareth for his prompt help with leaky taps!
6.3) DR proposed that double tap attachments be purchased for Watermans to help with the limited taps availability at peak times. These attachments allow for two hosepipes to be used at the same time from one tap, and cost c.£10 each from B&Q. It was agreed that DR should purchase 10 of these, and that they would be given to key plot holders to use/store to avoid them being stolen. MF to include in the next newsletter.
LC updated the Committee that she had a waiting list of 18. Action had been taken with various plot holders who were failing to maintain their plots to try to help alleviate this waiting list. Some plot holders had had health issues, but an other had been written to, with notice pending should they fail to improve their plot. It was agreed that Carl Lambourne from Watermans be asked to tidy up one particular overgrown plot, and that a time and date be set for Committee members to help another plot holder move her shed to her new plot.
7.1) Cricket Club update. The shared parking on match days was working very well to date. The Cricket Club is keen to let plot holders use its toilet facilities. DM to organise an 'open' morning (Tues or Thurs am) for plot holders to visit the facilities, AH/LC to be available at the open morning, and MF to publicise this in the next newsletter. DM also suggested that the next AA meeting take place at the Cricket Club Pavilion, so that all Committee members could see the new facilities. DM to organise. Honorary membership of the Cricket Club for plot holders to be explored by DM too.
7.2) A discussion took place on the water facilities at Greencroft. Some pumps were not working (PH aware), and some tanks were plastic/not really adequate for water tanks. CP offered the use of 2 oil tanks that he had spare, but these would need to be cut in half and power- washed. The question of plot holders using small battery pumps was raised, and MF to ask Becky Walker to confirm with Thames Water if a licence was needed for the use of these pumps.
7.3) LC has been contacted by Viv Greenwood regarding 2 private houses with gardens in Henley that would be willing to share a part of their garden with someone willing to grow vegetables. It was agreed that signs should be produced for notice boards on both sites promoting this, and that LC should explore whether or not anyone on her waiting list would want to take up this opportunity. See AOB for further thoughts on private garden share schemes.
The site was constantly being updated with photos and information. Thanks to go to Jon and Graham Jones for doing an excellent job. It was suggested that GJ's Blog could go on the site - MF to follow up.
The Boat Trip had both gone exceptionally well, and had raised substantial funds for the AA (see Treasurer's report above). Thanks to go to Hobbs, and Peter Herbert for use of the boat; it was agreed that both Jonathan Hobbs and Peter Herbert should be thanked with a letter and small gift (LC to organise). Thanks also to AE and LC for organising the food, and MF for the quiz. Everyone really enjoyed the evening, and the weather was stunning!
9.1) The Plant Sale had also raised a reasonable amount for the AA funds, but it was felt that there were still some missed opportunities that would make it even better next year e.g. sale of plot holders’ rhubarb. The weather had been very sunny and warm, which also helped turnout.
9.2) Dates for upcoming events. The annual BBQ will be held at Watermans this year on Saturday August 14th from 3 - 7pm. DR and LC to co-ordinate. The annual garden trip was confirmed as Wisley on Thursday 16th September. MF to organise. The sunflower, pumpkin and scarecrow competition dates were still to be set. AE/DR to organise. A GQT will take place in November, and Christmas meal at Christchurch in December. A date for both these events TBC at the next meeting.
DR mentioned that Christchurch were about to purchase a new BBQ for themselves, and that this could be jointly purchased and shared with the AA if Committee members felt this was appropriate. It was agreed that Committee members would rather use their own BBQs for the annual BBQ rather than purchase one.
10.1) RR mentioned that there were free 'two thirds' sized pallets available at Higgs if collected.
10.2) AH requested that all Committee members think how we could harness the huge bank of gardening/vegetable knowledge that experienced plot holders have. MF to contact Graham Jones to see if he would be willing to run a course for newcomers (could be half hour per month, to be more relevant), and MF to discuss with GJ what other practical ideas could be effective.
10.3) The AGM date was still to be set, and it was agreed that it should take place the last week of October, probably Thursday 28th October if the Council Chambers at the Town Hall are free. MF to confirm with BW. RR requested that the constitution be checked to see that this date (2 weeks later than last year) was within the rules.
10.4) Garden Share Scheme. A discussion took place regarding which body should manage a GSS. It was agreed that this should sit with Henley Transition Group. MF to look at Stratford Transition, who run a very successful GSS (Stratford do not have any allotments), to see what work was involved.
10.5) MF informed the Committee that Ian Reissmann was no longer on the R&A Committee, so Chris Pye was now our only direct link.
10.6) MF mentioned an open day at 'Ways and Means' on Sat 26th June, and that a Committee member had been invited to attend. Everyone was busy this Saturday, so MF to contact W&M to ask that at least 6 weeks notice be given next year, so that someone could possibly attend.
Thursday 12th August, venue TBC with agenda; to be either the Cricket Club Pavilion or 84 Makins Road.
The meeting closed at 21.30.
Appendices
Select one of the following
Newsletters in PDF format more suitable for printing