Committee Meeting

Item

Discussion

1.       Apologies

S Russell, T Collins

2.       Minutes of previous meeting and matters arising

Minutes accepted

Matters arising

JG spoke to Alan Brawn and it was decided to summer prune the trees in the orchard.

MG

JG

3.       Financial Report

Printed report of January figures and partial figures to date distributed.  All payments are up to date.

Shop takings increased enormously with the recent sale of potatoes and compost. & raffle takings picking up.  

SR

4.       Any other financial matters

It was agreed to carry on and complete more electrical work in the DC to ensure better safety by adding an RCBO.  This is still to be completed. Thanks to Sandy for all the work she does for CAGA as well as treasurer. Thanks also to P Shirley for all his support with the meat raffle over the years.

SR

5.       Shop Report

Shop takings have dramatically increased recently due to the arrival of seed potatoes. Seed potatoes are now all SOLD OUT.

Seeds have been re-stocked. Peat free compost now in stock.

MG suggested a talk about fertilisers available and their use. 

Out of date seeds – will be shared between community groups and some grown to raise funds for CAGA at Open Days 1^st & 2^nd June.

PG

JG

6.       Shop Rota

25/2 MG , 3/3 MI , 10/3 MI , 17/3 JG , 24/3 RL

7.       Plot Lettings

1 person on the waiting list and 7 available plots. 

Available plots are currently too wet to do work on. TC will rotavate   plots when possible.

Discussion about how many plots CPC should provide according to the population of the village. This figure to be investigated. Current plots are generally 9 or 4 ½ poles which is appx 100 sq yards.

We will continue to promote available plots in the village using Chinnor Pump, Facebook, CPC newsletter etc. 

RL

8.       Midweek working      parties

Newsletter to be sent out a week before the next ‘mid-week working party’ planned for 20^th March. Currently too wet to work on plots.

MI

9.       Diary of Events

Several people have offered to do talks, growing vegetables for showing, no dig gardening and another about how to stay fit whilst gardening. Also ‘know your fertiliser’, RL offered to lead this subject.  Dates to be set. 

MI suggested that we could hold a ‘Best Plots’ competition this year and explained how this is carried out. Date to be decided sometime in June/July. Prizes were previously given at the annual BBQ. The judge was remunerated with vouchers for the shop. 

27^th July was suggested for the BBQ.

CAGA has applied to have space at the annual Flower Show to promote the allotments.

CAGA Open Weekend 1^st & 2^nd June suggested opening hours were   Sat. 2 – 5pm & Sun 10 am 4pm. Volunteers would be needed over the weekend to help sell plants and chat with visitors.

JG

MI

JG

10.   Chinnor Pump &

Facebook page

Next issue of the Chinnor Pump, the raffle and available plots to be mentioned.  

RL

11.   Website report, incl newsletter

113 names on the mailing list, lots of people opened the recent newsletter. Another newsletter to be sent out on the 13^th March about the ‘mid-week working party on the 20^th March.

MI

12.   Grants

a)       S106 Work has begun early at the contractor’s request. At the initial onsite meeting with the contractors it was decided to place the French drains within the grass areas.

b)      SODC grants – Interest from the cctv contractor seems to have vanished no further quote has been obtained.

Banner manufacturer is no longer interested since been asked for a cheaper option.

SR has received information about obtaining a brown sign and is investigating if it’s something we should get.

JG has found a plot holder willing to help with the artwork for an A5 flyer promoting the Allotments & shop. Jackie to keep all informed.

MI

MG

SR

JG

13.   AOB

A vote of thanks for Bill Ayes for sharpening the mower blades.

MG to attend a funeral of a late plot holder.

TC has sent a copy of a letter to Thames Valley Air Ambulance saying that he is sending a donation of £235 on behalf of Peter Bowler.

Some servicing jobs need doing on equipment which PG will organise.

MI, MG and RL met with contractors to discuss the work on the bottom car park.

MI has received emails from SODC about grants available to towns, parish councils and not for profit community groups and organisations will be able to bid for up to £250,000. MI to follow up for more information. MI to share information.

Meeting ended at 8.30 pm

MG

PG

MI

14.   Date of next meeting

20^th March in DC @ 7pm.