Minutes of AGM September 2026

Minutes of the Knutsford Allotment Society Annual General Meeting 2026

Held on Thursday 10^th of September 2026 at 19:00 at Knutsford Market Hall

1. Chairman’s welcome: Steve Dutton opened the meeting, welcoming everyone and thanking all for attending. The minutes of the 2025 AGM (a draft of which had been available on the KAS website) were approved and signed off.
2. Guest Speakers – Kevin Griffiths and Joanna Moonan, Trustees of Crosstown Community Orchard. Kevin and Joanna, both KAS plot holders, gave a very interesting talk describing the conception of the Community Orchard on an under-utilised green space in a residential area. With the support of local neighbours and the Town Clerk, Adam Keppel-Green, the Community Orchard was launched as a charity on 30/9/2020, with the first trees planted the following February. The aims of the charity are conservation, protection and education. So far:
   • 31 varieties of tree have been planted
   • a perennial meadow has been established
   • a large number of bulbs have been planted

   Various social events take place at the site, some of which help to raise funds, and a coffee van is regularly parked at the orchard, which also helps to attract visitors. All of this brings a feeling of pride to the space.

3. Chairman’s report:
   • Thanks were extended to Paul, Katie and Peter for organising the prize giving.
   • There will be more allotments in Knutsford as new sites are developed on the Redrow Estate and the proposed Bluebell and Booths Hall Estates, which will eventually come under KAS management. Steve discussed the advantages of having three site reps on each individual site as the workload increases.
   • Graham Thornley is stepping down as Treasurer, a position he has held for 9 years. Steve thanked him for all of his hard work and support.
   • Thanks were also given to Kevin Griffiths, who has recently joined the committee and has worked hard to update and maintain the KAS website.
   • The issue of ponds on allotments was discussed with regard to safety, insurance and signage. No conclusion was reached, but this is an ongoing topic for the committee.
   • There is still an ongoing dispute about the ownership and maintenance of the wall between the Mereheath Lane allotments and the Golf Club. Knutsford Town Council are involved.
   • There have been some reports of theft from allotments, although some equipment has subsequently been recovered. Information on who to contact if there are further problems is available on the KAS website.
4. Treasurer’s report: Graham distributed the Financial Report for 2025. It was noted that a donation had been made in memory of Christine Mason, a former plot holder on Sparrow Lane. A question was put to the Treasurer about moving KAS funds into a higher interest account; this will be taken forward by the new Treasurer at a committee meeting.
5. Secretary’s report: all KAS members are now signed up to NAS and King Seeds.
6. Election of Officers:
   1. Treasurer – Steve Fern was nominated as Treasurer Elect; his position was agreed and approved by all in attendance.
   2. All other committee members to remain in post for the following year, agreed and approved by all in attendance.
7. Prize giving: it was proposed and agreed that judging for best allotment should be done in July next year, and that some changes (to be decided and approved) will be made to the judging categories.
   1. Sparrow Lane: 1st Paul Jackson, 2nd (joint) Sally Bennett and Kirsty Melia, 3rd (joint) Michael Pye and Peter Jones
   2. Warren Avenue: 1st Bev Hill, 2nd Clare Brabbins, 3rd (joint) Pauline Callaghan-Yates and Stewart Blunstone
   3. Mereheath Lane: 1st Jackie Edwards, 2nd David West, 3rd Andrew Tucker

Shield for Best Kept Allotment in Knutsford: Bev Hill

Best newcomers: Sparrow Lane – Richard Anderson and Mathew Bashford (joint); Warren Avenue – Rik Walsh; Mereheath Lane – Stuart Mearns

Any other business / questions from the floor:

• Steve related an anecdote and warning about wild parsnip (bearing yellow flowers), which can cause severe skin blisters.
• One member from Sparrow Lane reported difficulty in accessing NAS and was advised to email their details to the Secretary so that this can be rectified.
• A suggestion was made to create a list of suppliers where allotment holders can get trade access or discounts. Francombes and Chelford Farm Supplies were suggested.
• Graham asked for opinions on King Seeds and whether it was being used. A few members have used it and spoke of the good variety available. It was suggested that we ask the local NAS rep to come to the next AGM to talk further about the advantages of membership.
• A question was raised about NAS insurance and who or what is covered. This needs to be clarified, but it was suggested that cover is only for the named plot holder.

The meeting closed at 20:10.