Annual General Meeting 2009

The AGM was held at St Mary's Church Hall on Monday the 19th January. The official minutes from the meeting will be published in due course, but read out to find out how the night went...

Introduction by the Chair

Theresa Gavin welcomed all attendees and gave a summary of the main issues from 2008. Jackie Ashcroft has resigned as secretary due to health reasons and nominations for a new secretary were requested. Jim Melrose volunteered his wife Sheila, which was seconded by Elaine.

Elaine stood in as temporary secretary and took the minutes.

Finance Report

Carol Jonhstone gave a brief summary of the accounts. The bank balance is currently healthy. The introduction of banking charges resulted in a switch from NatWest to the Yorkshire Bank. New accounts have been opened for the allocation of grants for the fencing project.

Site Representative Report

David Green outlined the number of notices served, available plots and number of people on the waiting list. He also provided feedback from the council meetings held in the last 12 months.

Fencing Project

Detailed information can be found on the Association page. Paul Pells stood up and outlined the contirbutions recieved so far. A cheque was presented by Amy Hannan from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, for £1000, as part of a new scheme with NHS Central Lancashire, encouraging people to grown their own vegetables as part of a drive towards healthier living.

Amy Hannan (left) presents a cheque from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust/NHS Central Lancashire to treasurer, Carol Johnstone (right). While chairperson, Theresa Gavin, and fundraiser Paul Pells look on.

Refreshments & raffle

Refreshments were provided by Theresa, Carol, Elaine and Clare. The raffle was organised by Val, with contributions from many allotment holders. The raffle raised £60 for the association.

Probation Service

Linda Tune from the probation service was welcomed and thanked for her time. Linda explained the role the probation service plays in giving back to community and outlined the work that was about to start at the allotments. The main work is the replacement of the fencing and clearing the brambles from the unused area of the allotments. Everyone supported the scheme and welcomed the opportunity for free labour!

Apples!

Guest speaker Phil Rainford gave a talk on the work him and his colleagues were doing to reintroduce older species of Lancashire apples that had disapeared from the area. Phil has an allotment on our site and has already identified the different varieties of apple trees growing on the allotments.

Close

Time ran out for suggestions and questions from those attending the AGM but the association welcomes all feedback using the forms provided, which can be handed to any committee member or left in the shop.