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

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr R Howard.

2. Minutes of the 35th Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the 35th Meeting:

7) Mr Stone's report appended.

8a) Mr Humphries regrets that he cannot now obtain publicity through personal contacts.

8b) Dr Wiltshire reported that the newsletter had been distributed on time, but no articles had been received for inclusion.

4. Research Officer's Report:

a) Assisted FCF&CG, NSALG and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation in assessing Round 2 bids to the Allotment Regeneration Initiative (ARI), recommending bids totalling £140.000 out of £1.4 million applied for.

b) Attended meeting of the London Food Link Working Party at Sustain HQ, London on 31st March 2003.

c) Facilitated workshops on devolved management at the ARI Launch Seminar in Birmingham on 2nd April, which will lead to updating of QED's LGA brief on this subject as an ARI publication.

d) Provided ongoing support to Bethan Stagg, the new ARI Development Worker.

e) Submitted comments on planning brief for West Hill Hospital Site on behalf of Tredegar Allotments Club.

f) Since the last meeting advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related issues has been given to plotholders in Birmingham, Eastleigh, Edinburgh, Ipswich, Loughton, Southborough, Thurrock, and Tunbridge Wells, to Chelmsford Borough Council, Ilsinton Parish Council, London Borough of Haringay, and Tring Town Council, to Caroline Foley and a horticulture student at the University of Reading, to Luton FOE, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and North Tyneside CVS, and to a researcher from the Jeremy Vine Programme (BBC Radio 2).

g) Since the last meeting an item on the ARI citing QED as a participant has appeared in Gardens Illustrated.

5. Health Action: Dr Wiltshire met with Jackie Richardson from Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust on 20th March to discuss the potential role of allotments in health promotion in the local area.

6. Joint activities with other QED Groups:

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

b) QED Health Group:

i) It was reported that the date for the next meeting was 8th April.

ii) A detailed report was submitted to the committee for consideration of a project on an allotment at the Dartford Road Site for the construction of a novel design of container beds which could be used by disabled gardeners. The project was discussed and approval given for submission to the QED Steering Committee for funding subject to formal approval from the trustees at the Dartford Road site.

c) QED Biodiversity Group: Mr Still reported that a delegation from Railtrack visited the Tredegar Wildlife Garden.

7. 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.

8. Visits and Conferences:

a) Mr Stone is to attend the "Future of Allotments" Seminar at Reading University on 30th May where one of the main speakers will be our research officer Dr Wiltshire.

b) It is hoped that QED members will be able to attend the ARI Regional Seminars.

9. Any Other Business:

a) Dr Wiltshire has updated the Uplands Allotments Website.

b) BBC Gardeners World series is to feature an allotment from Uplands Allotments over the summer.

10. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Monday 2nd June 2003 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

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