Minutes of the 12th Meeting of the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee
at Princes Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday September 6, 1998 from 8.00 pm
Present: Ms J Morton (Chair QED), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr W Hamilton (Marcet Road), Dr R Wiltshire (QED Steering Group), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).
1. Apologies for Absence: Mr G Laidlaw (Dartford Rd), Mrs S Morey (Newsletter Editor), Mr B Ringrose (Wilmot Road).
2. Minutes of the Eleventh Meeting: Accepted.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Eleventh Meeting
3.3e) Publicity: 18 mentions in the press and media since the last meeting including:-
3.5) QED sign for Marcet Road: The QED sign for Marcet Road has been delivered and will be sited in due course.
3.7) B&Q Quest Scheme: B&Q Quest Scheme: Of the £250 grant £30 has been spent on refurbishing the hanging baskets at the Swanscombe Community Youth Action Station and the remainder for the purchase of garden tools for use by students from NWK College who are undertaking a horticultural therapy project at Dartford Road Allotments.
3.8) Uplands Allotments: Uplands Allotments: To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Uplands Allotments in Birmingham hosted an arts festival on 1st August. The coach party from Dartford had an enjoyable trip which has resulted in the forging of closer links with this progressive organisation.
4. Early Day Motion 1598
Support has been forthcoming from MP's in all major political parties with 48 signatures so far and more expected when Parliament reassembles after the summer recess. Endorsement has come from the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners and the National Federation of City Farms as well as many regional bodies and from the EU through the International Office for Europe.
5. Participation in LGA and SE Local Government Allotment Advisory Groups
The LGA Advisory Group met for the first time on 23rd July to discuss a best practice regime for local uthorities in the aftermath of The Future for Allotments report. QED Allotments have been invited to participate in future meetings. LB of Bromley is setting up an Advisory Group on Allotments for local authorities in the SE and QED has been invited to participate.
6. QED Virtual Potting Shed
This Internet facility sponsored by QED has so far attracted:-
7. QED Allotments Newsletter No. 4
A discussion was held as to the content of the next newsletter, items to be included are: Feature on Future of Allotments/EDM1598, Second Annual Report, Local Society News, Bookshelf, Bean Poles from Joydens Wood (Via the Woodland Trust), Contacts for QED groups and other local societies.
8. Dartford Festival Allotments Competition 1999
A discussion took place as to the feasibility of making the competition more in keeping with the aims and objectives of Local Agenda 21. The following topics were put forward and decisions will be made at the next DASC meeting:-
a) Change the basis of judging to include not only crop quality, crop planning and good husbandry but also waste management (composting) and organic methods.
b) To invite an officer of a local allotments federation to judge participating plots on the Saturday/Sunday two weeks prior to Festival weekend and host a social event.
c) Photographs taken during the judging and social event to constitute the basis of the QED Allotments display at the 1999 Dartford Festival.
9. Report on QED Steering Group's Strategy Meeting (September 2)
A presentation had been made by the new Head of Environmental Services and Leisure DBC Mr C Oliver on Dartford's LA21 Review. Representations had been made on maintaining the title "QED" as the logo for community based activities as it is now nationally known.It was also noted that DBC wishes to see QED groups more self-financing.Mr J Gunn resigned as QED chair and had been replaced by Ms J Morton.
10. Priorities for DASC's Third Year
This topic was discussed and the following were agreed:-
a) Joint activities with QED Waste Management Group - to continue with recycling/reuse of waste materials and seek to strengthen the chain of supply.
b) Joint activities with QED Health Group - support horticultural therapy and gardening for people with disabilities etc.
c) A "Gardening For Life" initiative - leaflet based guide pioneered by Woking's LA21 is to be published in Dartford for distribution via retail outlets on the benefits of gardening as a means of enhancing the environment through biodiversity.
d) Food Issues - Forum to discuss topics such as local Beekeeping, Farmers Markets, local Food Links, genetic modification etc. It was considered that this topic has potential as a separate QED Issue Group.
e) Recruitment - encourage more local associations and plotholders to get involved in this and other QED Groups.
11. Proposed trip to Brogdale for Apple Day
A joint trip in association with the Biodiversity Group has been arranged on 24th October to visit Brogdale in the morning, lunch at the Albion Tavern in Faversham followed by a tour of Stonebridge Pond Allotments in the afternoon. QED will cover the cost of the coach but participants will be responsible for the entrance fee to Brogdale and lunch, the trip will be organised on a "first come first served" basis (further information from Dr Wiltshire).
12. Any Other Business
SERPLAN - Our response was one of 910 received and the only one from an allotments group. The Analysis of Responses Document just issued, includes reference to the need for the Strategy to include "policies to protect allotments and emphasise their contribution to high quality urban living, health and community development".
13. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting has been arranged for Monday 19th October, from 8.00 pm, at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.
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