Present: Mrs J Bourne (Dartford Road), Mr A Hewitt (West Dartford AGS), Mr G Laidlaw (Dartford Road), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr B Ringrose (Wilmot Road), Mr D Risby (Tredegar), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe: Chair), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer).

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr R Johnson.

2. Minutes of the Nineteenth Meeting of the Committee: Accepted and signed by the Chair.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Nineteenth Meeting:

3.12): Membership of the FCF&CG: Mr Stone tabled the Group's Membership Certificate.

7. Signs for Tredegar Allotments and groundskeeping equipment purchased in partnership with QED Biodiversity Group: Mr Still confirmed these items have been received and are in use.

4. Research Officer's Report:

a) Since the last meeting advice has been given on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related matters to plotholder groups and local authorities in Bristol, Gravesham, Halifax, Manchester, Middlesborough and Walsall and to the Foundation for Local Food Initiatives.

b) A letter of thanks has been received from Bolton Allotments Council for QED's support of EDM631.

c) A talk was given to Bromley ALGF on December 3 , 1999 and talks have been arranged for Japanese students visiting QED and Dartford Road Allotments (February 11) and combined academic/gardener audiences at Wye College (February 21) and Tufts University in Boston USA (June 1).

d) Funding has been secured from the QED Steering Group to attend a Conference on International Sustainable Development Research in Leeds, April 13-14 on behalf of QED.

e) Eighteen items relating to QED Allotments have appeared in press and newsletters since the nineteenth meeting, including Amateur Gardening (twice), Allotment and Leisure Gardener (twice) and Kitchen Garden. Fifty-one such items were published in 1999, compared with sixty-five items in 1998.

5. Joint activities with the QED Waste and Pollution Group:

a) Groundwork Home Composting Scheme: The Group noted that the promotion of composting is one of its priorities this year. A proposal from Groundwork for a scheme to build home composters from pallet wood had been considered by the QED Waste and Pollution Group, but clarification was awaited on a number of issues, including diversion of pallets from allotments, support of follow-up volunteers, and distribution of funds raised from sales.

b) Supplies of Materials and Equipment: It was noted that Propump are about to move premises, which will effect the supply of barrels. Pallets are required at Swanscombe, Wilmot Road and Tredegar allotments: Research Officer to contact National Power and Curtis Holt about this.

c) National Spring Clean 2000: Chair to enquire whether a skip to help tidy-up of Swanscombe allotments and environments is required; otherwise (or in addition) a skip is needed for tidy-up of Tredegar and environs. This to be reported to next QED Waste and Pollution Group.

d) Other items passed on by DASC: QED Waste and Pollution Group still has a number of items passed on from Allotments Group to discuss, including database of recyclables, fate of decommissioned wheely bins and disposal of cooking oils.

6. Joint Activities with the QED Health Group:

a) Raised beds at Dartford Road: Mrs Bourne reported that the sleepers have been delivered and work has commenced, with photographs taken at each stage for subsequent display and website. Help with the purchase of tools has been offered by B&Q Dartford, and other sources of support have been approached. A formal opening is planned for the Open day at Dartford Road Allotments on June 24. Research Officer to invite Dr Stoate to attend.

b) Report on Horticultural Therapy course at Walworth January 27: Mrs Bourne reported that she and Mrs Poulton had enjoyed a very interesting and instructive day and had made useful contacts.

c) Herbs for Health: The prospects for this scheme are still under investigation.

d) Health Advice for Gardeners: The Group agreed to add a leaflet on how to avoid health problems while gardening, to be compiled in partnership with QED Health Group and perhaps Thrive, FCF&CG and others, to its list of priorities for 2000/2001. It was reported that Phil Kessel is exploring the possibility of QED hosting a general seminar on "risk assessment".

7. QED Biodiversity Activities:

a) Mr Still reported that the QED Biodiversity Group is involved in replanning Central Park, including restoration of original features such as the fish ponds, in collecting information on local biodiversity-related groups, and in compiling a map of significant biodiversity resources within the Borough.

b) Mr Still will take books by Cherfas, Pilkington and Stickland acquired on QED's behalf at Ryton along to the next meeting of the QED Biodiversity Group.

8. Visits and Conferences:

a) Report on Potato Day at Ryton on February 2: The Chair reported that all twenty-four participants appear to have had a successful and rewarding day. Half the participants had been attracted by the various items placed in local newspapers concerning the trip, and had no prior experience of QED activities.

b) Visit by Japanese Students on February 11: Thirty students from various Japanese universities will attend a talk given by the Research Officer in the Council Chamber before visiting Dartford Road to help with the raised beds, followed by lunch in Eynsford.

c) Future Visits: Ideas tabled included (i) Cambridge Allotments Network + Cambridge University Botanical Gardens + Punting on the Cam, (ii) Victorian Walled garden at West Dean + Millennium Yert in Southampton, (iii) Thrive in Reading + Sensory Gardens in Sutton, (iv) Yalding + Blackthorne Trust + Faversham + East Malling, and (v) allotments near Calais. It was noted that one or more of these trips might be conducted in partnership with West Dartford AGS, which has arranged a visit to Wisley.

9. Dartford Festival 2000 Exhibit: It was provisionally agreed that the Group's exhibit would focus on the raised beds at Dartford Road, possibly in partnership with the QED Health Group. The link between Dartford and HDRA founder Lawrence Hills could also be featured, to help promote a more organic approach to gardening, in partnership with the QED Biodiversity Group.

10. Dartford Community Safety Strategy: The Group approved the Research Officer's written response to the Safety Strategy. Mr Ringrose will advise the Group in due course of purchases to be recommended to improve the security of property on allotment sites, including postcoding equipment, in support of the Strategy. This could be used at Dartford Road's Open Day and Dartford Festival. The prospects for producing (or obtaining from elsewhere) a leaflet on "planting for security" to be explored by the Research Officer. It was agreed that an item on the Strategy should appear in the Spring Newsletter.

11. QED Residents Welcome Pack: Mr Johnson to supply revised content on local allotments to Phil Kessel as soon as possible.

12. Spring Newsletter: This is due out late March / early April. Items to include Dartford Festival Allotments Competition (results from 1999 and rules for 2000), Community Safety Strategy, Potato Day, and forthcoming events from local horticultural societies. Any other ideas to Research Officer as soon as possible.

13. Any Other Business:

a) The Research Officer tabled a response to Dartford Borough Council's Best Value Consultation Document, which was unanimously approved.

b) Information of Going for Green's Biodiversity Month obtained through the Forming Bonds Network to be passed on to the QED Biodiversity Group by Mr Still.

c) Mr Still to pass a report on merits of allotments from Sunderland on to Research Officer for comment.

d) The Research Officer was given leave by the Group to respond on its behalf to comments relating to devolved management in the current issue of the Allotment and Leisure Gardener.

14. Date of Next Meeting: April 3, 2000 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

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