Paignton Home Garden and Allotment Society (PHGAS) News

Minutes of the Meeting of the Paignton Home Garden & Allotment Society held at the RAOB Club Paignton on Monday 2nd September 2024

2/9/2024

Present: Joe Wallis, Brian Coles, Adrian Beal, Jodi White, Pat Marriot, Gary Buckingham, Jacqueline Green, Christine Guiver, Andy Bibbings, Hadyn Mudford, Lynne Gibson

Apologies: Lorraine Montgomery, Phil Moore, Steve Blair, Alan Smith

1. Minutes of the previous meeting 1st July 2024 noted and agreed.

2. Matters arising from the minutes:

Tree at Oakleigh.
- Torbay Council need map, photographs and concise description of the issue before they will process. Oakleigh site reps are to provide this for the secretary to populate the online Tree contact form on Council website. The documents are now in the possession of the chairman and will be scanned in as the application is probably electronic.
Bank paying-in procedure
- Joe Wallis raised the fact that his rental cheque had not been cashed at the time of the last meeting. Physically paying in at a bank branch is becoming more difficult as they are disappearing. The treasurer says that paying in can be done at Post Offices, which will ease the situation.

3. Correspondence:

Quieter than usual – there are a few more names added to the list.
Ongoing management of plots requiring letters and emails to plot holders.

4. Chairman’s Report:

It never rains – it either pours or it is annoyingly damp, with not enough rainfall to make an appreciable difference. The latter is true of this summer, with not enough warm sunshine to suit some plants such as outdoor grown tomatoes. However we have done extremely well with runner beans, climbing French beans and cabbages. The leeks we have planted appear to be doing well. However this damp weather has brought out the slugs and snails, and they are a problem to contain as the old slug pellets are now illegal and are no longer available. Back along we tried beer traps (yoghurt pots sunk into the ground filled with beer), but the local wildlife drank the beer and left the slugs behind. There might be a drunken fox on the loose at Oakleigh!

5. Vice Chairman’s Report:

Not present

6. Treasurer’s Report:

Opening Balance - £7,389.53
Paid Out
- Bank Charges - £11.20
- Water Penns RD - £251.80
- S Blair mower repair - £45.00
- S Blair petrol - £20.00
- B Coles keys - £31.50
- Brian Coles petrol - £7.80
- TOTAL - £367.30
Paid In
- Oak pellets - £41.00
- Subs - £114.00
- TOTAL - £155.00
Cheque - £125.00
Cash - £295.00
Closing Balance - £7,597.23

7. Site Reports:

Derrell Road
- DR continues to be fully occupied.
- This season the majority of plot holders have enjoyed their allotments and harvested some good crops. We intend to ask the small minority if they have plans to make their plots more productive.
- After 2 visits to Stoke Gabriel and £45 outlay, the big mower is now working well.
Oakleigh
- We have 2 more plots to let, as a result of evictions, and we will be contacting people from the list in this next couple of weeks.
- Site inspections are to be carried out this week.
- We are still trying to resolve a boundary issue between a plotholder and an access lane to a property in Batson Gardens, it appears that some work has been done towards it.
- We have had another issue between a plotholder and a neighbour in Batson Gardens over the height of a boundary fence, and the fence has now been taken down to the 2 metre rule avoiding planning permission. We have heard nothing more so hopefully the dispute has died down.
- Regular site inspections are now in progress, and hopefully many of the problems that we have encountered are going to be a thing of the past.
Lower Penns
- Very quiet, everything is running smoothly.

8. AOB:

Membership joining fee
- We had an issue recently where a new plotholder raised the matter of paying the £50 new member fee, as he was already a family member on another plot. The question is do we waive the fee for family members and co-workers, or do we rename the fee as something else, i.e. new tenancy fee. It was agreed at the meeting that we rename the fee as a new tenancy fee.
Site Security
- We have experienced some more break-ins at Oakleigh, but strangely nothing has been stolen or disturbed. Indeed my own shed was broken into and nothing was taken or disturbed. As it is suspected that children and youths are the culprits, it is suggested that the side gate is locked after 4 p.m.
Plot 3A Oakleigh.
- The plotholders have raised the fact that the boundary tree roots are growing into their plot by a good 12 -15 feet, rendering a good slice of their plot unproductive. They are at present paying £41 for a full plot, although the plot is no bigger than 3B or 3C, which are charged at £21 for half plots. It was agreed that the rental is to be reduced to £21 as a half plot.

9. Date of Next Committee Meeting:

AGM to be held on Monday November 4th 2024. Any items to be raised at the AGM must be forwarded to the Secretary at least 7 days before the meeting

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Minutes of the Meeting of the Paignton Home Garden & Allotment Society held at the RAOB Club, Paignton on Thursday 4 April 2024

4/4/2024

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Present: Lorraine Montgomery, Brian Coles, Adrian Beal, Andy Bibbings, Phil Moore, Joe Wallis, Greg Beal, Gary Buckingham, Alan Smith, Jodie White.

Apologies: Jacqueline Green, Christine Guiver, Steve Blair, Hayden Mugford, Pat Marriott.

1. Minutes of the previous meeting 5th Feb 2024 noted and agreed.

2. Matters arising from the minutes:

Compost deliveries from Coastal. Two further deliveries of compost were received on 16th February one at Derrell Road and one at Lower Penns. Oakleigh plot holders were given priority to take it as they had previously missed out. No further deliveries have been requested at the moment.

3. Correspondence:

Very busy, new tenancy agreements went out over 2 days last day February/ first day of March (5 by post), approx. 150 in total. About 30 people sent in updated details as requested. Co worker details are important for our insurance so please send through if you haven’t already.
There have been 6 new requests to join the waiting list since the last meeting and 10 requests for updates on position on the waiting list, which is now approx. 130.
I will be co-ordinating with treasurer to chase up unpaid subs.
Email - the Totnes Show is on Sunday 28th July, and the website is up and running and the invitation is on there if anyone to enter.

4. Chairman’s Report:

The monsoon season has been extended this year, with 3 times the average rainfall in February, and 2.5 times the average for March. The outlook does not look any better in the foreseeable future – what a depressing picture! The ground is too wet to do any appreciable amount of cultivation, so it looks as if sewing and planting is going to be a little later this year.
That’s the pessimism over for this month, as it has to warm up and dry up sooner or later. On the bright side on our plot we have a good showing of autumn sown broad beans, which started flowering at the end of February. Our autumn planting of onion sets have also got off to a good start, and the rhubarb looks as if it is taking over the plot.

5. Vice Chairman’s Report:

Alan Smith was in attendance but had no comments.

6. Treasurer’s Report:

Opening balance - £4,484.94
Paid out
- Water Lower Penns - £24.01
- Water Oakleigh - £593.77
- Bank Charges - £5.00
- Sawdust and Fence materials - £98.31
- Total - £721.09
Paid in
- Subs bank payments - £2,722
- Subs cheques - £400
- Subs cash - £230
- Total - £3,352
Closing Balance - £6,485.85
A discussion took place regarding reducing the time for payment of subs after 1st April to 2 weeks. This was thought to be reasonable because a month’s notice of the subs being due is given. This will be an agenda item for the next AGM.

7. Site Reports:

Derrell Road
- All plots are let and the recent arrivals have all made great progress despite the weather.
- Greg has planted the fruit trees on the former bonfire site and they look fantastic. He awaits a delivery of cardboard to complete the weed suppression.
- We have not undertaken a full site inspection recently as it has been too wet for most planting.
Oakleigh
- In the next few days we will probably know which plots will be vacant, from the termination of dirty plot letters and also from non renewals of rentals. As soon as we know, then we can get on with getting these plots let and to welcome new members.
- There are some outstanding decisions on dirty plot letters. 10b, 11b, 21 ,22 and 42a. Site reps to carry out an inspection and give instructions. Also to look at progress on other sites to highlight any other plots needing a letter.
- The outcome of the inspection will be followed up week beginning 15th April.
Lower Penns
- We have 3 new tenants in the few weeks on plots 16b, 18a and 11b. New plot holders on 16b have made a fantastic start in a very short space of time.
- Generally, the site has become busy and almost all plots have shown significant progress despite the very wet weather. Plot 14a is of concern, plot holder to be contacted and 14c is to be re-let.
- We had a break in to 4 sheds a few weeks back it was reported to the police, one plot holder had some tools taken. All 4 sheds suffered damage in breaking off locks.
- Site reps have since been very busy securing the boundaries in particular the top boundary to open space where the incursion occurred.
- We are currently making improvements to the on-site toilet so this facility can come back into use.
- Hayden the wildlife rep has asked said he would like to investigate introducing hedgehogs onto the Lower Penns site as a way of naturally suppressing the slug and snail population and to reduce the use of manufactured pellets. Also he would like to increase the number of ponds on site, if possible, in order to encourage frogs, toads and newts to again deal naturally with slugs and snails. He wanted it discussed so he can look into it further if no objections. This was discussed and it was agreed Hayden can investigate further and come back to the committee with his proposals.

8. AOB:

Secretary was asked to contact Torbay Council asking them to inspect the Fir trees on the Lower boundary to Baston Gardens (bottom of plot 3). Brian Coles to send some photos and location map for secretary to use to contact the Council to describe the concerns being reported.

9. Date of next committee meeting:

To be held Monday 3rd June 19:30 At The RAOB Club off Winner Street.

Meeting closed at 8:15pm.

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Minutes of the Meeting of the Paignton Home Garden & Allotment Society held at the RAOB Club, Paignton on Monday 4 April 2022

4/4/2022

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Present: Alan Smith, Flis Cotton, Andrew Bibbings, Jackie Green, Gary Buckingham, Liz Barnes, Christine Guiver, Phil Moore.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies: Stefan Philpott, Jodi White, Pat Marriott.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting in February were not produced as they were handwritten by the Chairman who was not present in April.

3. Matters arising from the minutes: -

N/A see above

4. Correspondence:

Sec has received an email from a resident around the Derrell Road area asking if there is a cockerel on site as it keeps waking them up by crowing in the early mornings. Committee were aware that there used to be one on site, but the owner had been told to remove it. Site rep said she would investigate as to who was keeping chickens, so they could be contacted.
Sec had received an email from site rep of Derrell Road (Steve – not present) with photos of number 4 Derrell Road. This plot is now derelict and in urgent need of a lot of work as none has been done for a long time – far more than just strimming etc.. Sec was aware that the plotholders had paid for the coming year and it was agreed that the position would be monitored and dirty plot letters would be sent every 2 weeks if no progress was made in clearing the plot. Treasurer confirmed that if they agreed to give the plot up now, then a refund for the plot fees could be made to them by cheque. With the waiting list as long as it is, the lack of maintenance could not be allowed to continue.
Pat Marriott (Oakleigh) spoke to sec prior to the meeting as she was unable to attend due to Covid, and wanted the issue of the apple (and plum?) trees on her plot that were lopped without her permission to be discussed. She did not feel the matter was resolved at the last meeting and wanted to know what the Society’s policy would in future be, in respect of taking matters into their own hands and lopping trees without permission from the plotholder.
This was discussed at the meeting and it was thought that Pat had agreed to cut the trees back in the previous 2 years, but nothing had been done, hence the work was done for her. Pat provided valid reasons why the work had not been done and it was agreed that in future, maybe written notice would be given to the plotholder about the remedy the Society were seeking re: cutback of trees, together with a timeframe by which the work was to be done. If not completed within that time, then the Committee would be able to take control and arrange to do the work themselves. Communication with the plotholder being the key.

5. Chairman’s Report:

Not present

6. Vice Chairman’s Report:

Nothing to report as he wasn’t aware he would be chairing the meeting

7. Treasurer’s Report:

Monies in the bank:
- Current account - £5,028.49
- Deposit account - £2,368.75
- Total - £7,397.24
Income:
- Plot fees received (cash and cheques) - £1,290.50
- Plot fees received (direct banking) - £1,417.88
- Shop sales - £80.00
- Total - £2,788.38
Outgoings:
- Gary B (site keys) - £40.00
- SW Water (L Penns site) - £33.28
- Total: £73.28

8. Site Reports:

Derrell Road
- 4 - untended – photos provided – start letter 1 or another growing season would be lost
Oakleigh
- 3b - letter 1, no cultivation
- 11b - no clearance/cultivation
- 13b - no clearance/cultivation
- 15b - no clearance/cultivation
- 33a - no clearance/cultivation but plot holder had indicated his intentions to clear when well again
- 41a - no clearance/cultivation
Lower Penns
- 10a - no cultivation
- 21 - boxes by toilet must be moved or they will rot the wood of the toilet shed.

9. AOB:

The overgrown hedge on the entrance path at Oakleigh was discussed and it was suggested that a working party of volunteers be arranged to cut back. It was decided that in view of the nesting season being underway, it was too late for this and so it would have to wait.
There had been an incident at 6a Oakleigh which left a plotholder feeling very uncomfortable. There was talk that a business may be being operated from the plot and this would not be allowed under the terms of the agreement. Site reps agreed to keep the activity and visitors to the site under review.

10. Date of next committee meeting:

To be held on Monday 6th June 2022 at 7.30pm at the RAOB Club.

Meeting closed at 7:55pm.

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Minutes of the OPEN Meeting of the Paignton Home Garden & Allotment Society held at the RAOB Club, Paignton on Monday 6 December 2021

6/12/2021

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Present: Stefan Philpott, Flis Cotton, Liz Barnes, Joe Wallis, Gary Buckingham, Pat Marriott, Jackie Green, Christine Guiver, Steve Blair.

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies: Phil Moore, Alan Smith, Jodi White, Andrew Bibbings.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting on 1 November 2021 were read and agreed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes:

Plotholder had emailed re: the lock on the gate to 21 and 22 Derrell Road and confirmed that the lock has not been changed. Gary B now has a key, so access to the plots should not be an issue.

4. Correspondence:

Requests to go on waiting list/2 plots given up. Sec will reallocate to people at top of the waiting list.

5. Chairman’s Report:

Had quotes to repair 2 allotment strimmers. One for £168 and one for £360. The cost of repairs was discussed and it was agreed that only one would be repaired at the cost of £168. One strimmer between the 2 sites will be adequate. It will be important to use only SUPER UNLEADED fuel when the strimmer is returned.
Broad beans are still available – please see a site rep or contact us.

6. Vice Chairman’s Report:

None

7. Treasurer’s Report:

Monies in the bank:
- Current account: £3,448.98
  - Deposit account: £2,368.46
Outgoings:
- Cheque: South West Water (Lower Penns - 2 months) - £49.08

8. Site Reports:

Derrell Road
- 4 – Derrell Road – good to see this is being worked at last.
Oakleigh
- 11b
- 21
- 33a
- 37a
- 39a
- 39b
Lower Penns
- 10b
All sites
- We have had reports of produce being stolen – please can we be vigilant for strangers/non-members on the sites.
- Please could plotholders on Lower Penns collect rainwater where possible rather than use the mains supply of water, in an effort to reduce the water bill.
- Chicken pellets and fertiliser has been moved from the secure storage at Oakleigh due to damage by rodents. They are now being securely stored elsewhere.

9. AOB:

Joe Wallis has sent a letter to the RAOB committee requesting use of the room above the pub on alternate months in 2022 and this has been agreed by them. (1st Monday in February, April, June, August, October (AGM) and December).
The fertiliser in the container on Oakleigh is to be sold off to plot holders at £2 per bag to clear it as the bags have split. Please see Gary on Oakleigh, a site rep or contact us if you would like some. Please bring own bag or wheelbarrow to collect!

10. Date of next meeting:

To be held on Monday 7 February 2022 at 7.30 pm at the RAOB Club.

Meeting closed at 7:55pm.

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Minutes of the OPEN Meeting of the Paignton Home Garden & Allotment Society held at the RAOB Club, Paignton on Monday 1 November 2021

1/11/2021

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Present: Stefan Philpott, Flis Cotton, Liz Barnes, Joe Wallis, Gary Buckingham, Andrew Bibbings, Pat Marriott, Jackie Green, Alan Smith, Phil Moore.

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies: Christine Guiver, Melanie Philpott, Jodi White.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting on 6 September 2021 were read and agreed.

3. Matters arising from the minutes:

DR toilet repair has been completed.
2 x allotment strimmers are currently being serviced/repaired. On their return they will need to be run on super-unleaded fuel only. please can all plot holders who borrow the machines be aware of this.
There is a pile of overgrowth/rubbish at the top of the Oakleigh path. Householders overlooking the site on the other side of the wall have reported that they are not very happy about this as, as the pile grows, the weeds overflow in to their gardens. It was mentioned at previous meetings that if cleared back, this may be a suitable place for a compost heap. It was discussed and decided that it would not be appropriate to have either a bonfire or compost heap there because of the impact on the neighbouring houses and also because of the access to the area. The pile will in any event need to be cleared back at some point so as to stop the weeds flowing over the boundary wall.

4. Correspondence:

The Society has received emails from a representative of the Sustainable Food Partnership. She would like PHGAS to collaborate in supplying spare food to the local foodbank. This is already set up in Torquay and apparently working well. The Chairman has met with her and it was discussed at the meeting whether this would be a viable thing to do. Committee Members generally reported that they do not tend to have spare produce and in any event, could not commit to a regular supply of produce as their crops were very much weather dependent. As we all only have half plots, it was not likely that there would be much surplus to give away. Chairman agreed to put posters up on each site and any donations would likely be on an individual basis rather than collectively from the ‘Society’.
Sec has received a request from a plot holder on Derrell Road to have another plot on Lower Penns. There are none available and plot holders are reminded that we are only able to have one plot each, not least because the waiting list is currently so long.

5. Chairman’s Report:

Chairman reported that there are broad beans for sale at £1.50 per 150 approx. Please see a site rep or email sec.
Gary Buckingham on Oakleigh also has groundcover at £1 per running metre (2M wide)

6. Vice Chairman’s Report:

VC reported that a greenhouse had been vandalised on the Oakleigh site near the gate. 4 Panes of glass were broken. Please can we be vigilant for strangers when on the site and keep the gate locked, especially from noon onwards,

7. Treasurer’s Report (not present):

Bank balances:
- Current account: £3,498.01
- Deposit account: £2,368.44
Concern was raised that the outlay on Lower Penns water was not being monitored. Last time the invoices were checked, the payment to South West Water was very high, but we have no info on what period the bill covered. Please could plot holders on Lower Penns collect rainwater where possible rather than use the mains supply of water, in an effort to reduce the water bill.

8. Site Reports:

Derrell Road
- 4 - vacant - not big enough to be split into 2, so a 2/3 size plot
- 15 - vacant - to be split into 2 plots
- 3b - v overgrown. No cultivation at all. Sec to terminate lease in view of previous reminder letters.
Oakleigh
- 6b - ?
- 7b - ?
- 39a?
Lower Penns
- 21a - letter again to remove the discarded doors
- 20a - letter
All sites
- We have had reports of produce being stolen – please can we be vigilant for strangers/non-members on the sites.

9. AOB:

It was suggested at the AGM last month that committee meetings be made bi-monthly and this was discussed and agreed. In future committee meetings will now be held on the first Monday of February, April, June, August, October (AGM) and December.
Sec. can still be contacted by email any time if plot letters need to be sent out after plot inspections.
Joe Wallis asked if there had been any progress with a possible repair to the boundary wall by the Jehovas Witness building off Derrell Road, as they reported that it would be inspected. Torbay Council were apparently aware of the issue and they should be contacted for an update.
It was noted that the lock on the gate to 21 and 22 Derrell Road had been changed and so the Society no longer had access to these two plots. Sec is to request that the plotholders supply the Society with a key so as site inspections can take place and issues like the boundary wall can be dealt with. If they decline to provide a key, then the Society will have to reinstate the Council-supplied locks that should be on the gate In any event.
It was discussed whether anything could be done about the waiting list for plots as it is currently so long.
Extract from the 1925 Allotments Act:
The council of every borough or urban district, any part of whose district is within the area of a town-planning scheme, shall take into consideration from time to time, but at least once in every year, the question whether any and, if so, what lands within the area of the scheme are needed for allotments, whether reserved for the purpose or not, and ought to be acquired under and in accordance with the provisions of the Allotments Acts, 1908 to 1922, as amended by this Act.
It would therefore be prudent for those on the waiting list, if they are not happy with the lengthy wait for a plot, to contact the Council to see what provisions are being made for additional allotment space within the town planning scheme. It was thought that if enough people contact the Council, more open spaces may be made available.
Sec has agreed to amend the reply letter sent to people making an initial enquiry to be put on the waiting list to reflect that they may wish to contact the council about this.

10. Date of next meeting:

To be held on Monday 6 December at 7.30 pm at the RAOB Club.

Meeting closed at 8:15pm.

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