Present: Mrs J Bourne (QED Health Group), Ms E Smith (Gore Rd), Mr R Howard (Gore Rd), Mr M Still (Tredegar), Mr D Risby (Tredegar), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr A Hewitt (W Dartford A. & G.S.), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe: Chair), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr P Fry.

2. Minutes of the Twenty-Fourth Meeting of the Committee: Accepted with following amendment: Minute 10. b) "regional representative for the south" should have been " regional worker for the east".

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Twenty-Fifth Meeting:

3.8a) Memorial Plaque to Lawrence D Hills: Mr Stone reported that a firm in Gravesend has been asked to quote for the manufacture of a brass plaque, and he is to investigate its siting.

4b) Visit: The scheduled visit by a group of Japanese students was cancelled due to the wet conditions.

10a) FCF&CG Open Gardens Day 10th June: Dr Wiltshire provided more information on the event for the committee.

10b) FCF&CG: Dr Wiltshire has been contacted by Diana Battaglia the FCF&CG eastern regional worker who would like to visit Dartford sites and attend a QED Allotments meeting. The meeting on 11th June was discussed as a possible date, Mr Stone to coordinate arrangements.

4. Research Officer's Report:

a) Since the last meeting, an article including the work of QED Allotments Group has appeared in the March issue of The Ecologist magazine.

b) ISEC book "Bringing The Food Economy Home" has been read and the emphasis is on commercial local food production with nothing on allotments or other forms of self-sufficiency. The foot and mouth outbreak makes their message topical but being Devon based it is unclear if they could attend the festival. Dr Wiltshire is to ascertain costs.

c) LGA "Good Practice in Allotments Management" Research Project: Final draft has been sent to the LGA Steering Group. Launch Conference is currently scheduled for June, but may be later if the General Election is delayed.

d) Information from the Council for Voluntary Services on funding available from the Charities Aid Foundation, Community Trees Fund and Local Heritage Initiative has been received.

e) Dr Wiltshire to respond to PPG17: Consultation draft.

f) Manchester Conference: Dr Wiltshire to attend the International Sustainable Development Research Conference 4-6th April at Manchester University and give a presentation on the work of the QED Allotments Group.

g) Dr Wiltshire to attend the launch event in Nottingham on 9th April for the book resulting from last September's "Community Gardens: People Land and Sustainability" Conference attended by several members of the Group.

h) East London Food Futures: Presentation given by Dr Wiltshire on the LGA "Good Practice Guide" to members of ELFF at Sustain's HQ in London on 2nd March.

i) Since the last meeting advice on allotments in Local Agenda 21 and related issues has been given to the newspaper "Independent on Sunday", plotholders in Cardiff, Crayford, Ealing, Hereford, Reading and Southwark and to students of the Open University and Nottingham Trent University.

5. QED Allotments Newsletter: Information for inclusion from the sites is required as a matter of urgency, a feature on the winners of the Allotments Competition was discussed Mr Rowden to liaise.

6. Joint activities with the QED Pollution and Waste Management Group: No report available.

7. Joint activities withthe QED Health Group: No report available.

8. Joint Activities with the QED Biodiversity Group: Mr Still reported that the joint project funded through QED at Tredegar Allotments is awaiting action by DBC.

9. Dartford Festival 2001: A discussion of topics which could be included this year was sought from the committee with the idea of involving all QED Groups.

10. Visits and Conferences:

a) The following were agreed as suitable visits:

HDRA Yalding and Blackthorne Trust - 1st or 2nd week in June.

Cambridge Allotments and Cambridge Botanic Gardens - early September, Mr Dave Fox from Cambridge Allotments Network is willing to help co-ordinate the visit (fox@allotments.net and 0961-374-654) - Mr Stone to co-ordinate.

These trips will be open to all.

b) Finance is still available for attendance at the HDRA "Seed Search" Conference at Ryton on 27th April contact Mr Stone for details.

11. Any Other Business:

a) It was stated that skips were available under the "Tidy Britain" scheme for groups wishing to clear areas in and around sites.

b) It was stated the Ms Julie Gay from KAGC is proposing to write to local radio with a request for improved coverage of allotment matters and related topics.

c) Mr M Still proposed that a social event should be organised for all QED participants.

12. Date of Next Meeting: June 11, 2001 from 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.

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