23 November 2009
Present: Ursula Windsor (President), Jim Procter (Chairman), Russell Steel, Harry Gleadow (Vice Chairman), Chris Prosser, John Gannon, Carole Carpenter, Margaret Robson, Terry Robson, Frieda Caulkett (Treasurer), Leslie Venon (Secretary)
1) Apologies for absence: Anthea Graham, Martyn White, Robert Simpson.
2) Minutes from last meeting (4 June 2009) were approved: proposed by Harry Gleadow, seconded by Terry
3) Matters arising:
a) Plaque has been reinstalled thanks to Stephen Prosser and Harry Gleadow
b) Beech tree lopping: we have different options. Some can be done by the association with the work to be done urgently. Russell Steel is to trim the beech trees
c) Entrust: no progress – Jim to make it a priority
d) Benches: the green bench will be placed in the bay, by the far side of the garden. Regarding the white bench, the association will purchase some wood to repair the old bench. It should be ready for unveiling at Christmas and will be placed at its original place. It will have to be attached to the ground
e) Response to survey: there was no progress – priority for Jim Procter and Harry Gleadow
f) Carol service: it will take place on the 21 December at 6 pm, with the choir of the Salvation Army and the Reverend Robert Simpson. There will be some carols (by the Salvation Army), readings (from volunteers who will decide what they want to read) and a blessing by Robert Simpson (introduction and final blessing). Ursula Windsor, Jim Procter, John Gannon, Frieda Caulkett and Richard Graham volunteered for the readings. The association will serve some food and drinks.
Chris Prosser is to deal with the advertising (posters and flyers) while Jim Procter is to confirm the date and time with the Salvation Army.
g) Letter to Enterprise: Jim Procter will write a letter to the company thanking them for their good work with the hanging baskets.
h) Tree maintenance: Jim Procter to contact the company to trim deal with the big dead tree (cost of £260). Russell Steel to look at the chestnut that needs to be trimmed by two/three metres. Russell is to identify any other trees that need to be taken care of and discuss it with Justin Hobbes to see what he suggests. We might need to replace some old trees with new ones.
i) Hanging baskets: it is too late for Hartpury College to take this initiative on as a school project. However, they will be happy to help. We could use last year’s hanging baskets design, give them the flowers and they will do the baskets. To do so, we need to prepare a budget for the next meeting (including cost of plants and watering). We might also need new linings for the baskets, and replace the two baskets that got stolen last year.
j) Gate disclaimer: Ursula Windsor is to investigate of we need a sign and if so, what it should say. She will consult David Mouland.
4) Treasury report:
- NatWest current account (on 23 October 2009): £ 1,021, 01 with a bill of £599 still to be processed (for the benches)
- Co-op account (5 October 2009): £ 994
Frieda Caulkett and Jim Procter to transfer money to the current account to pay for the beches and the tree report.
Financial report from the September 2009 music event:
Cost of hire, musician and drinks: £351.80
Income: £250
Chris Prosser did not hear anything from the Gloucester City Council regarding the grant. Chris to chase Malcolm Dunn.
5) Fund raising: the car park fund raising brought £144.60 – well done everybody! Chris booked us for the same car park (by the park, close to the surgery) same time next year (9 October 2010). Chris also enquired about us using the Shire Hall car park to raise money: only registered charities can use it.
6) Community events: Carol service on 21 December 2010. Events for 2010 to be discussed at the next meeting in February 2010
7) Garden maintenance and management:
- Terry Robson to gently rake all dead flowers off the wild meadow area.
- Bulbs: Harry to bargain hunt for bulbs (daffodil) that we could plant around the dead tree.
- Tree maintenance: there is a dead cherry tree by the acacia that needs to be removed (Russell)
Correspondence: Ursula received a letter concerning the association, she is to pass it on to Jim Procter
9) Any other matters:
- Jim Procter will send invoices for all remaining subscriptions.
- We should ask for more free trees: we can get them from the Gloucester City council. Someone suggested a Hawthorn, which works well as a bush or a tree. We could have a hawthorn hedge by the railing close to the bug city. We could have up to 10 trees from the city council.
- Chris Prosser remarked that the number of birds in the square have decreased (excluding magpies)
- Amanda Procter, the former minute secretary has resigned from the committee.
Date of next meeting: Monday 15 February 2010 (7.30 pm), to be held at Christ Church, Gloucester (Parish room)