Minutes of Allotment Meeting at Staines Rugby Club
16th June 2010

Chairman: Mr Keith Hitchman
Acting Chairman of Meeting: Mr Keith Hitchman
Members Secretary: Mr Ian Dalton
Minutes Secretary: Miss Mel Carter           
Treasurer: Mrs Pat Johnston

Present: Keith, Lorraine, Mike, Helen, Terry, Ian, Colin, Dawn, Pat, Ben, Glynn, Dawn, Arthur, Keith, Paul, Mick Glenn & Mel
Apologies: Tim

1. Selection of Committee. All Committee members stood down, Chairman - Keith – Proposed by Mike, seconded by Mel Carried unanimously Minutes Secretary – Mel – Helen Proposed, Lorraine seconded carried unanimously Membership Secretary – Ian – Colin Proposed, Mike seconded carried unanimously Marketing & communications officer – Colin – Helen proposed Lorraine Seconded carried unanimously Equipment co-ordinators / Container key holders – Ian, Tim, Terry & Mike- Mel Proposed, Helen seconded carried unanimously Treasurer – Pat – Keith proposed, Ian seconded carried unanimously Mike will take charge of the top container which has eight spaces & Terry the container by the gate that has three. Equipment hire will be arranged between all four. Key holders to watch tidiness and advise people of rules as appropriate.
2. Minutes of previous meeting circulated and read.
3. 50 Gallon containers – These arrived at 5 o’clock in the morning and had all gone by the afternoon. Keith has requested that anyone who took one donates £2.00. A second lot are on the way. A notice will be posted requesting monies.
4. Clean up day – Sunday 20th at 4 o’clock was agreed followed by a Bar-B-Q organised by Keith. Mel advised that Tim would provide a petrol hedge trimmer if he was unable to attend to cut back brambles etc in drive way.
5. Padlocks. There was a discussion regarding what type of padlock we should have as the council have agreed we can have our own lock on the second gate.
   Option One.
   Keep Council lock on both gates 6 Votes,
   Option Two
   One council lock one combination lock 0 votes,
   Option three
   A reasonable padlock on one gate 9 Votes
   Option four
   A higher security Lock 2 Votes. Keith will look into lock options and prices and issue new keys at the prize giving in September. Locks to also be changed on containers, Glenn has offered to pay for a replacement lock for top container as he has been the victim of thefts. Keith to get lock and keys cut.
6. Prize day closing date for entries 12th August
7. Price for small tiller and details circulated. Keith proposed we go ahead and purchase, Terry seconded carried unanimously Petrol mower details to be presented at next meeting. Mel advised that Seeds of Italy charge £30.00 or a talk. Evening to be opened up to other local allotments. Mel to contact and get some dates.
8. NSALG membership to be renewed.
9. Pond plans postponed until next meeting
10. Hounslow Community Farm Association – Faggs Road. The association holds many workshops and we would be welcome. The best source of information is their Web site www.hcfa.org.uk.
11. Hedge Trimmer – Keith asked if anyone would be willing to sell hedge trimmer on Ebay as it is not appropriate for allotment use. Terry offered to have a look to see if we can keep it before a final decision is made.
12. Bonfire & Prize giving events. It was suggested we could be better prepared for events. Dawn has offered to arrange food for prize giving in September. Suggested pre paid tickets at £5.00 and a Mexican theme. Tickets would include food and a drink with no charge for children.
13. Keith has sent a copy of the accounts to HMRC as requested
14. Compost – Keith is still investigating bulk buys and will report back September
15. Fire. The rubbish on the car park caught fire at 07:30 one morning. Adrian Hall called the fire brigade who extinguished the fire; investigation showed the fire wasn’t started maliciously. Keith was contacted by Adrian Hall and advised them to contact the council which they did & the council quickly removed remaining rubbish. Adrian Hall also pointed out that they have Gas tanks by the fence and they would appreciate more care being taken.
16. Water Connectors – it was agreed that all users should be more considerate and not remove connectors from Taps when using the water. If a butt is low when you’ve finished please leave the tap on to refill for others if possible. Thames Water / Hounslow Council will be changing the water facilities in the very near future.
17. Discussions again about plots not being worked and becoming a nuisance. It was decided that if the Plot next to you isn’t being worked then you should report it to the council.

Next meeting date: Tuesday 20th July 2010, 7:30pm Staines Rugby Club

Minutes from previous meetings are listed below and may be downloaded.