In The Sh*t

Saturday we were well and truly in the sh*t, but you could say that we were as happy as pigs in the sh*t! Audrey Johnstone arranged a load of horse manure to be delivered. Derek who delivered it was most helpful and waited whilst people loaded their barrows from the trailer. When it became difficult to get to the manure he unloaded it into the bin and then brought his tractor round and filled the front loader bucket for people to load from the bucket. This load of manure was delivered free of charge on the understanding that users would chip money in to go towards the Poppy Appeal. So don't forget, if you had some manure please make your donation to the Poppy appeal via Audrey. Future deliveries of manure will not be free of charge and will cost £50 a trailer load. As the manure had all gone by Monday afternoon we need to put together some finance to get another load and to make a charge for it that will recoup the cost and make some money towards further loads. My suggestion would be a pound a barrow. I am willing to put £10 in to the fund for the next load in anticipation that I will use ten barrow loads from the next delivery. Is anybody else willing to do similar?

A Spot Of Paint On The Outside

Work is progressing on the Portakabin. A coat of paint has been applied to the body of the outside. I found the tin of Masonry paint thet Robin had used to paint it dark green about ten years ago and the contents of the tin were usable with about a third of the tin. I also had some masonry paint in white that I had bought probably ten years ago and also still in usable condition. Just to make sure I added a quantity of PVA adhesive to the mix resulting in a rather tasteful lighter green which went on very well. It was all done in between showery days when we had some sunshine this week. We now need some black gloss paint to cover over the peeled areas on the metalwork. I'll have to see what I can scrounge up for that job. Once that is done it will just leave the floor. A bid has been put in to YACIO for funding to do that and we hope to hear sometime soon on that.

Association Minutes 22/09/2018

As promised at the association meeting here are the minutes of the September meeting. I'll try and post the November minutes as soon as I have them

Glen Allotment Association

Minutes of the meeting held at Glen Allotments on 22nd September 2018 at 10am

Members Present:    Claire Kennard, Chairperson

            John Harper, Vice- person

            Norha Godfrey, Treasurer

            Tara Mason, Secretary

            Efro Tooms,

            Colin , YACIO member

                Dorothy Godfrey

                Dave Mason

                John Harper

                Dave Matthews

                Margaret Matthews

                Suzie Braithwaite

                Mariela Munoz del Valle

                Claudia Peca

Apologies:         Celina and Les Gee

                       Joanna Mikler-Humble

                Andy Holt

                Stephen Mansfield

                Catherine Macodle

                Audrey Johnstone

               

Minutes of previous meeting Approved

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting, including YACIO member Colin.

Treasurer’s report

Norah updated us with the bank details and how much we have in the account. Tara still has to change her name at the bank for the account due to recently becoming married. She will do this one she has her marriage certificate back from the DVLA. Claire to have a paper copy of bank statements each month from Nora.  

Membership updates

During the summer Tara dropped off the membership card at Deans Garden Centre so that members can receive 10% off purchases. Norah has kindly said that she will go to Vertigrow to give them one of our membership cards to obtain a discount too. We have recently had more members signing up to the association which is good news. Norah is to give them their membership cards. New membership forms are needed for Claire Kennard, Audrey Johnson, Joanna Miller. Payments have been received from Andy Holt, Gail Holt, Steve Mansfield, Joanna Miller and Audrey Johnson.

How new members obtain their membership cards

New members contact Norah whos details are on the notice board at the allotment

They meet up with Norah and are given a membership form

New members pay £5 to Norah and are given a receipt and membership card.

The completed form is given to Tara

Tara adds details to the database on google docs

Tara passes information to Norah, who then stores the information securely along with bank details.

Portacabin for meetings

Colin inspected the portacabin and suggested that it could be repaired. It needs a new floor and part of the roof. Colin said that YACIO could be approached to see if they could fund the repairs. It was suggested that Nev, who is a fellow tenant could be asked to see if he could make an initial cost of the repairs. Colin to let Claire know if there was a possibility of using the shed by the entrance as a temporary base for meetings. Current one next to the toilet is too dangerous to meet up in. Claire suggested the use of the grey/brown shed as a possible shop for members to buy compost/seeds from. This needs more research and possibly funding too.

Compost toilet update

Efro has kindly offered to bring a light to add to the toilet. Dave offered to find out about obtaining sawdust.

Bays in parking update

John was thanked for doing a temporary repair.

Notice board

Tara has offered to search for one on gumtree but currently is unable to find one. There was a suggestion that we make ones ourselves. To make it laminated? Members to research this. Dave to ask about Howarth company what wood would be best.

Rat control

To be mindful of rubbish collecting on the plots as this makes for homes for rodents. To use rat poison or traps if necessary. It was noted that Colin may be able to borrow some rat traps for our usage.

Marking of tools

This is to be carried over to the next meeting as a date for marking of the tools was not agreed.

Skip

Skip to arrive on the 5th October  and will be here until the 8th october.  Some members said they would help.

YACIO

Colin stated that we would be getting a lock for the front gate to the allotment entrance. Colin has said that he will include cutting back the hedge by entrance as part of the overall tidying up by YACIO. Colin stated that he would look at the arrangements already in place for community plots.

AOB

Manure- It was agreed that we would like a supplier.

Database information on google docs to be available to hair, vice chair, treasurer and secretary. All agreed in earlier meeting just before the main one. All members have signed the disclaimer stating that their information can be saved for the purpose of the association.

Minutes on the gardening blog, to send out to members the link for website - John

Water tap notice to be made - Ann

Colin - Invited all members to the Green Lane Allotments Christmas social event on the 8th December. He was thanked for the invite and will let us know more details soon!

Use of subplots/groups

Report on school children's plots
Any future changes to the communal areas should be discussed with association.

NEXT MEETING
Saturday 3rd November at 10am - Glen Allotments