Present: Keith Worsley (Chair), Margaret Jackson
(Secretary), David Jackson (Treasurer), Veronica Burns, Glyn Platt, Kathryn
Worsley.
In attendance: Paul WilliamsonApologies: Pev Evans
The Newsletter had been distributed on the site. It had led
to a number of plot-holders paying their subs (10).
The promised visit from the Council Rat-catcher has not
materialised. We will again flag this for
attention in the Monthly Report. It has also been placed on the abas
concerns matrix which goes to the Council each month.
It was
decided to nominate the following for the New Entrants section in the Bolton Allotment
Competitions
- Plot 60B
- Plot 38A
- Plot 1&2
The Grass on
the top field has been cut – the cost was £40.00. There will be subsequent cuts
as needed throughout the growing season.
It has been
reported that schoolchildren from Smithills School are using the site as a short-cut.
They climb over the gate by the ginnel and if the main gate is locked they undo
the posts keeping it shut, slide back the bar and force a gap through which
they can squeeze. This put pressure on the lock and will eventually cause it to
fail. Can plot-holders please ensure that when they fasten the gates they use
the chain to make the tightest possible fastening?
On a related
matter (that of people entering the site from Moss Bank Way) it was decided to
situate one of our security cameras on the Bottom Row. The building on plot 61
was recently broken into and we suspect the intruders came in this way. This
will also enable us to check the activities of the deer.
There has
been a complaint about some tenants running water for long periods. When the
hose isn’t properly fixed to the tap this leads to flooding onto other plots,
and if the tap in use is at the Brew Room end it means that plot-holders further
down the site have no water pressure. Please show consideration to other
plot-holders when using water.
On a related
matter, the Committee asked that the
Secretary contact Neighbourhood Services to enquire whether some of the redundant
240 litre wheelie bins could be diverted to the site to be used as water
storage butts.
Finally the Secretary will investigate purchasing a large water butt for storing rainwater to use to flush the toilets when the mains is switched off.
Finally the Secretary will investigate purchasing a large water butt for storing rainwater to use to flush the toilets when the mains is switched off.
There was
again a strong feeling amongst the Committee that the doors on the Amenity Hut need
replacing (and indeed that the roof of the store section needs attention. This will be flagged on the Monthly Report
to the Council, plus we will contact Cllr Hayes about Area Forum money. David
thinks there may be possible sources for grants to do the work, but asked again
for volunteers to take on some of the fundraising role.
Some burnt
material has been deposited on the bottom row. The Secretary is aware of this
and has agreed that it is to be removed by the tenant as soon as possible.
Two members
are seeking to arrange deliveries of manure. The Society will pay the transport
costs. The manure will be free to members as usual. Similarly we hope supplies
of bark will continue.
The
beekeepers would again warn against encroaching on the bee-hive area. One set
of bees in particular can be quite aggressive and bees are in any case
unpredictable. Hence stay out or be stung!
Most members
will be aware of the situation facing Mr Wynne on plot 51. The Society remains
ready to offer any help that he or his family may request.
The
Secretary is arranging for a Green Waste Skip to be placed on the site.
Planning for
the Summer Solstice Bonfire (18th June) continues – Pev will do a
curry.
We are
examining getting new banners for the Open Day event.
Two plots
were identified for stage 1 – informal warnings of inadequate or
mal-cultivation – the Secretary will be contacting those plot-holders.
The next
meeting is 7.30 p.m. June 7th, Hollywood Social Club.
