Present: Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr T Humphries (Dartford Rd), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr R Stone, Mr R Howard.

2. Minutes of the 32nd Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the 3nd Meeting:

Minute 6) Mr Humphries reported that DBC had been informed of the winners of this years Allotments competition and the usual arrangements for presentation of trophies. A reply from Dr Osborne was received stating that a date for the presentation ceremony had not yet been arranged. It was also confirmed that all trophies had been returned to DBC from last years winners.

Minute 7) Dr Wiltshire reported that he was still investigating the issue of trust status.

Minute 9) Dr Wiltshire reported that the Autumn Newsletter had been printed and distributed in September.

4. Research Officer's Report:

a) Continued assistance to FCF&CG and NSALG in organising the Allotments Regeneration Initiative which has now been launched. The QED Allotments Group has been mentioned as a partner in all leaflets and press releases for the ARI and QED's participation has also been noted in the Garden News (October 31, 2002 p.3).

b) An item published in the NSALG's Allotment and Leisure Gardener on the ARI and another in London Food Links Projects journal Jellied Eel on selling produce from allotments.

c) Received confirmation from Dartford Borough Council that our responses to the First Deposit Draft of the Dartford Local Plan have been noted.

d) Attended the first meeting of the London Food Links project's Steering Group at Sustains HQ on 30th September and relaunch event for City Farms and Community Gardens at the new City Hall in London on 4th November.

e) Paper entitled "Allotments for Health and the Health of Allotments" delivered at the inaugural meeting of the Gardening Research and Information Network (GRAIN) at the University of Loughborough on 12th September.

f) Since the last meeting, advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related issues has been given to plotholders in Hyde (Cheshire) and Tameside, and to the Sheffield Wildlife Trust, a Swedish garden writer, the Dutch Care for Farms Support Centre, a student at Oxford Brooks University and a BBC Gardeners World Researcher.

5. Joint activities with other QED Groups:

a) QED Pollution and Waste Management Group: No report.

b) QED Health Group: Date for the next meeting is expected shortly.

c) QED Biodiversity Group: Mr Still reported that work is being undertaken at the Tredegar Wildlife Pond o improve the banks and planted areas.

6. Dartford Show 2003: The committee recommended that the QED Steering Group undertake a survey in the new year of the commitment from local organisations who will be exhibiting in the QED tent. For the Allotments Group we will need commitments to be tabled at the next meeting.

7. QED AGM: It was agreed at the AGM that QED should play a proactive role in connection with the forthcoming Community Plan.

8. Visits and Conferences:

a) It was reported that Mr Stone attended an LGA meeting and will be tendering a visit report.

b) It was reported that Mr Stone has now received the second Lawrence Hills memorial plaque. He has contacted Mr Alan Gear at HDRA who has arranged that it will be formally presented to the HDRA at the next "Potato Day" in February 2003. The committee agreed that the QED Steering Group should be requested to fund a small delegation to attend, it is expected that Mr Stone will report at the next meeing.

9. Dates of Meetings in 2003: The following dates have been booked with the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre: 3rd February, 7th April, 2nd June, 7th July, 1st September, 3rd November.

10. Any Other Business:

Allotments Survey - The committee discussed the survey document being circulated through Mr John Hedger (DBC) and could not understand why this survey was being undertaken.

11. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Monday 3rd February 2003 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

End: Return to the QED Allotments page ...