 The Minutes of the last meeting were circulated and approved.

 The Carols by Candlelight event held on Saturday 15 December was attended by around 50 people including the Rector of St Johns and his choir. It was agreed to thank them for their contribution. The event would be held again this year, perhaps with the addition of a bonfire if the maintenance team could arrange this.

 A letter had been received regarding the possibility of felling the holm oak tree near to the Cottage in the gardens. The Committee will try again to find a tree surgeon who can give quotes for this work.

 The Treasurer reported that there is presently £3480.76 in the main account and £1258 in the reserve account. The Association will need to pay £480 for general insurance and public liability, which is due this month.

 It was reported that 13 people who had not paid the 2007 membership fee had been taken from the membership list; there are currently 146 paid up members.

 The dead elm had been cut down and had been burnt in order not to spread disease.

 It was agreed that the Committee would pay £150 for a new felt roof for the shed that houses the mower.

 The mower had had a major service, which had been paid for.

 The Committee had a long discussion about the state of the paths in the gardens as they are currently very muddy and in need of attention. The use of weed killer on the paths was discussed and the Committee were in agreement that this was ideal to use in a dry period but not in winter. It was agreed that this would be reviewed in a couple of months.

 It was reported that there were several pieces of metal and an old motorbike around the gardens, the result of fly tipping. There was concern that fly tipping might increase as the Council could be going to “ration” people’s visits to the rubbish dump.

 Some shrubs had been ripped out of the ground and the Committee had to assume that dogs were responsible.

 The amount of dog mess in the gardens had increased recently. The Committee discussed this constant problem. It was agreed that a notice would go into the Newsletter.

 It was reported that general rubbish was becoming a problem and the Committee agreed that there should be more rubbish bins available for both general rubbish and dog mess.

 There are some railings that need to be put into the ground and one of the members had volunteered to do this but required some assistance. A member of the Committee agreed to help.

 The codes on the gates has been changed and members informed by Newsletter of the new code.

 The Committee is in the process of updating the Garden’s Website

 There are plans for a group of gardeners to build a gazebo in the gardens. The Committee agreed to put £350 towards the cost of building materials.

 The Spring timetable of events for the Tuesday Active Hastings Group and the Thursday Gardening Group was tabled and it was agreed these would be sent out with the next Newsletter.

 It was suggested that a compost doctor could be invited to come and give a talk on this topic to members. A date would be arranged and then the event would be advertised.

 The Committee was asked about the possibility of using the gardens to show the gardening group how to repair a lawn. The Committee agreed to this.

 Arlene will not stand as Chairman this year and so there is a vacancy. The Committee discussed how this vacancy may be filled and agreed that members should be invited to put forward nominations for the AGM.

 The Committee heard that the 28 new flats being built at the end of Brittany Road would be ready for sale soon. The estate agent would be preparing sellers packs and it was agreed that something about the Gardens should be included in the packs in order to attract more paying members.