Lowmoor Allotment Association
Minutes of the annual general meeting held on Sunday, April 20, 2008 in the new shop.

Present: J Darrell, E Darrell, S O’Grady, A Johnson, F Smith, S Hughes plus seven plotholders.

All were welcomed to the meeting and committee members were introduced to those present.

F Smith report: Warm thanks were given to the Sunday team who help in the shop, Mandy, Ivana, Sarah and Steve and the Saturday team, of Angela, June and Ernie, the seed packers and all who had helped build the shop, especially E Darrell, M Hopwood and S Blake. There had been a good response to volunteering requests. Seed orders will be send out as usual during October 2008, but will be made available for collection during February 2009 along with the potatoes and onion sets.
Frank also reported on the new shop build and explained why there had been a problem with the roof. The cost of the replacement roof was being met from a community group grant for improving facilities from City of York Council. The windows still need to be put in and the green roof needs to be added. Further volunteers will be needed for this and a work session for the weekend of May 2 and 3 to be arranged for clearing the contents of theold shop to the skip and help paint window frames and install windows. There is a crack on the back wall of the shop, but the architect is confident that this will not cause any problems. Negotiations are ongoing with NEDL regarding the supply of electricity to the shop.

The old railway carriage and shop is to be removed by City of York Council within the next two months then the car park will be redeveloped to create more parking spaced. There will also be defined areas for skips and green manure etc. Over the next few months whilst this work is in progress, would those who use the car park put their plot numbers in the car window as vehicles may need to be moved at short notice.
Saturday hours at the shop are to be changed to noon to 1.45pm.
An approximate list of the shop contents is to be put on the notice boards.

A Johnson reported that the closing balance of the Low Moor Allotments Association Account was £6,178.66 as at January 8, 2008 and the Gardeners’ Store balance at December 31, 2007 was £3,379.29.

S Hughes reported that there are nine half plots available; there was a waiting list of 4 people, she would be showing two couples plots after the meeting.

A Johnson reported on the Community Kids Plot. They are keen to involve plot holders with this initiative. There is to be a visit to Benningbrough Hall on June 21 leaving the main road at 10.30am at a cost of £2.50 plus entrance to the house. An open session will be held on July 19 from 2-4pm. There are ten children aged from seven to 12 working on the plots.
Five graduates are working on the nursery plots, plus Fishergate and St Lawrence’s Schools have a plot each. Two plots are available for novice gardeners.

Skips for landfill rubbish will be coming in early May. There will be no skips for green waste. There is concern that too much top soil is being put in the skips and all plotholders are advised to compost their green waste. If in doubt about how to do this, do approach committee members for advice. 

There has been a problem with litter dumped on the site. If you see this happening, either challenge the tippers or call the community police on 08456060247.

Taps have been stolen from the site and others across the city. Heavy duty plastic taps are to be fitted. A Johnson will request that this is done and the water put on by early May.

It was agreed that Association information will be put on both notice boards and in the shop. 

Election of officers: All the present committee agreed to stand again. Mandy Waggett agreed to join the committee and will take responsibility for putting circulars, news etc on the boards. Steve Blake is to be asked to come onto the committee.

It was confirmed that the boules pitch is open and can be used by any allotment holder.
There is to be two open plot days for allotment holders.