Present: Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr T Humphries (Dartford Road), Dr R Wiltshire (Research Officer), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).

1. Apologies for Absence: Mr R Stone, Mr M Still.

2. Minutes of the 41st Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the 41st Meeting:

3.7) QED Steering Group has agreed to fund a replacement for the Borough Shield.

5) Future of QED Allotments: The committee discussed the secretary of Gore Road's negative response regarding further active involvement in QED Allotments, and the lack of response from the Dartford Road site to the letter. With no likely active participation from the two largest sites and dwindling support from other sites the committee feels that it can no longer consider itself representative of allotment sites across the borough. Therefore the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee has decided to place itself in indefinite abeyance and hence QED Allotments will cease to function from 1st January 2005.

9) Research Officer was unable to attend the Greater London Assembly Green Group Reception at City Hall on 4th October, due to work commitments.

4. Research Officer's Report:

a. Attended ARI Steering Group Meeting on September 6 (at EFF HQ) and London and SE England ARI Regional Seminar (September 14).

b. To attend ARI Steering Group Meeting on November 3 (at EFF HQ) and ARI Mentor Training Event (November 26-27) at Ryton.

c. Visited allotment sites in Kawasaki, Shimizu, Hamamatsu and Kasama September 29-October 6 in cooperation with the Japan Kleingärten Association.

d. Since the last meeting of the DASC, advice on allotment issues given to plotholders in Brixton and Cardiff and to Stone Town Council.

5. Joint activities with other QED Groups:

a) QED Pollution and Waste Management Group - no report.

b) QED Health Group - no report.

c) QED Biodiversity Group - no report.

6. QED Newsletter: Dr Wiltshire stated that it will be out by the end of November, including our annual report, ARI update, and competition details. Any other items for inclusion to Dr Wiltshire ASAP.

7. Dartford Festival Allotments Competition 2004 and 2005: Mr Humphries reported that the winners were:

1. The Borough Shield - Mrs P Robinson & Mrs J Brennen (Dartford Road) - for the second time.

2. Fred Brown Cup - Mr B French (Gore Road).

3. Villages Cup - Mr G Defeo (Gore Road).

The date for the presentation ceremony has been provisionally fixed for 10th December. Mr Humphries has agreed to co-ordinate arrangements for the 2005 competition and details will be in our last QED Newsletter.

8. Visits and Conferences: No report.

9. Any Other Business: Mr Rowden thanked the officers of the committee for their work over the past eight years.

10. Date of Next Meeting: Not applicable.

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