Present: Pat Still (Advocacy, Chair), Graeme Laidlaw (Dartford Road Allotments), John Gunn (UNA), Alan Cremer (Dartford Borough Council), Richard Wiltshire (QED Website Manager).

1) Apologies for Absence: Said Gousy, Thelma Mills and David Crowe.

2) Notes from the Last Meeting: The meeting was held on the 18th, not the 11th of November. Otherwise approved.

3) Matters Arising: The World Mental Health Day meeting was very successful. There will be some written notes. There will be a short article (on QED) in the horticultural therapy magazine Growth Point and in the Journal of Holistic Medicine. Tina Deadman spoke for the D&G Advocacy Network and this was well received.

4) Residents' Welcome Pack: Thelma Mills' Asian womens' group are keen to help. Mike Pratt will take a lead part and Russell Bowie will attend a meeting on April 7. The Focus Group needs a leader to make it happen. The Steering Group agreed that there is otherwise no point in putting effort into this excellent idea. The pack must be properly produced. There could be sponsorship.

5) Dartford Festival: In July. Overall theme will be ... (world harmony?)? QED will have a separate display. Other DBC departments may get more involved. Need to draw in age groups. Richard Wiltshire will talk with a Red Cross trainer. Suggestions: blood pressure, cholesterol, etc., scales. "Do you dare?" Graeme Laidlaw - food preparation (with Food Group?). Food hygiene course info - Env. Services. Invite Dr Stoate. Plan by 1/6 if possible. Tentative extra meeting on 23/6 if needed (festival planning only).

6) International Year of Older Persons: Pat Still tabled papers for information.

7) Government Planning Guidance on Recreation and Sport: Richard Wiltshire tabled a letter on PPG17 from DETR's Alan Meale to Dr Howard Stoate MP. Alan Cremer has papers on this.

8) Tree Planting, Swanscombe: Planting Day is March 30. Media Event. Possibility of a community orchard in Swanscombe.

9) Other Business: Plan for the Food Forum tabled by Richard Wiltshire. Publicity after the QED Allotments Newsletter is produced.

10) Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday June 1 from 7 pm at the Civic Centre.

END: Return to the QED Health Group page ...