Minutes of the 10th Meeting of the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee
at Princes Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday May 18, 1998 from 8.00 pm
Present: Mr W Munday (Kent Beekeepers), Mr P Fry (Kent Beekeepers), Mr R Howard (Gore Rd),Mr B Ringrose (Wilmot Rd), Mr W Hamilton (Marcet Rd), Mr G Laidlaw (Dartford Rd), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr A Hewitt (W Dartford A. & G.S. & Temple Hill Wine Circle), Dr R Wiltshire (QED Steering Group), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).
1. Apologies for Absence
Mrs S Morey (Editor QED Newsletter), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe).
2. Minutes of the Ninth Meeting
Accepted.
3. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Ninth Meeting
a) National Spring Clean: Bean Allotments were provided with a skip under the scheme to tidy their allotment site and surrounding area.
b) Pallets and Other Materials: The Chairman has had further discussions with Akzo Nobel Ltd for the supply of barrels, they may soon be in a position to do so, transportation to be organised.
c) Newsletter: 1000 have been printed for local circulation and 300 extra copies have been requested by W Midlands Allotments and Leisure Gardeners for circulation to its members.
d) QED Website: The Chairman circulated specimen pages and offered to provide and set up Web-pages for any participating Society who wish to make data available to users of the Internet.
e) Publicity: Six press reports relating to QED Allotment activities have recently been published including one in The National Federation of City Farms Newsletter.
4. Draft response to DETR's "Opportunities for Change" [circulated with this Agenda]
The draft response circulated to committee members was discussed and it was agreed that this would be forwarded to the Sustainable Development Unit at the D.O.E. for consideration.[Secretary's note: An acknowledgement has been received].
5. Allotment Watch
Due to continuing construction work around the Gore Rd site with continuing damage to fences and gates by lorries being experienced, the fixing of allotment Watch signs has been delayed but it is expected that this will be undertaken shortly. Consideration was given to the extension of the scheme to Bean and Marcet Rd allotment sites.
6. Darenth Country Park QED Project
a) Dr Wiltshire gave a presentation on his recent site visit as QED representative. A survey and cost estimate for the water supply has been carried out. Carpet delivery is to begin after deliveries to Bean Allotments are completed. Report from the Biodiversity Group on wildlife survey is awaited. Discussions have been held by the Darenth Park Advisory Group on the proposed siting of the new orchard with consideration being given to an alternative area adjacent to the allotments.
b) The position of insurance cover for QED members undertaking tasks in the park have not been clarified by DBC, QED may have to seek insurance cover for its members possibly via the National Federation of City Farms Scheme, chairman will report progress at the next meeting.
c) Groundwork are anxious to set up a "Farmers Market" in the East Dartford area and discussions with Arrow Riding Centre have shown that similar systems have operated there in the past. The committee discussed the possibility of a future venture where surplus plants and produce from allotment sites are sent to Arrow Riding Stables for sale with proceeds donated to the Stables.
7. B&Q's "Quest"
Each B&Q store has appointed an Agenda 21 officer.Apart from local organizations having the opportunity to accept surplus and damaged merchandise from stores there is also a scheme where B&Q will make a grant of up to £250 in goods for a worthy local project. The committee discussed the subject and provision of hand tools to help establish horticultural therapy groups on allotment sites was considered but other ideas are requested. Chairman to liaise with the Dartford store representative.
8. Dartford Festival 1998
Kent Beekeepers and the Temple Hill Wine Circle have been invited to participate in the QED Allotments exhibit. General discussion took place on the QED exhibit and its overlap with the "Green Road Show", detail planning will be undertaken at a later date.
9. Any Other Business
The chemicals leaflet is to be publicised via the local media shortly and it will also be available on the QED Website. Representatives from Dartford will be attending a seminar in Bradford on iniatives to set up focus groups for Asian women where horticulture, nutrition & health issues can be discussed. Mr G Laidlaw (Dartford Rd) is to visit Uplands Allotments Birmingham. A QED Year planner is to be printed with local events highlighted and distributed throughout the Borough.
10. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 22nd June, from 8.00 pm, at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.
NB: Subsequently changed to Monday 29th June. Same time and venue.
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