Present: K Fry, N Simmonds, R Breach, T Gover, J Lovegrove, G Stainer, I Newton, L Powell, L Smith, D Williamson, J Powell, A Magrath, J Kippenberger
Apologies: None
Minutes of last meeting: It was discovered after the meeting that the financial figures presented were incorrect and should have read: Charity -£3387; Trading -£2266; Deposit -£2077
Matters Arising: Building Insurance – done.
Community Open Day – It was generally considered that the morning was worthwhile but in the afternoon attendance dwindled. G Stainer would convey our feeling to the Parish Council that next time a shorter event would be more appropriate.
Harvest display at St Peters Church – L Smith and J Price were thanked for their hard work which resulted in an excellent display.
Allotment trees – have been felled.
Correspondence: None
Finance Report: Latest bank balances available: Charity - £365; Trading - £2104; Deposit - £277. HM Revenue and Customs have raised questions about our gift aid claim thus delaying payment
Calendar 2009: Treasurer proposed changing the date of board meetings to the third Monday of the month from January and this was agreed. Other dates were finalised.
Annual General Meeting: Reports should be with the Chairman by 20 October. Board members to encourage ordinary members to attend.
Charity Annual Returns and Accounts: Chairman presented the draft of this and amendments were proposed and accepted. The final version will be produced shortly.
Allotment Report: Tenancy conditions were fully discussed and a new version will be presented to the November Board Meeting. They will then be re-printed and every allotment holder will be asked to sign one in the new year.
General state of allotments – I Newton will get an estimate for regularly cutting driveways and trimming hedges. The farmer delivering manure is finding that the driveways are getting narrow in places. It was decided that a proper solution would probably mean realigning most of the plots, a major task. Meanwhile it is inevitable that there will be some damage to a few plots whilst this activity takes place.
Trading Report: Products for Autumn planting have sold well during the month as have the Spring bulbs. The end of year stock take reveals that there is circa £600 in value in the shop and virtually nothing is perishable.
Social Programme: The barbecue held at the Shed the day before was enjoyed by those who came but the 34 who turned up represented a very poor reward for Gill who had put in her usual effort to produce a splendid lunch.
Tickets for the Social evening are going slowly, with only 60 sold to date. Members were encouraged to make a substantial effort in the next 2 weeks to drive the numbers above 100. If this is not achieved by 19 October the event will be cancelled.
Meetings Programme: The September meeting was well attended and the speaker was excellent.
AOB: Parish Council Website – use forthcoming events section to publicise Gardening Club events.
Seed catalogue – now available for distributors.
Hants Federation Quiz – team were third and will appear again in the finals at Sparsholt.
Members involvement – to encourage more ordinary members to help with organising events a list of opportunities will be presented to the AGM.
Next Meeting: Monday November 3 2008 at 7 30pm in The Meeting Room at Albany Road.