Annual General Meeting Minutes 2020
Monday 3rd February 2020, 7.30pm at Desborough Indoor Bowls Club
31 Association Members attended the AGM, Vice Chairman noted it was great to see everybody and thank you for attending
Apologies
Apologies received from Bob Threadgold and Simon Biddlecombe
Minutes of the Meeting Held on the 3rd February 202.
The Chairman noted the minutes are on the website and did anybody this evening wish them to be read out. It was noted that no member wished them to be read. The Minutes were duly proposed by Mrs Helen Crabtree and seconded by Mr Bob Sawfoot without objection as a true record
Matters Arising
The Chair noted that the Committee along with Alison Pike are talking to Havelock School with a view to them having a plot, we await a decision from the school on the proposal.
The Chair noted five poles have been divided into two, one completed, and others will follow.
Rule Amendment Update
Chair noted that bonfires should not be left unattended, due to be paid by set date, deemed people given up plots.
A copy of the amended rules will be placed on the website for reference and on the notice board in the hut
To Elect the Committee and Officers
The Chairman handed over to Mrs Dawn Conaty (Secretary)
The following members were duly elected, each were proposed and seconded without objection.
- Chris Collins – Proposed by Jill Freeman seconded by Belinda
- Neil Chambers - Proposed by Mr Mike Tebitt seconded by Alison
- Dennis Ainge - Proposed by Alison Pike seconded by Helen Crabtree
- Bob Sawfoot - Proposed by Tom Gilbert seconded by Neil Chambers
- Bob Threadgold - Proposed by Neil Chambers Seconded by Bob Sawfoot
- Liz Foster – Proposed by Jonathan seconded by Helen Crabtree
- Jim Barker – Proposed by Glen Houghton seconded by Norman Symonds
- Alina Draycott – Proposed by Helen Crabtree seconded by Dawn Conaty
The following Officers were duly elected; each were proposed and seconded without objection.
- Chairman (2-year term) - Mr Chris Collins, proposed by Mrs Dawn Conaty and Seconded by Mr Neil Chambers
- Vice Chairman (1-year term) - Mr Simon Biddlecombe, proposed by Mr Chris Collins and second by Alison Pike
- Treasurer - Mr Neil Chambers (2-year term), proposed by Mr Chris Collins and Seconded by Mrs Dawn Conaty
- Hut Manager – Mr Simon Biddlecombe, proposed by Mrs Dawn Conaty and seconded by Mr Tom Gilbert
To Receive the Chairman’s Report
The Chairman’s report was read out by Mr Chris Collins.
As many of you will by now have noticed I am not here to chair the meeting due to my ever-increasing work commitment. It is for this reason I have chosen to step down as Chairman, I will however continue to serve on the committee if elected. I have enjoyed my time as Chairman and have always promoted the association throughout Desborough.
A good year was had by all in 2019, with the usual trials and tribulations of trying to grow our vegetables. Unlike the previous year we had rain, and plenty of it. Once again, we saw several new members join the association.
Plot judging took place in June and new this year we had the previous year’s 5 and 10 pole winners judge this year’s awards. After many hours of walking around all the allotments several times (not unusual for Keith and Dennis) they decided on the best 5 and 10 pole plots. Well done everyone on the short list. This year saw new members take first and second in the best 10 pole plot awarded at our annual BBQ so very well done to them.
The BBQ was a great success and was well attended with the usual Burgers, chicken and salads, as always, the puddings stole the show with so many to choose from it was difficult to know what to try first.
This year like last we were able to help Marlowe House by providing them with fresh vegetables. Thank you to all who contributed.
Last year we hosted our first open event. Stephen Ashpole gave us an interesting talk on organic gardening. The evening was well attended with oner 20 people and was a great success. We hope to hold more of these events over the coming months.
Our annual outing in September was to the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show. As always, there was a full coach and a good day was had by all. The event featured a Nursery Pavilion, with 50 fantastic nurseries, a Floral Pavilion, with the country’s biggest exhibition of gardening groups, live expert demonstrations, the famous giant vegetable competition, a Cookery Theatre and of course, lots of shopping opportunities.
The Website has seen more and more activity with over two dozen new plot enquiries. The website has been refreshed for 2020 but we are always interested in new articles and pictures of your allotment produce so please don’t be shy and email them to webmaster@desboroughallotments.co.uk.
Finally, I must make note of the very sad loss of one of our committee members this year. Mr Bob Freeman was a long serving and active member of the committee as well as a good friend to us all. I will miss his insights into old Desborough life as well as his growing tips on tomatoes. It was both a privilege and a pleasure to have gardened alongside him. I know we will all miss seeing him around the plots and in the hut on Friday nights and send our condolences to his wife Jill and their family.
To Receive the Treasurer Report
No need for an increase in 2021 and no real major spend reported for the previous year. Mr Chambers Thanked Richard Coe for auditing the accounts.
Mr Neil Chambers handed over to Mr Richard Coe at this point who noted he is an independent examiner.
It was noted by Mr Coe that the Association is a small society with the aim to not make a big profit or loss. Showing a small surplus is ideal for the Association. It was noted that the overall surplus covers general expenses.
It was noted that the bank balance is very consistent, cash flow was slightly down when the new container was purchased.
No questions were asked of the accounts
The Accounts were duly proposed by Mrs Jill Freeman and seconded by Mrs Helen Crabtree without objection as a true record.
Appointment of the External Examiner
Mr Richard Coe was appointed to externally examine the accounts in 2020, tom proposed and Mr Mike Tebitt seconded
The Annul Outing and Organic talk update
The Chair noted that it had already been mentioned by Mr Simon Biddlecombe that the outing was a well-chosen event and went well, the events are always very well organised by Mr Bob Freeman.
The Forthcoming Year
Annual outing for 2020 needs some ideas, does anybody have any suggestions that they would like to see happen.
The President noted Desborough in Bloom gent can give talks.
Chair noted that at the next BBQ the Committee would like to hold a vegetable show and sell items to public or members.
NC noted Loseley Park Guildford, house gardens in July – on the next agenda for the committee
Any Other Business
Jill Freeman asked could we stock more Peet free products, Alternative slug control, Plastic bottles on the end of cables and plastic ties
Jill also encourage others to start to use the green twine noting the Poem about plastic in the NSA book very good and thought provoking
The Chair noted that a number of plots are vacant, and we have 7 on the wait list.
The Chair noted his thanks to Mr Bob Threadgold who has given out the plots for many years. It was noted that Bob has moved away from this role but will remain on the Committee.
Mr Glen Houghton has now taken on the role of plot Manager.
The Chair once again noted that Mr Bob Threadgold has done an excellent job over the years and thanked him for everything he has done.
The President noted that two years ago it was discussed to try to get Gardeners Question Time to come from Desborough, DC asked for anybody who wished to drive the event to come forward.
Mrs Maureen Wingfield asked if Bacs payment for subscriptions could be looked at, it was agreed this matter would go on the next Committee agenda for discussion,
The Chair thanked everybody for attending and closed the meeting at 8pm