EWAA committee meeting Thursday 4th Dec 2003
1. Apologies: Andy, Catherine, Maureen, Jo, Mick and John.
Present: Stewart, Claire, Pat, Chris, Dave
2. AOB – Chris has a potential contact for a mobile welder
3. Minutes of meeting Sept 4th - No changes
4. Matters arising for report - none
5. Keys & Padlocks - Small gate lock still sticking with some keys – anyone experiencing problems please visit the shop for a key swap.
6. Work parties - Brambles to be cut – good time for it if it can be arranged. Work parties to start in feb?
7. Recruitment following rent days - Picked up a good number of new people taking up plots over the past months – opinion is divided as to how many remain unused - between 16 and 30.
A recruitment drive in the new year perhaps?
Claire advocates covering plots with plastic in the meantime – more appealing to prospective allotmenteers.
8. Rotavator Options
new
one costs about £1.2k
Pros – it’s available whenever
it’s needed
Cons – pricey, security an issue.
renting
one £90/weekend from Hewdens (approx) could fit in 6-8 users
Friday to Sunday
Pros – potentially less expensive, not EWAA’s
to lose.
Cons – availability, organising users (booking), poor
weather.
If buying a new machine question asked whether we could apply for a council grant.
Security could be improved by fitting a ground or wall anchor to chain the machinery to in the shed – estimated cost for anchors and chain £120-150.
Potential item for next newsletter – canvas opinion and put to the vote?
9. Willow time! Willow structure for the communal area. Claire keen to have a go, has ideas for the design criterea: open design, lots of arches, nothing that could be habitable or give shelter to “undesirables” as spent hypodermics have been found on site in the past.
Mr Purves (from Stubbs) son in law and someone from Hill End (no name as yet) could be employed to advise.
Before work begins need to get rid of the old shed that’s stored there – suggestion: donate to J Nichols (White house scheme?)
Late Jan to mid Feb is proposed time to build.
Claire will contact the experts.
10. Appeal for officers – any volunteers?
General consensus – a good plan to re-vitalise committee before AGM.
11. Manure
No manure delivered in November Stuart will persue the ellusive Mr Turner
Options: Source from Banbury 10 tons for £140-160. Possible storage problems – Stewart would like to visit to view.
Stewart has a contact who will deliver an amount for £40 – he may order a trial load.
A 3rd option found through the Oxford Times was ruled out as Stewart has mentally blacklisted him though previous expeience of dealing with him.
12. New building in the area
Garages at Boundary Brook being knocked down. Mick is keeping an eye of the situation, has been assured that right of access will be maintained.
Question was asked whether EWAA should have a rep on the council’s area committee.
New RC school. Claire had contacted council and at time the plans had been rejected. Other have heard that the council has since waived the plans through.
Concerns that the building, astroturf pitches, concreted areas will affect the drainage/run off and compound the drainage problems experienced on EWWA site.
13. Shop stock
Potatoes – Ordering same volume. One more Cara, one less Desiree
Special spuds – Pink fir, Rat, Charlotte 10kg each
Same amount of seeds will be ordered as last year. Interest expressed in:
Onions, beans, peas, carrots (several types), Mange tout, Dwarf runners, sweetcorn and others. Claire noted requests.
NB. Stewart Young promises to buy 9 packets of “interesting” squash. We have witnesses Stewart…
Pat – apparently there is nothing like an early pee (sp?)
Rota: will need extra people when spuds and onions arrive.
14. Machinery – servicing not required for time being, although might need to keep an eye on strimmer string stock.
15. Fences by shop.
Stewart enquired after possibility of replacing “nasty fences” – at shop entrance – with something metal, sharp & pointy that can be seen through to improve security.
Claire has asked after price of new hinges (£40 per pair) to improve security
Chris has a plan for a quick fix.
16. Newsletter.
All voted that newsletter is necessary and valued.
Next newsletter to be produced for late January – Andy are you able to compile this?
Items for newsletter:
General round-up from SY
Rotavator – see point 8
Seasonal recipies
Wildlife sightings – Mike?
Appeal for officers – see point 10
Any contributions to be submitted by email – word attachment prefferred
Here’s an interesting website I found - allotmenting in Japan: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3301433.stm
AOB Chris has number of portable welder guy.