MEETING – NOVEMBER 2017

 

Present:

Collins, D. Smith, M. Barnes, S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, L. Dartnell, E. Stevens, Nicholson, J. Guerrero, L. Roast, S. Maloney, A. Klecha, M. Hughes, K. Walsh, Robertson, A. Osborn, D. Osborn.

Apologies:

A. Collins, E. Henry, P. Jay, M. Jay.

 

Matters Arising:

No invoices received as yet from Thurrock Council for standpipe, or from Mosaic for trees.

 

Rosedale Road Report:

Chipping and manure on site. Thanks to Clive R for his help with the bonfire and to the 11 people who attended – a good time was had by all, a lot of work went into this and it would have been good to see more at the event.

Thanks to George and Norman for helping to clear up the debris afterwards.

Clive R thanked Alan for use of his van and his time.  Scrap raised £39 Balance is now £60.

Thanks go to all members who helped at the last work party.

THE DRIVE WILL BE REPAIRED ON MONDAY 13^TH NOVEMBER – N.B. NO CARS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE SITE ON THIS DAY.  The ballast etc needed will be paid from the scrap money fund. £20 for manure also came from this fund.

 

Bull Meadow Report:

Manure and chippings on site.  Clive and Sheila C will look for a good second hand mower for the site. Look into storage for this and other equipment.

 

Treasurer’s Report

Expenses:  £50 peppercorn rent, £483 Rosedale Water, £228 Bull Meadow Water, £60 chairs

Income:     £50 Smiths Stall, £17 raffle (thanks to Sheila and Clive)

Balance:    £5,414,28.

 

A.O.B.

Engraved trophies were presented to Sue Maloney (Best below) and Elaine Stevens (Best above) well done.

It was agreed that in addition to a prize for Most Impoved plot, there will be a 1^st and 2^nd place for Best Kept Plot – to be judged July/August. Martin from Smith’s will be asked if he will judge this.

New discount cars for Smith’s Nursery will be issued in January. Orders from the Kings Seed Catalogues must be into Jayne by 15^th November. 187 Rectory Road.

There is as ATA meeting at the Belmont Hall on 14^th November 7.30 – all welcome.

Sheila and Clive Attended the County Body meeting – only 10 sites were represented. Apparently less than a quarter of sites in Essex are self managed.

The next meeting on Friday 8^th December WILL BE A CHRISTMAS QUIZ. Teams of 4, bring 1

horticultural question each and some food. Friends and family welcome.

NEXT MEETING : QUIZ NIGHT FRIDAY 8^TH DECEMBER 8 P.M. TYRELLS HALL

 

AGM – 2016

 

Present:

Umfreville, A. Wright, G. Nicholson, A. Klecha, S. Klecha, C. Collins, S. Cheeseman, Cheeseman, C. Robertson, K. Fisher, G. Ashurst, L. Dartnell, M. Watts, E. Stevens, Kennedy, M. Barnes, L. Roast, S. Maloney, S. Carter, L. Oke.

Apologies:

Jay, M. Jay, A. Collins, C. Gibson, D. Gibson.

 

Matters Arising:

The saga of the trees in the cemetery/East side on Rosedale still ongoing. We will keep pushing for a solution. Falling branches reported.

 

Rosedale Road Report:

Pears have been stolen from site, anti-vandal paint applied to gate by Clive. Be aware.. Chippings and manure needed.

Handrail repaired by Clive – well done. Make sure there is not a plastic polytunnel nearby if you have a bonfire.

 

Bull Meadow Report:

No problems.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Balance:  £5,062.40

£178.00 paid to NSALG for membership, £50 to Council for peppercorn rent.

Water bill for Bull Meadow £162.25, Rosedale water bill estimate £484.

Elaine is trying to get on-line banking for next year allowing subs to be paid on line.

 

Water usage on site:

Water usage on Rosedale is much improved on last year – thanks to members for

co-operation. IBC tanks have been ordered – this will help save water on plots.

 

Chairman’s Report:

CHAIRMANS REPORT 2016

It’s our 13^th Association AGM as a self managed site. Welcome and thank you for attending tonight.

Even though we started off with a cold wet spring, summer finally arrived in July and stayed with us until September, a true old fashioned summer.

Was the cold wet spring a bonus or a drawback for our garlic competition? We shall find out later.

Since the last AGM we have held a Bonfire BBQ, Christmas Quiz, Summer BBQ and an NSALG open day at the Rosedale Rd site.

Also Chris Collins our Secretary once again organized another successful day trip to the Canterbury Food & Drink Festival, where once again we were blessed with superb weather, and I know a good time was had by all who went.

I would like to thank everyone who has attended these events, and I am sure you would like to show your appreciation for Chris for organizing the Canterbury trip.

Martin Smith from Smith’s G/C also held his produce stalls again. We had 2 stalls and rose over £208 and our profile in the local community.

Thank you to Bev Rollings and Tony Briggs who helped me man the stalls and also everyone who donated produce.

There will be another joint allotments stall at Christmas to raise money for charity. Produce especially Jam’s, pickles, Relishes or chutneys will be gratefully received.

Last year’s most improved plot was Stephen Tagg’s plot from Bull Meadow Site; this year’s winner will be announced later.

Although there has been much communication between us, the council and Mosaic Care Homes, the issue of the conifers and overhanging cemetery trees is still to be resolved.

Rest assured we shall keep chipping away until we get some action.

Unfortunately this year, Keith Bacon passed away. It was heart-warming to see so many members at his funeral, and I know his presence has been missed at Rosedale Rd Site.

Martin Smith from the G/C planted a Magnolia stellata on the newly formed plateau at the Boscombe Rd end of the site in memory of him, which I know many of you attended.

Next I liked to thank both site managers Alan Collins (assisted by Clive Robertson and Tony Briggs at Rosedale Rd)  & Les Dartnell at Bull Meadow for all their hard work throughout the year, Membership secretary  Sheila Cheeseman, seed secretary & Auditor Jayne Priest, committee members Clive Cheeseman & Lorraine Roast, also Mark Kennedy for running our website, rrbm.co.uk.

The keen eyed among you will have noticed our new Treasurer Elaine Stevens who kindly stepped up to the plate after Clive Robertson stepped down after 10 years service.

And it’s at this point I would like to present Clive, a token (Engraved Brandy Glass) of our appreciation on behalf of all the committee and members, for his time and work as Treasurer since 2006.

Keep growing and good luck to everyone with their garlic. New trophies await the winners’ mantelpiece or shed shelf.

Andrew Klecha (Chairman)

 

Election of Committee:

Chair: Andrew Klecha,

Secretary: Chris Collins,

Treasurer: Elaine Stevens,

Committee Members: S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, L. Roast, C. Robertson.

Site Manager Bull Meadow: L. Dartnell,

Rosedale Road: Alan Collins assisted by Robertson.

 

Cost per Rod/Membership.

It was agreed by all present that there was no need for a price increase.

Concession is paid by members at State Pension Age.

 

Most Improved Plot:

Nick Smith – well done, certificate and voucher for 1 bag of 6X.

Heaviest 3 finest garlic competition:

Heaviest: Les Dartnell  51g.

3 finest:   Andrew Klecha.

(Only 2 entries)

 

NEXT YEARS AGM: FRIDAY 13^TH OCTOBER 2017 – TYRELLS HALL 8 P.M.

Present:

C. Collins, G. Nicholson, L. Dartnell, S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, D. Smith, Barnes,E. Stevens, A. Klecha, K. Walsh, A. Gudge.

Apologies:

A. Colllins, P. Jay, M. Jay, L. Roast.

 

Matters Arising:

None

 

Rosedale Road Report:

The purchase of 6 tarpaulins £17 each from B & Q was agreed so that unworked/unused plots can be covered. £102 given to Chris. No invoice as yet from Mosaic regarding tree felling. Several plots not worked, letter/emails to be sent. Hopefully replies will be received.

 

Bull Meadow Report:

Sewerage leak on site, also a water leak, water has been turned off until the problem is fixed. Luke Love from Thurrock Council informed. A large tree fell from the old Council Nursery site onto the car park. Car park has been cleared, tree left on site. Thanks to John and Clive for their help.

Two hosepipes have been stolen. Please make sure hoses are not left trailing along paths as this is a trip hazard and could cause a nasty accident.

Gate is still being left open PLEASE SHUT GATE AT ALL TIMES. Andrew is going to put a combination lock on the pedestrian gate – plot-holders will be notified of combination numbers. Manure on site.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Raffle raised £9.  Balance £4272.81 (income £30 Grow organic)            (expenditure £2.03 water)

 

A.O.B.

Site open day has been changed to Saturday 5^th August (more convenient for some members) Donations of produce/preserves/cakes and help on the day appreciated

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Smiths selling days: 9^th July 10 – 1 p.m. donations of produce etc and help needed 15^th October 10-1p.m. donations of produce etc and help needed.

BBQ  SATURDAY 8^TH JULY 5 P.M. – ?? BRING SOME FOOD TO COOK, AND SOME DRINK –    ALL WELCOME.

AGM HAS BEEN CHANGED TO FRIDAY 6^TH OCTOBER (subs to be paid at the latest at this meeting)

 Veggie Comp at AGM :  3 best(same) above ground  and 3 best(same) below ground.

There will be an outing to Canterbury Food & Drink Festival (agreed by members present) on Saturday 23^rd September IF ENOUGH PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED. Cost to be confirmed – usually about £12-14. Please contact Chris by email/phone to add your name

Gro Organic still available £6 per bag see Alan or Clive.

Next meeting Friday 8^th September 8 p.m. Tyrells Hall.

Present:

Collins, A. Collins, P. Bond, L. Dartnell, G. Nicholson, M. Barnes, D. Smith, L. Smith, Smith, J. Record, S. Record, P. Jay, M. Jay, A. Klecha, K. Welsh, K. Fisher, G. Ashurst, Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman.

Apologies:

E. Stevens, L. Roast.

 

Matters Arising:

Scrap money is now £50. Alan will purchase tyre for wheelbarrow from this.

 

Rosedale Road Report:

Several plots are in a bad state – members will be alerted. One that has been given up is in a seriously bad state, and will be sprayed with weed killer and not let out until next season. One plot will be offered rent free for the rest of this season, as this too is quite overgrown.

The chippings at the Boscombe end car park are too thick, and wheels are spinning. No more should be added. Clive has mowed the access road. Thanks Clive!

Reminder to plot holders regarding water use;

ONLY ONE HOSE TO BE USED, WHICH MUST be HAND HELD AT ALL TIMES.( Ideally before 10a.m. and after 6 p.m.) Some sites do not allow hosepipes at all – we do not want to go down this route, but may have to consider this if the use of water on site is abused.

 

Bull Meadow Report:

All plot being worked – well done to everyone. Manure needed.

 

Treasurer’s Report:

Balance at 30.4.17 = £4245.60

Income: £137 (Gro-organic) £14 (Raffle) Expenditure: £393.12 (Gro-organic|) £23.96 (signs)  £100 (IBC enclosure)

The raffle tonight raised £20 (well done Sheila)

 

A.O.B.

There is an Association of Thurrock Alllotments  (ATA)Meeting on Tuesday 16^th May at 7.30 Belmont Hall, Parker Road – all welcome to attend.

BBQ (Date to be confirmed) at Rosdale Site.

Site open day will be on Saturday 19^th August. Produce/preserves/cakes will be appreciated, also help on the day.

Smith’s selling days – dates to be confirmed.

The chairman cannot make the AGM – will check with Tyrells Hall and try to make it a week earlier than usual.

Veg Comp at AGM – 3 best above ground and 3 best below ground.

Treetops school have a plant sale (veg and flowers) Saturdays 10-12noon

Suggestions please for outing this year, Les prefers Canterbury, Pat suggested somewhere different  (This will only go ahead if enough people are interested)

NEXT MEETING FRIDAY 9^TH JUNE TYRELLS HALL 8 P.M.