Minutes of the Twenty-Ninth Meeting of the Committee
Sunday June 7, 1998, from 10.30 am, at 10 King Edward Avenue, Dartford.
Present: Mrs Anderson, Mr Griggs, Mr Johnson, Mr Jones, Mr Laidlaw, Mrs Morey, Mr Smith and Dr Wiltshire.
1. Appointment of a Chairperson: Mr Johnson was appointed to the chair for this Meeting.
2. Apologies: Mr Bourne, Mr Chattenton, Mr Palmer and Mr Philip.
3. Minutes of the Twenth-Eighth Meeting of the Committee: Accepted.
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes: The Committee accepted Mr Johnson's suggestion that a stock of replacement components be maintained for the water supply system.
5. Matters Arising from the Seventh Annual General Meeting: Mr Smith noted that this had been the last opportunity for the Secretary to address the Association, and thanked the Secretary for his contribution.
6. Secretary's Report, March-May 1998: Pallet deliveries have continued through the QED Waste Management Groups. Access to the site has been closely monitored. Christ Church Hall has been provisionally booked for the 8th AGM on May 26, 1999, but Mr Rainey has suggested the Scouts Hall as an alternative.
7. Tenancies: Mr Laidlaw reported that the site is currently 100% rented, with 116 tenants and no waiting list. The Committee reviewed tenancies which are at risk through non-cultivation, and agreed appropriate courses of action.
8. Finance: Mr Jones reported that the Association has a current account balance of £1,881.74.
9. Grounds, Paths and Equipment: Mr Laidlaw reported that there are no problems at present with the mowers, and no clear case for the purchase of a strimmer. The Committee considered whether the acquisition of a generator to enable the use of an electric strimmer would have advantages, and Mr Smith agreed to report on this topic at the next meeting.
10. Quality Environment for Dartford: The Secretary reported that a number of projects in which QED Allotments is involved are doing well, including the website (which has attracted LGMB attention), the QED Health Group (which is about to attract grant support for horticultural therapy on allotments), and trips to Uplands Allotments, Kent House Leisure Gardens and the NFCF Community Gardens Conference. The Committee agreed to participate in a scheme to donate surplus fruits and vegetables to Arrow Riding Centre. There has been much favourable publicity for allotments over the past three months, and there will be an allotments display at the Dartford Festival again this year. A serious problem has come to light, however, regarding physical security of people and property at Darenth Country Park. After a lengthy discussion of the issues involved, the Committee formally endorsed continuing participation by the Association in the activities of the DASC, with the exception of the Darenth Country Park QED Project, in which future participation is to be suspended until adequate security measures are in place for the Country Park as a whole, with the following exceptions: technical advice on water supply, horticulture and insurance issues will still be made available, and reclamation work using recycled carpets will continue. The Association will also seek to minimise any negative impacts of this suspension of activity on its partners in the Darenth Country Park QED Project.
11. Membership of the National Federation of City Farms: The Committee authorised the Secretary to seek an appropriate category of membership for the Association.
12. Dartford Festival Allotment Competition: The Committee delegated Mr Griggs and Mr Laidlaw to select this year's participants.
13. Open Day for the University of the Third Age: The Committee agreed to combine this event with an open day for QED members, commencing 3.00 pm on Saturday June 20, with a barbecue to follow. The Secretary and Mr Laidlaw will seek volunteer guides and arrange for explanatory material to be made available.
14. Birmingham Arts and Allotments Project: Members of the Association have agreed to supply poetry to this project, which takes place on Saturday August 1 at Uplands Allotments, Handsworth. Mr Laidlaw will explore the possibility of running a coach trip from Dartford Road.
15. Any Other Business: The Committee endorsed the Secretary's response regarding continuation of the WDAGS best kept allotment competition, and agreed to commend The Kitchen Garden magazine to all plotholders.
16. Date of Next Meeting: Sunday September 7, 1998, from 10.30 am, at 195 Shepherds Lane, Dartford.
Meeting Closed: 12.13
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