Our 2019 Annual General Meeting was held on 25 October at the Meanwood Institute. For the official record, read the minutes. Here is a summary.
Chair’s Report
The 2019 growing year brought us a cold, dry spring and wet summer, with an early appearance of potato blight in July. Some fruit crops were very good. Rats and squirrels were a big problem, and many corn crops were completely wiped out.
The Committee met five times this year.
Sue Stones has stepped down as Secretary. Big thanks to her for all her excellent work and creative input.
Our events this year included
- The plant B&B was on 3rd June and was a great success, the quality of plants was again excellent.
- Our autumn show on 8th September, judged by our own Gillian North.
- A visit from Moorlands School on 25th September.
- An apple juicing day on 28 September.
- Several work parties:
- Erection of our communal poly tunnel,
- Bonfires,
- Work on the coppice area.
Volunteers do a lot of important day by day work around the allotments: cutting grass, maintaining the hedges, looking after the composting toilet, letting out plots, collecting rents, maintaining our web site and Facebook, Twitter and Instagram presence.
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees do three plot inspections each year on about 1st of March, June and September, with three follow up inspections six weeks after. The committee meets each time to decide what to do about any problem plots.
There were 5 inspections between March and September, looking mainly at Health and Safety and Cultivation. There were 4 evictions. Several plots improved after warning letters.
Security: There were several break-ins, though the new fence and gate seem to help. It seems likely that leaving the code unscrambled is the cause of the break-ins, so it is important to remember to scramble the code.
Paths should be kept clear, and ideally at least 80cm wide to allow for safe passage of people, mowers and wheelbarrows.
Treasurer’s Report
Election of Officers and Committee
All officers and committee members stand down each year, but are eligible for re-election. Officers and Committee were elected for 2020 as follows:
| Post | Name | Plot |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Joe Foster | 30 + 31B |
| Secretary | Jayne Harnett | 15BL |
| Treasurer | Stephan Petzold | 26B + 26TR |
| Plot Letting | Rosie Hall | 12B + 23B |
| Ness Clarke | 20T |
|---|---|
| Mary Davies | 10BR |
| Glenn Drury | 6T |
| Tom & Trina Evans-Cheung | 20BL |
| Chris Foren | 26TL + 32BL |
| Giles Foster | 20T |
Prize Giving
Best plots were judged by Brian Jenner of Hayley’s Field Allotments on 13 July. This year there were categories for full, half and quarter plots, as well as best newcomer.
| Best Plot | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Plot | Ros Dunlevey, plot 37 | Joe Foster, plot 30 | Peter Blakey, plot 13 |
| Half Plot | Chris Thirkill, plot 14B | Malcolm Slade, plot 8R | |
| Quarter Plot | Jayne Harnett, plot 15BL | Jessica Johnson, plot 3BL | Ben&Sophia Hepworth, 38BL |
| Newcomer | Jessica Johnson, plot 3BL |
Ros Dunlevey’s plot was best overall, so she holds the shield this year.
The Autumn Show, on 8 September was judged by Gillian North.
| Award | Name |
|---|---|
| Best in Show | Rosie Hall (leeks) |
| Overall Winner | Rosie Hall |
| Joe Maiden Cup | Jenny Tennant-Jackson |
| Novice | Jessica Johnson |
AOB: Rachael Munro-Fawcett presented some of her recent photographs from Hollin Lane Allotments.