MARKWICK GARDENS COMMITTEE

Meeting held on Monday 12 May 2008

Present:

Ken, Lesley, Kay, Denise, Theresa, Christine, Helen, Dulcie, Digger, Monique, Steve

Apologies:

There were no apologies as all were present.

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The minutes of the last meeting were circulated and approved.

Matters Arising:

All matters arising have been noted under the appropriate agenda headings.

Correspondence:

A letter notifying a change in Treasurer for St Johns Hall had been received and was passed to the Treasurer for future reference.

Finance:

£3685.02 in the main account. £1353.30 in the savings account. £200 is available as change for fund raising events. The Chairman received £805.00 in cash from Ruth Downer and this would be put into a fencing account. There are outstanding bills for the hire of St Johns Hall for the jumble sale (£45) and water bill (£80.60). To date £515 has been received in subscriptions and donations for the Dog Show Rosettes.

Membership:

Membership currently stands at 150 members. Seven members had written to say they were not going to renew their membership, five because of the price increase, two because they were moving out of the area.

Maintenance:

Ø The Committee agreed that a priority must be to devise a plan for the Gardens and a meeting would be arranged to discuss this as soon as possible

Ø The Committee heard that both the Sheds need to be tidied and have shelves and brackets fitted to take the tools and other garden equipment currently available. The Committee agreed to buy brackets and clips as appropriate for a sum not to exceed £60.00. It was decided that a property book should be started in order to list all donated and purchased equipment and this would be audited on a six monthly basis. The sheds still need to be tidied.

Ø The arrival of the top soil had been postponed due to illness and will be delivered on Tuesday 13 May.

Ø Several quotes have been received regarding the felling of the holm oak. Council permission would be requested and then the Committee will take this matter forward as a matter of urgency.

Ø Two small fire extinguishers had been purchased and a large silver fire extinguisher donated. These will be located in the shed.

Ø The Committee heard how the rise in the cost of fuel had affected the cost of mowing the Gardens, as the mower uses 2 gallons per mow. Ken is joining Steve on the mowing rota, but other volunteers would be sought through the next newsletter.

Ø Maintenance work for the next few weeks will focus on trimming the hedges, trees and lawns.

Railings/Fences/Gates:

Ø It was agreed that the donation of £805 towards fencing should be used as soon as possible. It was agreed that the Dane Road side of the Gardens would be made the priority. The membership would be informed about this through the next newsletter and volunteers would be sought to help with the erection of fencing. It was agreed that the Dane Road side of the Gardens would be the priority.

Ø The Committee agreed that a date could now be fixed for the servicing of the gates and the key pads, and that a change of number should take place soon. The Membership would be advised in the next newsletter of the change of number.

Fundraising Events:

Dog Show, Markwick Gardens - 18 May 2008

The Committee discussed the arrangements for the Dog Show and it was agreed that the Committee would organise the BBQ, cake stall, tombola and raffle.

Summer Fair, Markwick Gardens – 29 June 2008

The Committee discussed the programme for the Summer Fair and various ideas were put forward. Committee members would all now check the availability for the entertainment acts, comperes etc. The final programme would be discussed at the next meeting.

Summer Musical Event – Sunday 3 August 2008

This date has now been confirmed and will be included in the newsletter. Further details of this event would be discussed at subsequent meetings.

Other fund raising ideas would be discussed at subsequent meetings.

Any Other Business:

Vehicular Access through the main gates of the Gardens:

The Committee discussed whether there could be yellow lines painted in front of the main gates because this was the only access if there was an emergency. It was agreed that this would be investigated further with the Council.

Rules of Markwick Gardens

The Committee agreed that a copy of the rules would be put up in the Notice Board within the Gardens.

The next meeting will take place on Monday 9 June 2008, at 8.00pm.