Minutes of AGM September 2023

Knutsford Allotment Society AGM – Minutes

Held at the Angel Hotel on the 21/9/23 @ 7.30pm in the Function Room.

Committee members present-

Steve Dutton – Chairman

Graham Thornley- Treasurer.

Raye Brooke, Julija Taberner, Denis Prest

 

Committee members apologies-

Angela Smith

Joe Godden

Plot holders apologies-

Jim Hart, Joe Nixon, John Bentley, Norman Cash, Frank Wright.

 

Numbers attending the meeting – 38 including the committee.

 

Agenda

Chairman’s Report

Steve asked the room to give a vote of thanks to the following people-

John Ross our retiring Chairman who had served on the committee for a number of years and was until recently involved in hosting our committee meetings at the Club on Sparrow Lane.

Beverley Roberts who until recently was the site manager at Mereheath.

Julija who has stepped up to take on the role following Beverley giving it up.

Angela Smith who has taken on the responsibilities of the Secretary.

Graham Thornley for dragging the society in to 21^st century and setting up

online banking facilities with Lloyds Bank allowing members to make their subs payments cheque free.!!!!!.

 

Finally tribute to Raye Brooke who this evening announced she was giving up her role with the Society.

Raye has been involved in one way or another for the last 20 years and in recent years has organised the annual plot judging and prize giving.

We wish her well and hope that she keeps in touch.

 

Minutes of the 2022 AGM.

These minutes were approved as a true record of the meeting last year.

 

Treasurers Report

Graham reported and gave a review of the 22/23 season.

Graham handed out a copy of the Financial Report showing that the finances were in rude health and the Society had reserves of just over £9,000.

Of the £9000 approximately £900 is payable to ANSA when an invoice is received.

A copy of the financial report to be placed on the Society website.

Graham also gave an update on the progress of moving the Society’s bank account from Nat West to Lloyds Bank.

The new account now has the facility to operate Bank Transfers, BACS payments and includes Immediate Notice of Payment.

Secretary Report

There was nothing to report.

 

Election of Officers

There were no requests received to take over any of official positions and therefore all of the eight existing members were re-elected.

Proposed by Mike Wilding and seconded by Margaret Thornley.

 

The Chairman then reiterated his thanks to Raye Brooke and all the work she had done for the Society.

 

Prize Giving

Judging for this year was held on the 13/7 and judging was carried out by

Peter Lofthouse.

Results as follows-

Sparrow

1^st prize- Jane Noble

2^nd – Michael Pye

3^rd  – Andy Gorton

4^th – Frank Wright

Best newcomer – James Douthwaite.

 

Warren

1^st prize – Claire Brabbins, Jo Wooller, Angela Smith.

2^nd – H Hampshire

3^rd – J Godden

Best newcomer – D Hodgkinson

 

Mereheath

1^st prize- D & G Jackson

2^nd – D West

3^rd – L Ready

Best newcomer – Susan Dover

 

The overall winner of the Shield for 22/23 was Jane Noble from Sparrow Lane.

 

Horticultural Matters

The issue of an overgrown bramble patch on Warren Avenue was raised by Claire Brabbins and Jo Wooller.

It was suggested this could be cleared and used as a potential plot.

Could the council be asked to clear the site so that it can be used.

It was suggested that Joe Godden should be involved in raising the issue.

Members also raised the issue of open fires on site and the use of peat.

It was decided that peat was no longer available to buy and therefore members were not in a position to use any.

The use of fires was put to the vote and it was decided not to try and ban their use but limit their use to the winter months.

 

A query was also raised whether or not the Society had any deals with suppliers to offer discounts to members.

The chairman agreed to look into whether this could be possible.

 

AOB

A question was raised from the floor as to the possibility of allowing army veterans to access allotments to improve their mental health.

This led onto a general discussion about the positive impact of gardening on mental health generally.

It was agreed that the council needed to be more involved with the Society in perhaps providing land which could be used for that purpose.

The society will continue to work with interested parties.

 

The question of NAS membership was also raised and the Chairman confirmed that the process of joining as a group was in progress.

 

Chairman – Steve Dutton then thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.