24 May 2010
Present: Ursula Windsor (President); Bob and Elizabeth Wyatt; John Gannon; Harry Gleadow; Carole Carpenter; Antheaa Graham; Margaret & Terry Robson (Chairman); Jim Procter; Stephen Prosser; Frieda Caulkett; Rev. Robert Simpson
1) Apologies: Chris Prosser; Martyn White
2) Adoption of minutes:
a) March: Anthea proposes, Margaret seconds
b) April: Anthea proposes, Elizabeth seconds
3) Matters arising:
a) Beech tree: too late to lop the tree. It will have to be done next winter
b) Response to survey: it has been completed
c) Tree maintenance: Terry has booked trimming of the dead tree.
d) Hanging baskets: they are nearly ready. Enterprise will take care of the watering (starting date to be confirmed with the company this week). Terry will be away during the delivery, Stephen offered to help: he will take delivery, store and water the baskets until it is time to hang them. Stephen volunteered to hang them, with help. As per Jim suggestion, the baskets will be treated with slug pellets.
e) Dead cherry tree: Terry to take over the issue
f) Cricket club: after several attempts, Russell and Terry could not transport the equipment. The committee agrees that Terry and Stephen will hire a roller.
g) Russell’s invoice: it has been processed
h) Gates locked: the initiative to lock the gates in the evenings and at weekends seems to be working.
i) Signatures of cheques: the forms have been updated with the signatories. The documents will be sent out to the bank.
4) Treasurer’s report: not available, to be added to the minutes later
Frieda paid all the cheques received (from subscriptions). Terry contacted the three new businesses in No 17, and asked them if they would like to contribute to the gardens’ maintenance. To be followed up.
5) Community Events:
a) Arts & Crafts Fair: no interest
b) Amnesty International: Frieda spoke to Amnesty International to indicate the Square was open to host their celebrationand Terry spoke to them: no real interest
c) World Environment Day: nothing will be organised
6) Garden Maintenance & Management:
a) Rolling the grass: it has been decided – see paragraph 3) – f
b) Croquet lawn: the committee is keen to establish it. We will do it ourselves with the little roller at our disposal. Should we invest in equipment for the maintenance? Stephen saw a second hand mower (cylinder cutting) for £199, which could be use for the croquet lawn. Stephen proposes that the BSCLA purchases it, Harry seconds. The committee agrees unanimously. Stephen will arrange the purchase.
c) Wild flower meadow: Terry did cut the grass as instructed. We now have red and white campions, along with red fox gloves.
7) Keys of the square for the subscribers: there are no more keys available
Any Other Business:
a) Anthea Graham pointed out that No 18 on the Square as deteriorating, especially the shed at the back of the property. She proposes to write to the conservation officer on behalf of the BSCLA to ask the owner to care for the property. Terry mentions that he spoke to the owners in the past. As the property is in a conservation area, the shed cannot be taken down. However, it can be removed once it becomes too dilapidated. Several members of the committee suggest that we could write to the officer or owner to see what they say. Jim Procter points out that, we are a garden association, not a resident association, therefore, it would vote against the BSCLA taking a stand. It is decided that Anthea will write a letter and the residents can sign it, without involving the BSCLA.
b) Ecclesiastical would like to buy a bench for the square. The association will buy a bench and send the invoice to the company. Terry will order the bench and make sure someone is available to take reception. Jim asked Ecclesiastical if they wanted to put a plaque on it, they did not respond yet. We need to add the cost of the concrete, two chains and a couple of padlock necessary to install the bench in the square.
c) Jim used his chain to fix a bench and would like to take it back.
d) Media: there was an article in the Citizen in May about how wonderful the square is blooming, thanks to the subscribers’ contribution (and despite the recession)
e) Jim needs access to the shed to return two gazebos to their owner
f) A member of the committee reported that he had seen a couple, who live in the Square, trampling on the wild flower bed and kicking and stamping on the plants. He reported this to the Chairman who went to see the damage at once. Several Red Campion were broken and a number of Fox Gloves were squashed. There were clear two wide trampled pathways through the bed.
The Chairman said that he needed clear guidance from the committee before taking any action. The matter was discussed at length.
Several present felt that a letter should be written to the couple concerned asking them to explain themselves to the committee, stating that such behaviour will not be tolerated. This possibility was discussed at length with other members saying that we should ask ourselves what we wanted to achieve by writing and what we would achieve if we did.
A consensus was reached eventually with the committee deciding that a letter to the couple would achieve nothing positive and that since the couple concerned are on the mailing list the minutes themselves will constitute sufficient warning not to indulge in such behaviour again. However it was resolved that should any vandalism like this occur again it would be dealt with very seriously.
g) Events: Leslie suggests we organise a BBQ and reiterate the Jazz concert in the square.
BBQ: Margaret proposes, Harry seconds: the BBQ for residents and friends will be held on 3 July 2010. Margaret and Harry are designed to organise it; there will be a BBQ to grill the food brought by the participants.
Jazz concert: John Gannon said his band (Foundation Jazz Band) is willing to play. Suggested date: 11 September 2010 (Heritage Day) at 6 pm. To be followed up at the next meeting.
9) Date of next meeting: 5 July 2010, 7.30 pm, Christ Church Hall, Gloucester