2010 AGM minutes.

Tamar Grow Local CIC

Minutes of General Meeting & AGM 30th November 6pm,
Tamar Valley Centre, Cemetery Road, Drakewalls, Gunnislake.

General Meeting 6pm

Present:
Derek Sweeney, Rob Riggs, Ron Faulkner, Ryan Rodgers, Andy Whiteford, Andy Pratt, Sue Moony, Jon Moony, Simon Platten, Jon Selman, Jackie Knapman, John Knapman.

1.0 Resolution:
The following resolution was approved by all members present (by a show of hands): 'Articles of Association of the company be amended by deleting them in their entirety and substituting the Articles of Association attached and marked @'.

Meeting closed.

AGM 6.30pm

Present:
Derek Sweeney, Rob Riggs, David Thomas, Jenny Thomas, Ley Roberts, Ron Faulkner, Sharon Riggs, Ryan Rodgers, Andy Whiteford, Andy Pratt, Sue Moony, Jon Moony, Simon Platten, Jon Selman, Jackie Knapman, John Knapman, Ron Stone, David Earp.

1.0 Introductions

2.0 Allotments
St. Budeaux update: Derek Sweeney outlined the progress at the allotment- another successful year. There is still a waiting list of 5 people with several plots recently let out to new people. Generally the site was looking very good. Ron Faulkner had helped to tidy western part of site. A Barbecue was held where almost everyone attended from the site and a Show in the Church Hall.

DS had extended the water supply to the eastern part of the site, all as part of a successful Sports Relief Community Cash grant of £500, which had also paid for materials for the Community Plot (timber edgings etc).

Andy Whiteford explained the interest in the Community Plot, where young people from 'The Zone' project in Plymouth are also involved (which provides support for young people), including one person from a farming background. The local SureStart Nursery are also involved and have cleared part of the site, with children and parents involved.

Jackie Knapman highlighted the awards this year, including Plymouth in Bloom 'Best Community Project' Bronze award, 'Allotment' Commended, and also an RHS SW award, which is excellent news.

John Knapman commented that the use of the one stone shed (former pigsty) for everyone, with no others had worked well.

Jackie asked about the hedgelaying. The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers are still interested in completing this work (could run a course on this for all interested), together with walling on the 'Devon Bank'.

Jackie asked about the hedge planting and encroachment of brambles. As the City Council had not maintained this, BTCV could potentially help during establishment.

Calstock update: Fran Walker (Calstock Allotment Secretary) was unable to attend, however provided an update which JS handed out and ran through. Currently there is a waiting list of 6 people for plots. About 17 new people have taken plots.

Fran is asking if anyone is interested in helping to manage the site, as it would be great to form a team to organise activities such as social events, community composting or maintenance days etc. Could anyone interested please contact Fran.

David Thomas discussed maintenance of the site. JS suggested a hold a maintenance day, where everyone helps to tidy the site or a strimmer (and safety equipment) could be purchased for the site if everyone could chip in. Sue Moony knows a place to get these cheaply. Ron Faulkner also thought this could work well for St. Budeaux.

There is a vacancy in the Chicken Co-op for anyone interested.

The Community Plot, which is a joint Cornwall/ Devon NHS initiative for therapeutic benefits and has worked well this year. Calstock School Plot has also been a success this year, with a good crop.

David Thomas commented on the soil analysis for the site and asked whether there had been any findings from the University of Plymouth. JS explained some of the background, and that originally the soil had been tested for heavy metals as the Tamar Valley had extensive mining, and therefore the potential for higher levels. This had originally shown that the site was within what is regarded as safe limits, but as a precaution had sought further testing of vegetables in conjunction with a University research project to establish the uptake. This had also included land at Harrowbarrow. Simon Platten was keen to explore this issue further in relation to food projects, as there are localized areas with higher levels of heavy metals.

3.0 Growing the Valley
JS provided some background to this initiative which included a range of new projects (and development of some existing) under the 'Growing the Valley' bid to the Big Lottery Local Food strand. We found out in the Spring 2010 that this had been successful.

The intention was also to build links between projects where possible, which could include a range of possibilities such as skills, trading gluts, or sharing equipment. The bid covers the employment of a member of staff, some project costs such as volunteers, and development of the website to provide more information about projects. It has taken some time to meet the funding conditions, and recruit a member of staff.

After interviews (assisted by Unlocking Cornwall Potential), we have offered the job to Simon Platten who we are very pleased has accepted and will be starting in January 2011. The project runs for a three year period.

Simon explained the role of the 'Growing Projects Propagator' in more detail.

Jon Selman then explained the projects that been defined for the first year, each of which had to be sustainable in its own right after the three years of the funding. This will include:

• Harrowbarrow orchard (Treragin Orchard). Funding secured, including for a grafting workshop in March.
• Community Training Apiary/ Co-operative. Some funding secured to run practical beekeeping courses on an annual basis.
• Harrowbarrow and Metherell CSA.
• Calstock Community Composting project. Some funding secured for an initial Feasibility Study.
• Gunnislake CSA.
• Bere Alston - working with young people.
• Maristow Walled Garden CSA.
• Calstock Community Allotments Community Plot.
• St. Budeaux Church Church Community Allotments Community Plot.
• Cotehele Estate (National Trust) – various projects.
• Yelverton allotments at Buckland Abbey.
• Cox Park- allotments / CSA.
• Pentillie Estate walled garden / orchard.

The projects may change, depending on the level of interest/ demand and other ideas may come forward.

4.0 Tamar Producers Co-operative Feasibility
Jon Selman outlined the proposal for a Producers Co-operative which may allow producers to collaborate to market/ process or distribute local produce, and also a Growers Land Trust which is to encourage the start up of new businesses, by reducing costs of access to land and sharing resources/ costs.

TGL has been successful in getting some European funding (RDPE) to carry out a Feasibility Study into this, using the Royal Agricultural College working with F3 consultants. As part of this a workshop was held on 15th November.

Andy Whiteford outlined the event, which was well attended (over 50 participants) with a good number of producers, buyers, landowners present. There was a lot of interest in the Co-op, and also the Land Trust.

The final report will be published in May/ June next year and then subject to a viable proposal a bid can be made for implementation.

5.0 Directors
All elected (and not co-opted) Directors stood down and were eligible for re-election under the revised Articles.

• Community Directors (2) Nominations - Rob Riggs and Ron Faulkner.
• Commercial Directors (2) Nominations - Jon Selman and Ryan Rodgers.
• Co-opted Directors (2) Nominations - Andy Pratt and Andy Whiteford.

As there had been no alternative nominations, there was no need to vote, and these positions were confirmed.

6.0 Accounts
Jon Selman tabled the latest accounts which ran from April 2009 until April 2010 and handed out a few copies (e-mailed in advance).

Income (down from the previous year) was mainly from membership, a payback scheme, grants and sponsorship, also charges for stalls at events.

Outgoings mainly revenue costs associated with sites (insurance, accounts, bills etc) and project related costs, also event costs.

There were no comments on the accounts, which were accepted.

7.0 Events 2010
Events included the Successional Cropping workshop run by Rob Riggs and Organic Techniques run by Sean O'Neill. This led to the Seasonal sowing chart designed by Ley Roberts. There was some discussion on potential uses for this chart.

Also the Strawberry Festival and the Tamar Harvest in September (third year running) which Ryan explained had great potential and scope to expand. Ley Roberts thought this was a successful event. There was some discussion about the costs of the event, and whether it broke even. Simon discussed the approach at Pencarrow, including charging for admission. A number of people thought this might be more difficult at Cotehele, but perhaps in the context of a marquee.

Future events: Simon Platten suggested a seed/ plant exchange event in the Spring, which could also include heritage or heirloom and local varieties.

John Knapman liked the idea of visits to a range of these sites in the Growing the Valley project, including the walled gardens. Perhaps a coach trip could be arranged.

Jackie Knapman made the point that it was difficult for some people from St. Budeaux to attend events at Cotehele. Jackie suggested a Gardeners Question Time type event, having attended one in Saltash.

Simon outlined some ideas for projects to be able to share skills perhaps across a range of projects, which could be focused around different locations (e.g. Pentillie).

Big Lunch is another idea for July (although this had been rained off several times in previous years, despite the determination of some from St. Budeaux!).

AOB - There was a general discussion about pigeons, rabbits and rat problems!