Bridport Community Orchard Group
Minutes of Committee Meeting
held on Monday 7 May 2013
at The George, Bridport
ActionPresent
Jill Lloyd (Chair), Councillor Maggie Ray, Louise Finnis, Gill Massey, Paul Arthur, Sheila Hawkins, Jenn Baker, Susan Readman, Andy Jefferies, Malcolm Drew
1. / Apologies
Nick Gray, David Hawkins
2. / Minutes of Last Meetings
Minutes of meeting held on 2 April 2013approved.
3. / Matters Arising
Insurance – Jill had been in correspondence with Colin Sparkes of BTC, who had advised that a policy cover is available at £20pa via membership of the Allotment Association. Following discussion it was agreed that the shed is reasonably secure and to maintain the status quo. Tools and other property to be marked with indelible ink, and apple press equipment can be secured by an extra padlock and chain.
BEG Grant – Notification received of an award of £250 towards bee friendly plant plugs and workshops (with DWT) to create wildlife habitats. Monitoring report on activities to be maintained as a grant condition, to be submitted one year from the date of the award. It was agreed that BCOG should formally thank Charles Wild for awarding the grant in full.
Biog paragraphs – Only 3 received to date. Agreed roles for committee members are as follows:
JillChair, outreach, networking, press and publicity
AndyHedges, leader of volunteers on working days and at events
JennCo-ordinator of Community Allotment, tree maintenance group
NickGrass management and biodiversity
MalcolmManager of construction projects
LouiseChild Protection advisor, bee keeping, scything, events
GillWildlife monitoring and management of wildlife area
PaulProject Management, strategy and policy
MaggieBridport Town Council representative
DavidTreasurer, tree maintenance group
SheilaSecretary, co-ordinator of tree maintenance group, photography
SusanCommunity Allotment, outreach and events, publicity
also
TriciaNewsletter editor, publicity, photography
SusannahWebsite editor
Regarding Jubilee Green, Paul suggested the possibility of forming a sub group, and recommended the matter be debated further at a forthcoming meeting.
Policy Review – Schedule drawn up by Sheila and Louise to be circulated with Minutes.
Plans
a.BCOG Action Plan 2013 - Adopted. Comments from discussion and date to be added and document re-circulated.
b.Tree Work Plan – Adopted. Date to be added.
c.Aspirations spreadsheet – Andy introduced final version, which all have been consulted upon as:
i) empowers anyone who may be approached or become aware of a funding opportunity to know exactly what they could accept for what reason, without the need to refer to the committee – eg the ‘could have’ category items will be proactively moved forward where possible;
ii) help anyone to know when they can refer a new idea to the committee, which depending on the idea, may be accepted by the committee.
The rational set out by Paul accompanying the document is important to note. The document was approved, and will be reviewed annually at the February meeting. It was recognised that any new ideas that the committee agrees should be adopted, could only be carried out at the expense of an existing item in the list.
The committee thanked Paul, Andy and Sheila for all their hard work. / JL
SH
SH
SH
4. / Events since last meeting
Working Day – Compost bins emptied and contents tidied. Field maple tree planted. Holly whips planted to infill hedge at churchyard end of orchard.
Mayor’s Civic Evening – A good networking event with BCOG represented by Louise and Jim.
5. / Finance
Treasurer’s report had been previously circulated and updated income and expenditure is as follows:
There are two transactions for income on BCOG funds:
- £33.98 from Carol Bennett for the tree planted in the orchard, in memory of her mother. This item is a contra to the same amount which is recorded in the expenditure of a tree + pole as in our Groves account
- £6 cash, which Jill has collected from BAC for 3 calendars - this is the final amount for the calendar's project which results in an overall profit of £41.50. Received today and recorded as cash held rather than cash in the bank account
•£15.99 Gas cylinder
•£9.00 Regulator screw
and items in our Groves account but not yet paid
•£21.81 6 stakes and tree ties, bought by the Tree Group for replacement
•£33.81 The tree and pole referred to above
Expenditure for the Community Allotment fund are all on the Groves account but not yet paid:
•£10.39 Compost
•£7.20 Fertiliser
•£12.60 Wolf hoe head
•£13.65 Seeds
•£23.99 Long handled shears
Note that all the items recorded as in the Groves account are not included in the balances of the various funds. Amounts relating to the bank account are:
•BCOG - £758.21
•Community Allotment - £175.52
•Colmers WI - £17.65
•Lions (Jubilee Green) - £76.73
TOTAL in Bank Account - £1,028.11 / DH/JL
6. / Community Allotment
Jenn reported that hoe and edging shears have now been purchased. Gravel for paths still to be delivered by BTC. Potatoes planted. Herb seeds sown and cuttings potted up for plant sale at Blossom Day. Blackcurrant cuttings have taken. A watering rota for the plants in polytunnel has been established. More seed sowing will take place in the outside beds and turning the compost bins is on ‘to do’ list. There are plans to plant in front of neighbouring allotmentbesde shed – foxgloves or an evergreen shrub. Noted that tall plants should be avoided, to prevent leaves blocking shed gutters etc.
The herb bank created by Susan is now almost complete.,thoughAany additional cuttings or herb plant donations would be welcomed. Plans also include sowing annuals such as nasturtiums.
Hazel sticks behind shed can now be used as firewood.
Agreed that any cash made from main event plant sales to go into general Orchard funds and can then be re-distributed if required. Sales from small weekly plant sales can go into Community Allotment petty cash and final accounting to be presented to David H for inclusion of end of year accounts. / JB/DH
7. / Jubilee Green
Geoff Ackerman, Gill and Maggie planted replacement oak sapling. Sheila fitted post and tree-tie. Sheila reported that the fruit trees all doing well and producing blossom buds, apart from Pomeroy of Somerset (which is a late developer). Sheila has also started clearing round base of fruit trees.
Possibility of getting Park Road neighbours to help maintain the site raised again and Paul agreed to make contact. / PA
8. / Correspondence
a.James French of the Stable Bar has offered to keep a collecting tin on the bar for BCOG donations. Committee agreed that this should go ahead and Jill to provide an appropriate collection tin. BCOG will feedback via the Newsletter how the donations are being used. Jill also invited the Stable Bar to run a cider stall at Apple Day in October, which James French has agreed to do.
b.Michael Gee of Orchards South West is giving a talk at Bath & West Show on 31 May. Sheila to attend that day along with Jill, Brian and Susan R.
c.Card of thanks received from Carol Bennett re. field maple planted in memory of her mother.
d.Request from Bridport Allotment Society for an article about BCOG’s Community Allotment for their Newsletter. Jenn to provide. / JL
JB
10. / Future Events
a.Working Day / Blossom Day – 12May
Jill has arranged to borrow 2 gazebos from Magna Housing, which will shelter bookstall, run by Jill, and cake stall/refreshments, which will be managed by Gill. Gill also to buy milk.
Pond dipping being run by Andy and Lawrence, with help also from Susan.
Jenn/Susan to run plant stall and show visitors round allotments. Cake donations welcomed.
Jim Binning has offered to host a honey-tasting session. Louise to scythe the bee enclosure.
David to provide collection buckets.
Banner and bunting to be put up.
All to meet up at 09.45am to set up.
Tricia will be taking photos for Newsletter and to refresh the display boards.
Other work tasks include:
- Continuing work to clear around base of trees.
- Malcolm fitting overflow from bottom shed water butt into pond.
c.29 May – 1 June– Bath & West Show
Andy to set up BCOG stall on 29 May and new display currently being prepared by Tricia. Jill, Brian, Susan and Sheila attending on 31 May. Paul and Gill will attend on Saturday 1 June and take down stall and display.
d.9 June – Green Scythe Fair, Langport – Louise handed out posters.
e. 14-15 June – Bridport Food Fair – volunteers for BCOG stall to be discussed at next meeting
f.7 September – Bridport Mayor’s Civic Reception – Maggie hosting a reception for a party of visiting Mayors, which will include a visit to the Orchard.
f.19 October – Apple Day
g.19 January 2014 - Wassailing / JL/GM
AJ
JB/SR
Jim B/LF
ALL
Tree group
MD/PA
ALL
12. /
AOB
1.Newsletter being produced in time for Bath & West. Articles (max 250 words) to be with Tricia by 17 May:Tricia – Blossom Day report
Andy – Pond Dipping
Jenn – Community Allotment
Jim – Bees
Sheila – Tree management and unusual varieties in BCO
Gill – BEG Grant
2.Paul has invoice for new Oak at Jubilee Green and will pass on to David.
3.Andy informed meeting that Bridport Primary School are interested in visiting BCO and pond dipping – Jezebel Jefferies is keen to show the orchard to her class, and possibly other classes may visit also, Date to be arranged, and Andy will attend any visit.
4.Sheila circulated copies of the revised Management Plan. Maggie suggested that a copy should be given to Bridport Library, and also took a copy to hand on to Bridport Town Council. She also suggested that the Museum might be interested in holding a copy – Jill to investigate. Additional copies are available should anyone require them. / JL
13. /
Date of Next Meetings – 7 pm at The George
Monday 3 JuneMonday 1 July
Monday 5 August
Monday 2 September
Monday 7 October
Monday 4 November
Monday 2 December
Working Days in the Orchard (Sunday after Farmers Market, from 10.00am)
Sunday, 9 June
Sunday, 14 July
Sunday, 11 August
Sunday, 15 September
Sunday, 13 October
Sunday, 10 November
Sunday, 15 December
Sheila Hawkins, Secretary
Jill Lloyd, Chair , Bridport Community Orchard Group Committee
Minutes of meeting 7 May 2013 (Sheila Hawkins)Bridport Community Orchard Group