Minutes of the 8th Meeting of the Dartford Allotments Steering Committee
at Princes Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday February 2, 1998 from 8.00 pm
Present: Mr R Howard (Gore Rd), Mr B Ringrose (Wilmot Rd), Mr G Laidlaw (Dartford Rd), Mr J Rowden (Bean), Mr R Stone (Swanscombe), Mr P Smith (Chair QED Waste Management Group), Dr R Wiltshire (QED Steering Group), Mr R Johnson (Secretary).
1. Apologies for Absence
Mrs S Morey (editor QED Allotments Newsletter), Mr A Hewitt (W Dartford A & G.S.).
2. Minutes of Seventh Meeting
Accepted.
3. Matters Arising from Minutes of the Seventh Meeting
a) Future Venues for DASC Meetings: The committee approved the Princes Sport and Leisure Centre as future venue for DASC meetings.
b) Ideas for Non-QED Group Participation in 1998 Dartford Festival: It appears that DBC have hired a contractor "The Green Roadshow" to provide the main display package at the 1998 show. Part of this package is titled "Sustainable Living Exhibition" which appears to contain most of the elements contained within the QED marquee last year. Dr Wiltshire is attempting to ascertain whether duplication of exhibits is likely if we present a display similar to last year.
c) Darenth Country Park: A draft copy of Dr Wiltshire's document entitled "The Darenth Country Park Project" was circulated to the committee and it was decided that a special meeting will be held to discuss the help QED Allotments can provide in the setting up of allotment gardens on this site.
A visit is being planned to see the Apiary and vines at Kent House Leisure Gardens during March.
Two members from QED (Mr P Smith and Dr R Wiltshire) have been invited to attend the next meeting of the Country Park Advisory Group Meeting on 3rd February 1998.
d) Branches Out Horticultural Project: Dr Wiltshire has maintained contact with this organisation and a visit will be arranged at a future date.
e) Other Matters Arising:
Research Officer: Julia Marshall from Dartford Road Allotments has volunteered to undertake this work and it was agreed to invite her to fill the post.
Bio-Diversity Group: The launch meeting is to be held at the Civic Centre on 11th February 1998 at 7.30pm, the chairman will be Mr I Hammerton of The Woodland Trust.
4. Report on Waste Management Group Meeting
QED Waste Group have approved the issue of two advice leaflets: The first is aimed at local businesses concerning waste disposal and the second on disposal of garden chemicals.
DBC have agreed to purchase carousel display stands for the library and Civic Centre to hold QED leaflets and related documentation.
5. Report on Steering Group Meeting
Dr Wiltshire has volunteered to set up a "QED Website" on the Internet for QED. This will represent the first website on Allotment/Agenda 21 issues in this country, it is to be funded by QED. Dr Wiltshire has received two enquiries from Japan regarding Allotment agenda 21 activities and the Steering Group has requested him to attend a conference on "Community Gardening".
6. Launch of QED Health Group
Three members of DASC attended the launch meeting held on 28th January, It was disappointing to note that few health professionals attended although they were notified in advance by the QED Secretary.
7. QED AGM - 25th March 1998
A Volunteer is required to attend as Dr Wiltshire will be unavailable to represent QED Allotments at this meeting.
8. Joint Action With QED Waste Management Group
Joint action continues.
9. Allotment Security
Mr Howard reported that damage has been caused to Gore Road entrance gates by lorries used by contractors working on the road improvement scheme, he also reported that allotment users at Gore Road will be making use of the Kent Police marking kits that are available on loan.
10. Landscaping
Mr Howard reported that landscaping around the Gore Road site has been undertaken as part of the road improvement scheme, assistance given by Mr J Prance DBC was acknowledged.
11. Any other Business
a) QED Publicity: The opinion was expressed that publicity of QED events by local media was disappointing, the QED Health Group launch being a case in point.
b) QED Allotments Chairman: The chairman expressed the opinion that his future commitment in the Darenth Park project may mean he will have to relinquish this job.
c) Festival Allotment Competition: Arrangements for the competition will be organised as in previous years.
d) QED Allotments Newsletter: Dr Wiltshire will discuss with the editor (Mrs S Morey) contents will include the Darenth Park Project and the Allotments Competition.
e) Parliamentary Enquiry into Allotment Gardening: In late February an enquiry will be held, this has been sponsored by "Amateur Gardening" magazine, Dr Wiltshire has provided data to this enquiry on allotment gardening in relation to Agenda 21.
It is sad to note that the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners nearly failed to provide any supportive data due to preoccupation with its internal administration.
f) National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners: Dr Wiltshire has circulated letters to the management committee with reference to the special general meeting to be held in June regarding the vote of no-confidence in two of the principal officers of the Society.
12. Special Meeting for Discussion of the Darenth Country Park Project
This meeting has been arranged for Monday 23rd February 8.00 pm at the Princes Sports and Leisure Centre.
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