Present: Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr T Humphries (Dartford Rd), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).
1. Apologies for Absence: Mr R Stone, Mr R Howard, Mr M Still..
2. Minutes of the 34th Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.
3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the 34th Meeting: None.
4. Research Officer's Report:
a) Assisted FCF&CG, NSALG and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation in assessing Round 1 bids to the Allotment Regeneration Initiative (ARI) and mentored full applications from LB Redbridge and allotment groups in Doncaster, Leeds, Leicester, LB Harrow, LB Sutton and Nottingham..
b) Attended meeting of the Kent Thameside Community Assembly on 10th December 2002, the London Food Link Working Party at Sustain HQ, London on 16th December 2002 and Second Meeting of the Gardening Research and Information Network (GRAIN) at Thrive HQ, Reading on16th January 2003.
c) Attended Workshop on a National Qualification for Community Food Workers at East Ham Town Hall on 23rd January and appointed to the steering group for this project.
d) Responded to a questionnaire survey from DEFRA's Working Group on Local Food.
e) Submitted comments on Kent Thameside Community Strategy.
f) Produced paper on "The Future of Allotments" to be presented to an Allotments Conference at the University of Reading on 31st May 2003.
g) To attend Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies "Federation Forum" at Hartpury College 26th-27th April 2003.
h) Since the last meeting advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related issues has been given to plotholders in Coventry, Eastleigh, Fleetwood, Leytonstone, LB Merton, Northumberland, Thurrock, Tunbridge Wells, to Bristol City Council, York City Council, the Local Government Association, Groundwork Hertfordshire and a journalist from The Field magazine.
i) Since the last meeting items on the ARI citing QED as a participant have appeared in Amateur Gardening (9th Nov 2002 pp 10-11); Kitchen Garden (Jan 2003 p. 4); The Garden (Jan 2003 p. 10); Organic News (10th Jan 2003 p.1); Allotment and Leisure Gardener (Issue 1, 2003 p.4); an advertisement for the post of ARI Worker in the Guardian (20th Nov 2002); and on the websites for Shell Better Britain Campaign, Country Smallholding, Notts Agenda 21 and 3F.
5. Joint activities with other QED Groups:
a) QED Pollution and Waste Management Group: Pallets are expected to be delivered to the Dartford Road site shortly.
b) QED Health Group: Date for the next meeting is expected shortly.
c) QED Biodiversity Group: An article with photographs appeared in Choice magazine and featured Mr Still and the Tredegar Allotment Site wildlife pond.
6. Dartford Show 2003:
a) Allotments Competition - Mr Humphries reported that the revised schedule for the Dartford Festival Allotments Competition 2003 has been submitted to DBC, the schedule now includes a request for entrants to attend the judging (weekend of 5-6th July) and a final date for return of entry forms (5th June).
b) Participation in Show - No firm commitments for participation have been forthcoming and the committee concludes that QED Allotments will not be involved this year (subject to ratification at the next meeting). However QED Allotments will seek support through the Steering Group for individual sites that wish to participate.
7. Visits and Conferences:
a) A coach party sponsored by QED visited London's first Potato Fair held at Dulwich College on 26th January where 75 varieties of potato were offered for sale.
b) Mr Stone presented the Lawrence Hills memorial plaque to the HDRA at the annual "Potato Day" event held at Ryton Organic Gardens on 2nd February a full report next time.
8. Any Other Business:
a) Mr Humphries to facilitate publicity for the allotments competition in the "Roundabout" feature of a local newspaper.
b) Dr Wiltshire will compile the Spring Newsletter and would welcome articles for inclusion ASAP.
9. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Monday 7th April 2003 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.
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