Committee Minutes

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 12 AUGUST 2024

PRESENT:  Pat Catchpole, Phil  Badman, Barbara Hopkins, David Hopkins, Barbara Mead and Matt Wells.

APOLOGIES: Tania Young.

 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22 APRIL 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2024 were agreed.

  MATTERS ARISING:

Website: Phil pointed out that the silver support package (£5.99 per month) is not necessary as he is able to deal with website issues. He will look into details of the bronze package.  Phil also pointed out that invoices for the website payment are accruing on the HGS website.  He will show Pat how to access these.            Action: Phil Badman

TREASURER'S REPORT:

Income £                                                             Expenditure £ 

Dahlia splitting             59.50                               Compost        4.93

Cuttings demo             43.00                                Boat trip     990.00*

 Plant sale               389.35                                   Website       17.97

 Boat trip                 1,000.00                                 Jubilee Hall hire  £64

 Bank interest              18.45            

    Total    income        1510.30            Total expenditure         1076.90

*deposit for boat trip £130 previously paid.  Cost to HGS for boat trip subsidy was £120

Current account        £63.74

Reserve account    £3654.79

Cash               £ 68.66

Total            £3787.19

Pat advised that fundraising had generated a total of £486.92.  At most events cake and refreshments had been provided by some committee members free of charge and sold to visitors.

EVENT FEEDBACK

Dahlia cutting – this event had gone very well.

Cuttings class – successful

Plant sale – very well supported.  Pat suggested that next time there should be a more planned approach to the plants available.

Boat trip – this had been a huge success.

It was noted, however, that these events had not resulted in increased membership of HGS.

Cuxton open gardens – this had gone well and raised approx. £900.

AUTUMN SHOW 1 SEPTEMBER 2024:

Pat has prepared a poster for distribution.  Meet at 9.00am to prepare the hall.   David and Barbara H will once again organise the refreshments.  Phil will put up the banners.

HARDWOOD CUTTINGS EVENT

It was agreed that this will be held on Saturday 19th October 2.00pm at Manor Farm. Plastic bags of suitable hardwood plant cuttings to be taken along.

AGM:

The Committee members present are willing to stand again.

EVENTS PROGRAMME FOR 2025

Many trips were discussed, including the following:

Great Comp

Boughton Monchelsea Place

Nettlestead Place

Spar Valley Railway

Groombridge

Restoration House

Eastgate

Bishop’s House

Faversham open gardens

It was agreed that further information about Restoration House (Matt) and Groombridge (Barbara H) would be obtained.

In addition, a talk could be included in the events programme. Matt will report back about a talk being given tomorrow at Strood Gardening Club about climate change impact on gardening.                                           Action: Matt Wells

Pat suggested a demo session on pruning but questioned what plants could be used.

Pat suggested a tour of a nursery.  A speaker at Strood gardening Club had once mentioned this.  Matt will find out details.                      Action: Matt Wells

Pat will ask members for their suggestions.                  Action: Pat Catchpole

It was agreed that a programme of HGS events would be published for 2025 and delivered jointly with those for Halling Historical Society.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Committee meeting time – Tania has asked if the time could be brought forward from  8.00pm.  After discussion, it was agreed to try an earlier start of 7.30pm

2024 DATES

Committee meetings : 

October 14         7.30pm

November 25      7.30pm

Autumn Show    1 September 2024

AGM            4 November 2024

DATE OF NEXT MEETING 

Monday 14 October 2024 at 7.30pm at Manor Farm.  Barbara Mead offered her apologies.