Present: Chairman: Steve Yorke. Treasurer: Kay Graham. Secretary Jackie Medcalf. Phil Hilsden, Paul Marshall, Joe Dyer, Jane Bowden and Joe Dyer.
Apologies: Sos Inger
MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
Chippings: We presume Sos has not had any chance to make contact re chippings. Steve asked to follow up.
Gate: Jackie to pursue funding with council or other body.
Water: Will go back on after the AGM. One tap is leaking a bit Lol is going to dig it out and have a look before then.
Chairman: General thanks to Steve Medcalf and Pete Eady for repairs to gates and fences. Paul and Phil for clearing up Dan’s Garden.
Locks: Railway line one has been reported as faulty.
Main gate lock has become unreliable and does not always lock. Steve to try some WD.40 to see if that works.
Treasurer: reported that she has paid the Public liability Insurance. The welding to strengthen the gate cost £500.
Balance is now £3777.74.
INSPECTION
The secretary then read the report from the council, which now follows a standard set of criteria. Three garden holders, two with more than one plot were highlighted in the report. The state of the railway pathway and hedges were also highlighted. There are also other gardens, which give cause for concern. The secretary will send out letters before 9th Feb and ask for immediate responses as to continuance of or improvement of the gardens. One garden holder will be written to and told he will not be offered the rental on his plot this year. Overall the Council thought progress had been made and there was a general improvement from last year.
POSITION OF TREASURER
Kay is happy to fulfil her duties until the AGM and subsequent hand over. The accounts go to audit on 22nd April in time for AGM on 30th and Kay will step down officially then. Rents will be collected on site weekends of 15th/16th and 22/23rd March. Committee members to be around as well please. Copies of rents to be paid to be available so others can take rents in. Also expectations of council re standards of allotments to be given out..
BURGLARIES
This is in Narrative form by the secretary for the information of all gardeners.
On Wednesday 30th October 13 a hole was cut in the main gate, 6 gardens were entered, property was taken and damaged caused. The Police were informed.
On Wednesday 13th November 13 again a hole was cut in the main gate. This time 8 gardens were broken into. A lot of damage was done to gates and sheds property was taken. Again the Police were informed.
On Wednesday 26th January 14 the front gate wire was cut even though the gate had been strengthened. This time the only garden that appears to have been entered was the Medcalf’s. The gate and shed had been forced and a large heavy tiller was taken from its hiding place behind large planks of wood. The boundary fence had been cut to allow access to the car park on the industrial estate. However, although there were obvious signs the tiller had been taken from the garden and up the path no sign was seen of its being taken up the bank. The following day the Police visited and as it was not raining it was easy to see that the tiller was actually taken to the end car park, obviously with the intention of removing it from site by vehicle. Those of us who had attended each incident suspected that the thief had something to do with the gardens due to the apparent knowledge about the ownership/contents of the targeted gardens and the idea suggested by the entry that this was also the exit. We now know for sure the burglaries have been made to look like the work of a “stranger” when in fact the person who has caused so much damage and loss of property, never mind committee members time and your money to make repairs etc has a key. Therefore the assumption can only be we have a thief in our midst or at the best someone who is happy to give there key to someone else. Please pass on this information to other gardeners who don’t take the opportunity to read the minutes. I would hope that the culprit gives up their garden before our enquires find out who it is and they get arrested. The Police have a key to our gardens and are going to add it to their regular patrol rounds. If you have any information that you think would be helpful please inform the secretary.
AGM 30th MARCH.
To be advertised on the Web site and notice boards. Nominations for new members /agenda items to be included.
AOB
Skip. Agreed to have a skip for general use in the central car park. We have a lot of glass/debris to move from Dan’s garden, other than that all can use. A list of items not allowed will be published before and be on the skip site.
Suggested arrival date February 23rd
Committee to have another meeting on 23rd March to finalise AGM.
Jackie to do order for compost etc. to follow as last year apart from extra Gromore.
Donation to be made to Charity at Dan’s Funeral.
Jane brought up the subject of Bee keeping on site. This has already been requested and will be an item at the AGM.
Jackie to enquire about an Asbestos collection.
Nominations forms for Committee members need to be in two weeks before AGM. New committee members very welcome.
Meeting closed 11.10am
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association 