Present: Rob Hellyer
(Chair), Margaret Jackson (Secretary), David Jackson (Treasurer), Gill
Chamberlain, Glyn Platt, Barry Savage
- The Quarterly Meeting / EGM and Barbecue / Thank You meeting will take place on Saturday 5th October – a notice will be put up on the Amenity Hut
- The Co-operative’s AGM will be held in February 2104 –
- 3. Results of August Site Inspections
Flooded Plots – Fred Entwhistle has located a drain which seems to flow across the
road immediately above the flooded plots – we cannot however find the outlet
pipe – report to Alan Crook
Donation to Derian House –
The
Society’s normal practice is to donate 10% of takings on Open day to the chosen
charity in this case Derian House. The Treasurer was instructed to send a
cheque for £70 to Derian House.
There
had been representations that more money should be donated to Derian House,
particularly the entire proceeds of the book stall. It was pointed out however
that many who donated books were donating them to the Society to raise funds
for improvements on the site and not to Derian House. In the light of this it
was decided that we should stick with normal practice and donate 10%. It was
however agreed that should members feel
strongly about this issue they should table a motion for the Quarterly Meeting.
It was further agreed that next year we must
clarify who is raising what money and for whom on Open Day - There is a need to clearly differentiate
between stalls raising money for the chosen charity (e.g. Derian House), stalls
raising money for the Society and stalls being run for the benefit of the
stall-holders and this must be made clear in advance.
Members
have raised the issue as to whether plot-holders who are not (at the time of
the Show) fully paid-up members of the Society should be allowed to enter the Show. It was pointed out that it is the
Society’s Show and is not an Open Show. Therefore
it was resolved that only fully paid up members of the Society should be
allowed to enter the show – the Show Organisers will be provided with an
up-to-date Register of paid up members by the Secretary for Open Day.
Members
have queried whether plot-holders should be allowed to have stalls on their own
plots and if so whether they should still pay the stall rent fee (as do those
with stalls on the field).
It
was pointed out that the Risk Assessment approved by the Council for Open Day
assumes stalls will be restricted to the top field and the area around the
Amenities Hut (although the provision for ‘open plots’ does create some leeway.)
All
activities on Open Day are covered by the Society’s Public Liability and
Product Insurance, this includes the stalls.
Anyone
with a stall is therefore benefiting not just from the efforts of the Open Day
Committee in organising and publicising the event, but also from this insurance
provision (paid for by the Society).
It
was felt that in fairness all stall-holders should make a contribution to these
costs.
It
was suggested that next year the Risk Assessment document
be amended to cover stalls etc. on individual plots.
It was further suggested that anyone wishing to sell produce or any other
items on Open Day should register with the Open Day Committee in advance of the
day and pay an agreed sum which may depend on the location of their stall and /
or whether they need a Society Gazebo etc. Anyone unwilling to pay this sum
will be required to demonstrate to the Open Day Committee that they have taken
out their own Public and Product Liability Insurance as a condition of being
permitted to participate in Open Day.
It was agreed that the Treasurer look out
for cheap deals on pop-up gazebos
with a view to obtaining a further two.
- Equipment
Members are invited to make proposals to
the EGM/Quarterly meeting as to whether to to buy more equipment.
- Manure Delivery
We
are trying to get some more manure deliveries onto the site
- Site Maintenance Work
The
shop will not re-open on Sundays until early 2014 (for seed deliveries etc.)
However a notice will be placed on the shop door informing members that the
shop can be opened on request by any Committee member to enable them to buy
goods. The notice will contain a list of Committee Members.
A
new Toilet and Brew Room Cleaning Rota will be set up (by Susan Jones). Efforts
will be made to expand the pool of volunteers involved.
- Update on Plot 70
All
persons on the Harpers Lane Waiting List were contacted. All who were still
interested were invited onto an induction programme using plot 70. There are 8
people involved. As they complete the programme they will move onto individual
plots (if they so wish). Some may wish to remain cultivating Plot 70. It has
been agreed that the course members will provide work parties to assist each
other with the move onto their new plots.
- Update on Plot 1
The
Council has given permission for a communal development on Plot 1, which is
being funded by a grant from the Big Bolton Fund. The poly-tunnel (20’ x 12’) has
been ordered. Help will be needed to erect the poly-tunnel, build the raised
beds and move the contents of the compost bay to plot 1. When completed Plot 1
will be the Society’s main training plot. It was again agreed that the
poly-tunnle will be used to raise plants (e.g. tomato or brassica plants) which
can be sold through the Society’s shop to raise funds for the Society. There
may also be space which can be used by members to raise their own seedlings..
- Future projects
Business Partnership Scheme at Bolton CVS has been mothballed over the
summer – we hope they will start up again in September / October – aim for a
scheme for new plots and woodland gardens etc. members have suggested that that
this scheme include Communal Beekeeping. The Treasurer will also investigate a
Co-op funded initiative called Plan Bee.
The
Secretary introduced the idea of obtaining a large canteen / office
container-cabin which would
provide a larger meeting place and a storage area for furniture, perhaps a even
a training room for future courses etc. (The Treasurer will investigate Awards
for All, Co-op Community Fund etc. over the winter)
- Harrogate Trip
The
trip is now fully booked. The Society has agreed to make up the deficit on
vehicle hire.
- Association of Bolton Allotment Societies (ABAS) report back
Following
the last (August) ABAS meeting an email was drafted and sent to Sarah Schofield
(AD, Neighbourhood Services) outlining the Association’s views on the abolition
of the post of Allotment Officer plus the Association’s proposal that a) ABAS
take over the organisation of the Fairhurst and other trophies and b) that ABAS
investigate bringing back a Borough-wide Allotment Show. Ms Schofield has
replied agreeing to meet ABAS to discuss these issues.
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