4 March 2009
BRUNSWICK SQUARE CENTRAL LAWN ASSOCIATION
Meeting Weds 4 March 2009 at Christ Church, Brunswick Road
Attending:
Jim Procter (Chair), Freda Caulkett (Treasurer), Ursula Windsor, Terry Robson, Margaret Robson, Carole Carpenter, Nicholas Totty, Anthea Graham, Amanda Procter, Chris Prosser (Sec)
Apologies:
Russell Steel (Vice Chair), Martyn White, John Gannon, Eva Harvie, Stephen Prosser
Minutes from the previous Meeting (20.01.09) approved
The minutes from the previous meeting in January were approved. Ursula Windsor proposed the approval of the minutes, seconded by Amanda Procter.
Gloucester Community Grant Award
We have to provide a report on how we have used the £2000 funding from Gloucester City Council for the 08/09 period. Chris will complete the report (for submission by 31.03.09), but this has to be accompanied by a set of accounts from 07/08. They will want our 08/09 accounts when they are ready.
Jim to speak to Russell and Harry for a copy of the verified 07/08 accounts.
Chris has spoken to Marcus Grodentz, Media Officer at the City Council – he will hopefully feature Brunswick Sq ref the Community Grant in the next City Newsletter in April. Chris will follow this up.
Tree Survey
Jim has made some enquiries and the arrangement of an arborist’s tree survey is now in progress. We should take advice from the arborist on the need for tree surgery and the expected cost.
Garden Maintenance
Terry to check with Justin Hobbs (City Council) which branch(es) need to be removed from the twisted beech tree on the South side of the Square. He will then convey this to Russell who has agreed to carry out the trimming.
It was suggested that Russell also keep a maintenance log (a simple notebook) of lawn/tree work carried out in the Square for costing and planning etc.
Trees from Gloucester City Council
The offer of free trees/hedging from Gloucester City Council has expired, but Justin Hobbs has said that because Brunswick Square is exceptional in the City Centre, if we need any trees or hedgerows then he will be happy to both advise us and supply them.
Amanda to contact Justin to have this discussion and possibly request 6x hedging trees (either hawthorns or blackthorns – to be compatible with our native planting plan)
Lawn Contract
The lawn contract with Russell is now underway for 2009.
Clearing Shed Area
Stephen Prosser, Jim and Terry will clear the area behind the shed Sun 8 March – using Jim’s trailer to take the debris to the tip.
Memorial to Peter and Beryl Kennedy
On advice from Justin Hobbs, the oak tree has been purchased and planted by Andrew Pearce and David Kennedy has been informed. David will be arranging his own dedication plaque.
People were happy with the tree and see it as an investment in the Square for the future. The majority felt that it should be protected by a tree guard. Terry to speak to Justin again for advice on where to purchase a good tree guard.
Storytelling in the Square
Chris to chase up with Mari Smith at Gloucester City Council re opportunities for the Square as a potential venue for storytelling activities in the Summer.
Bins
Chris is now waiting to hear from Enterprise, which has the contract to empty the City bins, to arrange the fortnightly emptying of at least the three bins by the gates. It should cost no more than £50/yr. If she does not hear from them by mid-March, Chris will contact Sarah Boon at the City Council (Street Cleansing Dept) to chase this up. We would hope to pay this invoice annually or every six months.
Finance
There has been no expenditure since the last meeting, so the accounts are the same as at 20.01.09.
Jim and Terry need to remind some of the larger property owners on the Square to forward their subscriptions and to prepare this year’s (09/10) subscription invoices.
Donations
Amanda to send the donations and letters of thanks re:
• £50 to Christ Church for John Gannon’s consistent support and use of the Church facilities for meetings and events
• £25 to the Salvation Army for leading the carol service in the Square in December and providing the lovely musical accompaniment
Our thanks go to both Christ Church and the Salvation Army.
Constitution and Liability
Ursula, Jim and Terry met with David Moulane, solicitor with Luttons & Dunford on Tues 2 March, to discuss our liability should there be any litigation against the Square at any time (eg following an accident).
In general, he said that we should be adequately protected by our current insurance policy. (Chris has given this policy to Ursula who is going to provide this to David Moulane for inspection). He will write a letter to the BSCLA to confirm his findings and to provide, hopefully, extra reassurance that we have taken all appropriate steps to prevent accidents and to provide ourselves with adequate cover. He will also try to retrieve some of the original documentation relating to the Square that might be helpful to us in the future regarding our responsibilities. His bill will not exceed £300; Luttons & Dunford is a long standing supporter of the Square gardens and our thanks go to them.
Hartpury Students’ Designs for The Square
Amanda to write to Hartpury College to thank them sincerely for their work and to let them know which students’ designs have been chosen.
Jim to email Carol at Hartpury to arrange a meeting re implementing their designs – particularly the meadow area and the “bug city”. We will have to hire the turf-cutter to lay the meadow and purchase the plants/seeds.
We are not sure of the Gloucester in Bloom competition this year, following the closure of Hurrans who were the main sponsors last year. If we cannot get sponsorship through this competition we will not go ahead with the window planters again, but we will try to find the funds for the hanging baskets (there are 14). £400 is the total cost of plants and regular watering for these via the City Council contractors. We may look for sponsorship to cover these costs – possibly basket by basket.
We would hope to get the plants a little earlier this year ie just after Easter, in order to get them at their best.
Gloucester Arts Festival
This takes place in May – the Square could be a good venue for event(s). Amanda to follow up with the organisers and put the suggestion forward. John Gannon has already said that Christ Church should be available as an alternative if the weather was bad.
Tree Carving
Terry and Margaret suggested that the old chestnut tree at the East end of the Square could be carved into an ornamental shape. We might be able to get an arts grant to do this. Margaret to look into suitable grants. Otherwise, people asked to look at similar sculptures/carvings to see how they felt about it and what ideas they might have. Margaret to seek a suitable artist so that we might look at examples of his/her work in particular. Elisabeth le Vierge might have some ideas re grants and suitable artists.
Brunswick House
Markey Builders are converting the old council/college building into 36 bedsits for Hartpury students. Both Andy Barham, Head of Student Experience at Markeys (Tel. 01452 886119 or 07891 300057) andy.barham@markeygroup.co.uk)
and David Thomas, who is the Site Manager (Tel. 079676 52589) are available should anyone have any queries regarding the development. It is intended to be ready for the new influx of students in September 09.
Dates of next meeting(s)
The next meeting is the Annual General Meeting, to be held
Monday 16 March, 7.30pm
at 16 Brunswick Square
courtesy of Anthea and Richard Graham, and our thanks go to them.
All welcome. Anthea has kindly offered to provide the drinks, but you are welcome to bring along nibbles/finger food.
If you currently receive these Minutes by post, but would be happy to receive them by email, please let me know. Thank you.
Chris Prosser, BSCLA Secretary
10 Brunswick Square, Gloucester GL1 1UG
sprosser1@btinternet.com Tel. 01452-413439