EAST WARD ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION
Minutes of Meeting
at
Present: Stewart Young, Jane Littlehales, Andy Henson, Pat Mansfield, Claire Stentiford, Neil
Katherine Frisby, Mick McNaboe, John Grundy, Joanna Sephton, Maureen Allsworth
See section
Minutes of
Jane had received an email from Fusion Arts about the art project. They asked for some info on the site and if the allotment association would be interested in them erecting a lighted sign to advertise art projects and the association. The questions on the site, history etc. will be circulated by email with some draft suggestions, for all to comment on. The committee were against the idea of a lighted sign as access to electricity would be too difficult, and cost the association money, and due to the worries of encouraging vandalism.
ACTION: JANE to circulate message
ACTION: ALL to answer questions where possible
ACTION: JANE to reply re sign
Neil had done some investigating of costs, etc. for putting leaflets in the Oxford Star and Mail. Mail shots can be targeted closely and the cheapest option cost around £15.65 plus VAT per thousand delivered. With these numbers, the leaflet would need to be copied professionally. A leaflet design would be finalised in January with the aim to do the mailshot in the spring.
ACTION: Jane to design A5 leaflet
Great prizes were won by EWAA members. Jane has some photos which will be put on the EWAA web site. Congratulations to Stewart for winning the Boots Cup. All members to be encouraged to enter next year.
ACTION: Jane
Approx 25 people had been identified as not having paid rent
despite being sent reminder letters. Some may have moved but may still be
interested. Claire has re-done the list. This will be checked off against the
receipts to identify late payers and bring it up to date. Further recruitment drives
will be done in the spring, e.g. leaflets in newspapers, see 4.2
ACTION: Jane
Potatoes, onions, shallots, onions and
beans to be ordered. Order will be the same varieties as last year
(including varieties unavailable last year) but in slightly smaller quantities.
ACTION: Claire
Thefts have definitely happened. It appears that allotment
members are involved but cannot at the moment be proved. A letter will be
drafted and sent to the possible offenders reminding them of the rule not to
trespass on others plots. Draft letter to be circulated by email prior to
sending.
ACTION: Jane
Obvious progress on both entrance and play area. Shed and
benches need to be moved on play area [Done
ACTION: Jane
Work party hadn’t cleared the path to the council’s satisfaction. Pat is meeting with the council on behalf of the urban wildlife group and will attend on behalf of EWAA at the same time. A quote has been requested from the council for the cost of pollarding willows for us.
ACTION: Pat
Suggested date: end January. Further ideas to be discussed at next meeting. Possible contents:
· Advertise potatoes, onions, etc. in stock
· Security issues
· Chairman’s report
· Winter recipes
· Recruitment
ACTION: Claire
Rotivator needs servicing. Strimmer is a recent purchase and is OK.
ACTION: Stewart
A letter has been received from John Gray in reply to the EWAA letter to him about fixing his shed. The shed will shortly be cleared.
The padlock and chain from the inner pedestrian gate have been removed. A request will be sent to Roland asking if another can be made.
Not all keys fit the padlock on the outer pedestrian gate (e.g. Jane’s don’t). The padlock needs to be returned to the locksmith.
More allotment keys are needed.
ACTOiN: Jane to ask Roland
Thursday 16th January
NB Date change. Previous minutes
listed 15 January but this is a Wednesday.