MARKWICK GARDENS COMMITTEE

Meeting held on Monday 17 March 2008

At 33 Brittany Road, St Leonards on Sea

Present:

Arlene, Theresa, Christine, Helen, Dulcie, Steve, Digger, Monique

Apologies:

There were no apologies.

Minutes of the Last Meeting:

The minutes of the last meeting were circulated and approved.

Matters Arising:

The Committee is still searching for an affordable quotation from someone to cut down the holm oak tree.

Correspondence:

The only correspondence received had been from a member giving their apologies for the AGM.

Finance:

There is currently £3053.07 in the main account and £1353.30 in the savings account which included recently added interest. The Jumble Sale made a profit of about £50.

Membership:

The total Membership is 151. The Committee reluctantly accepted the resignation of Peter Maughan, not just from the Committee but also as a member of the Gardens, who had been extremely upset by other Garden members with dogs, as he had tried to sit quietly in the gardens. The Committee agreed that a letter would be written to all members stating that this sort of behaviour was unacceptable. It was agreed that the Committee should send their thanks to Peter for his contribution to the Committee and especially all the maintenance work that he had carried out in the Gardens.

Maintenance:

Ø A tree had fallen in the gardens but luckily had not caused damage.

Ø 2 rolls of fencing and stakes appear to have gone missing in the gardens.

Ø It was agreed to increase the amount paid to the Gardener by £1.00 per hour from 1 April.

Ø Dog mess and dog behaviour was discussed at length with no immediate solution being forthcoming. It was agreed that signs should be put up in the Gardens similar to those in Alexandra Park, referring to dog behaviour.

Ø Following Peter’s resignation from the Gardens the grass mowing rota was discussed

Ø Digger reported that he was prepared to carry on with the work his Thursday group of volunteers were currently doing in the gardens.

Railings/Fences/Gates:

Ø It was reported that the Gate on the corner of Markwick Terrace and Dane Road was broken and that it would cost £55 & VAT to repair. It was agreed that this would not be carried out until all the gates required checking and it would be padlocked for the time being.

Fundraising Events:

Barn Dance at St Johns Hall - 29 March 2008

Tickets have been printed and circulated to the Committee members. They would be on sale at the Jumble Sale. It was agreed that this could be advertised in What’s On for a cost of £10.

Annual General MeetingThe Taplin Centre- 12 April – 10am to 12 noon

The AGM had been booked at the Taplin Centre for 12 April and papers have gone out with the latest Newsletter.

Coffee Morning 19 April, at 33 Brittany Road – 10am to 12 noon

Dulcie kindly agreed to host a coffee morning on 19 April and this would be announced at the AGM and also notices would be put up in the Gardens.

Dog Show, Markwick Gardens - 18 May 2008

The Committee had purchased a very nice cup for the Show and the membership would be asked to sponsor a rosette when asked for their membership fee for 2008.

Summer Fair, Markwick Gardens - 22 June, 2008

To be discussed at the next meeting.

Summer Musical Event – Sunday 3 August 2008(provisional)

It is intended to put on another event with the same format as last year during August and the 3 August was suggested as a possible date. This would be confirmed as soon as possible and advertised to members.

Other fund raising ideas were discussed including a beetle drive and perhaps a plant sale.

Any Other Business:

The new flats on the corner of Brittany Road and Dane Road

The Committee were informed that there would be an open day for the show flat on 29 March. It was agreed that some membership forms would be send to Fox and Sons, the Estate Agents, to include in the literature available on the day.

The Meeting ended at 9.45pm. The next meeting will take place on Monday 21 April 2008, at 8.00pm and will be held at 33 Brittany Road.