Minutes of the Knutsford Allotment Society Annual General Meeting 2025
Held on Thursday 4th of September 2025 at 19:00 at the Angel Hotel, Knutsford
Committee Present: Steve Dutton (Chairman), Joanne Wooler (Acting Secretary), Graham Thornley (Treasurer), Kevin Griffiths (Web Master), Stewart Blunstone (Site Rep Warren Avenue)
Apologies: Angela Froggatt-Smith (Secretary)
- Minutes of the last AGM: corrections were sorted by the committee and found acceptable. Agreed.
- Guest Speaker – Councillor April Johnson, Knutsford Nature Action Plan. The Knutsford Nature Action Working Group aims to enhance the town for the benefit of nature and all who live here, with three missions: plant more trees; plant more flowers to support insects (60% decline over 20 years); and improve green corridors. The annual community big bulb plant is back this year – go to the Knutsford Town Council website to organise your own or join one already organised. Annual themes and projects over the next three years:
- Year 1 – Bees (pollinators): the Knutsford Bee Trail launched this year and won a national Bees’ Needs Award
- Year 2 – Frogs (water creatures): promoting the creation of ponds
- Year 3 – Birds
- Year 4 – Hedgehogs (mammals)
More information is available on the Knutsford Town Council website.
April would love us, as allotment holders, to get involved. We can do this by:
- Avoiding chemical pesticides
- Leaving untidy wild areas for nature
- Reducing mowing to allow grass and wildflowers to grow
- Planting pollinator-friendly flowers
- Providing ponds for animals to drink and live in
- Leaving gaps in walls and fences for animal movement
- Installing nest boxes
- Buying organically produced food
- Joining the group to provide practical help and ideas, or sending any ideas to April
- Chairman’s report: increased plot letting on all sites. Graham would like to resign as Treasurer, but Steve feels confident for the future as there is a strong team of committee members and site reps.
- Treasurer’s report: the financial records from 1/8/24 to 31/7/25 were presented to the meeting and approved.
- Secretary’s report: Angie has received NAS members’ seed catalogues, which were distributed. Any new allotment holders who don’t have access to the website (i.e. haven’t received login details) should let their site rep know, and access will be arranged.
- Election of Officers:
- Chairman – Steve Dutton to continue; proposed by April Johnson, seconded by Joanne Wooler
- Secretary – Angela Froggatt-Smith to continue; proposed by April Johnson, seconded by Joanne Wooler
- Treasurer – if any members are interested in this role, please get in touch with Steve. In the interim, Graham will be acting Treasurer.
- Prize giving:
- Sparrow Lane: 1st Michael Pye, 2nd Kirsty Melia, 3rd Peter Jones, 4th Jim Hart
- Warren Avenue: 1st Angie, Jo and Clare, 2nd Pauline Callaghan, 3rd Michael Sutcliffe
- Mereheath: 1st David West, 2nd Jackie Edwards, 3rd Wayne & Liz
Overall winner of the new shield: Michael Pye
Best newcomers: Sparrow Lane – Kirsty Melia; Warren Avenue – Pauline Callaghan; Mereheath Lane – Danny McCarthy
The above were congratulated for their work and presented with certificates and monetary prizes
General discussion:
A question was raised about the potential loss of allotments to new developments as per national policy. The question was directed to the councillors present at the meeting, who intend to maintain the longevity of allotments in Knutsford. If any concerns come up, the councillors will contact Steve Dutton to discuss. Steve informed the meeting that there are intentions to increase allotments at the Redrow (Warren Avenue) and Bluebell (Mereheath Lane) sites.
Christine Mason, a long-term allotment holder at Sparrow Lane, RIP – her funeral is next week. Michael Pye proposed a donation of £50 to Cheshire East Hospice, seconded by Margaret Thornley. Approved.
The meeting closed at 20:20.
