CREWE TOWN ALLOTMENT FEDERATION

Notes of meeting

Thursday19May 2016, 7.00pm

Crosville Club, Chester Street, Crewe

Name / Site / Role
George Cornes / Ruskin Rd / Federation Chair
Matt Bolton / Alton St / Federation Treasurer (Minute Taker)
Andy Hopwood / Claughton Ave / Federation Vice Chair
Roger Bravey / Stockport / Visiting Exec Member
Ian Gardinder / Stockport / Visiting Exec Member
Stuart Harper / Brookhouse / Treasurer
Llana Humphries / Manor Way / Treasurer
Chris Breeze / Henry St / Site Warden
Marlene Harper / Brookhouse / Site Warden
Nigel Dickinson / Claughton Av / Chair
Graham Chadwick / Ruskin Rd / Chair
Liz Laverick / Hungerford Rd / Chair
Paul Brownbill / Electricity St / Chair
Apologies:
Councillor Suzanne Brookfield, Donna Williamson, Anne Jarvis, Phil Salt, Trevor Tutt.
Item / Action
1 / Welcome, Apologies and Introductions
George welcomed everyone to the meeting andapologies were received.
We today have two visitors from Stockport Allotments (Roger and Ian). The Federationhave invited a Team from Stockport to visit our Sites at a later date. / George
2 / Previous Minutes
Copies of the previous minutes from February were reviewed and approved as true and correct.
3 / Federation Management Team Update
- George advised that leases are on-track to be completed in approx. 3 weeks.
- Llana advised on success of Manor Ways Lottery bid to refurbish unused plots (Full bid approved). She advised that it is well worth trying for a bid, but be prepared to act quickly and monitor costs in-line with bid. Work is to start soon.
- Marlene provided updates on the progress of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust partnership. This will now be in 2017, with specifics to be confirmed later. One plot will be assigned for this project.
- George distributed Allotment Competition Posters and entry forms to all, to be displayed onsite. There has been an amendment since the meeting, and the closing date for entries is now a week later on Friday 8th July. The judging will take place on Sunday the 17th July.
- Future Funding - £5k per year for all sites, next meeting to look at how it will be spent. Must be on highest priorities. Board to agree on work to be selected. / ALL SITES
ALL SITES
4 / Crewe Town Council Update
- The Horticultural Show (Queens Park) funding has been requested by the Fed, and we are now awaiting updates.
- There are no current updates on the 3 unaffiliated sites, this is currently with CTC to resolve. / FED
5 / Site Specific
Round The Table / Plot Vacancies
-Brookhouse shop transferring ownership to Marlene+Brookhouse to enable greater opening hour coverage.
H’ford Rd
3full vacant plots
Ruskin Rd
1 full vacant plot
Alton St
1 half vacant plot
Manor Way
7 full vacant plots (27 unusable in progress with lottery bid)
Henry St.
Impressed with Bathgate compost.
1 full vacant plot
Claughton Ave
Site tidy in progress with members.
2 tonnes of glass onsite. (priority job?)
2 full vacant plots
Brookhouse
Impressed with Bathgate compost.
Looking into B&Q funding for site improvements. (Speak to Paul at Crewe branch if interested in progressing for your site)
3full / 2 half vacant plots
Electricity St
No Vacancies
6 / Any Other Business
- StockportAllotments are currently engaging the same changes we have already embraced. They have attended today’s meeting, and we have shared some useful information. Thanks to Roger and Ian for driving over today to see us, Members for letting them come today and last but not least our George for organising it all!
- It has been suggested that Trevor Tutt may like to do a presentation to sites on the current successful Lottery Bid.
- PCSO Pete Dean (Phone 101 or email Andy Hare) can be contacted for any anti-social behaviour issues.
- Marlene advised that signs should be displayed if Anti-vandal paint is used.
- Llana advised that 4 groups of school children have attended the site to promote allotments, so good publicity.
- Brookhouse currently have an arable community plot whereby all produce grown has been donated, and this is being shown on Facebook to show the growing in progress.
- It was mentioned that the current FED Facebook page needs updating. Andy Hopwood to enter current dates for events and accept any comments or updates from sites by email ()
- It has been advised that covers for 2 wells are still required for Hungerford Rd and Claughton Avenue. To be put forward for priority job list.
- Marlene asked about Insurance and what sites are currently paying.
- We have, since this meeting,received an e-Mail from Stockport Allotments. They enjoyed the meeting, and were happy to report back that they gathered some very useful information during their visit. Thank-you to all. / Trevor
Andy + ALL
FED
THANK-YOU
7 / Future Meetings
-TBC / FED