Brunswick Square CLA

Present: Ursula Windsor (President), Jim Procter (Chairman), Anthea Graham, John Gannon, Margaret Robson, Terry Robson, Frieda Caulkett (Treasurer), Leslie Venon (Secretary)

1) Apologies for absence: Chris Prosser, Harry Gleadow (Vice Chairman), Martyn White, Robert Simpson, Russell Steel, Carole Carpenter, Jonny Cox, Bob Wyatt, and Dave Thomas.

2) Minutes from last meeting (4 June 2009) were approved: proposed by Anthea Graham, seconded by Terry Robson.

Correction from the minutes of 15 February 2010: Jonny Cox is a new member of the association, not a new resident.

3) Matters arising:

a) Beech tree: Jim emailed Russell – to follow up.

b) Response to survey: Jim to chase Chris

c) Tree maintenance: Jim asked Russell for his help and expertise – to follow up.

d) Hanging baskets: it is too late in the season for the Hartpury students to design them and take care of them. Terry and Stephen will take care of the design and get quotes from garden centres. Jim has offered his plastic greenhouse to store the planted baskets and Terry will care of them until it is time to hang them.

e) Dead cherry tree: Jim spoke to Russell and will chase him.

f) Invoices for the square subscription: Jim prepared them and Terry distributed them. We have had some response already.

g) Free trees from Gloucester City Council: Terry to contact the council and find out if we can receive some hawthorn trees.

h) The tree Ursula gave to replace the dead cherry tree has been planted in the square.

i) Gloucester in Bloom: the association has decided not to participate this year. However, it has also been agreed to that the committee will approach Hartpury College next year to work on a joint project.

j) Cricket Club: the club agreed to loan some equipment (at £20/hour) to roll the square. We now need to co-ordinate with the Cricket club to arrange a time and day for Russell to pick up the equipment. We will also need a trailer to transport the roller.

k) Russell’s invoice: Russell did not send his invoice for grass cutting yet. Jim chased him as planned.

l) Gates locked: the initiative to lock the gates in the evenings and during the weekends seems to be working.

4) Treasury Report:

Co-op Bank account – Community bank account: £1,113.89

NatWest Current account: £1053.86 (as of 30.03.2010)

• Emma Morris sent the required forms to the Co-op Bank in order to change the name on the account, so Frieda can access it. It was decided that the committee would wait until the AGM before making the name change.

6) Community Events:

a) Songs of praise / Craft fair: Jim is to ring the organisers of the craft fair to ask if they would like to reiterate last year’s event, and select a date.

b) Jim emailed Phil Webb at the Salvation Army to set a date for the 2010 Christmas Carol evening. The committee agree to send a letter of thanks and a Frieda suggested to donate £25 pounds to the SA. Frieda will send the letter and a cheque.

c) Amnesty International: this year’s is the 40^th anniversary of Amnesty International and the committee suggested we approach them to offer the square as a place for them to organise a celebration.

7) Garden Maintenance & Management:

a) Tree maintenance: Jim is to book the tree maintenance company to deal with the chestnut.

b) The perennial flowers are doing well; however, some bed flowers have been trampled and will need to be replanted. Terry and Margaret have offered to give some bulbs

c) The grass needs cutting; Jim will ask Russell to take care of it.

Correspondence:

a) Ecclesiastical Insurance rang Jim to say that they might have some spare money. They would like to sponsor a bench. The committee decided to offer them to buy one similar to the most recently acquired, at a cost of £500.

9) Matters arising:

• Terry proposes that the square be locked up at dusk, and that the resident be able to lock up the square at anytime during the weekend if needed. Terry also suggests to cut a dozen keys so square residents could buy one if they want. This issue should be discussed at the AGM.
• Ursula would like to square to remain opened during the weekend, so people can use it.
• AGM: Jim and Frieda will get together to prepare the annual account prior to the annual meeting.

• Frieda agrees to carry on a Treasurer, Leslie will remain as Secretary provided no one else is volunteering.

• Chairman: Jim, incumbent Chairman, believes that the Chairman needs to be involved and know the gardens, and interested in doing some work in the square. He suggest a collegial system, with a different Chairman at each meeting.

The next committee meeting will be decided at the AGM on 12 April 2010, 7.30 pm in the Hall of Christ Church, Gloucester.