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

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.