MINUTES OF THE S.H.A.G.S.

COMMITTEE
Meeting held on 14th March 2018 in the Ted Allen room
In Attendance: Mike Cobley(Chair); Carole Pamphlett (Treasurer); Chris Wilson; Linda G, Keith
Rowland, Dominic Houlihan, Marcia Dorey, Chris Overton, Mr Stevenson and Keith Davidson
(Jane attended to take minutes in Roger’s absence)
Apologies: Rod Cooley, Jim Machin, Hazel Upton, Roger Glanville, Dorothy Mills, Albert Callaewert,
Frazer Gordon, John Myres
Mike Cobley welcomed everyone.
1. Review of minutes from last meeting
1.1 Minutes from last meeting approved. 1

2. Financial
2.1 Carole gave an update on rent renewals. Lots of people are now paying online. Carole trying to stay
on top of changes e.g. people who have become OAP, given up. Last Sunday collected £783.00 in rent
and £35.00 in associate memberships. £228.50 so far from people paying online. First year for online
renewals so will monitor the process. One more week to pay – then Carole will chase.
2.2 Carole gave update of shop sales/ figures. Sales are decreasing. Figures approved by Mike and
seconded.
2.3 No Machinery bills have been received – Tim is away but bills should arrive next week.
3.3 Carole now has the new water bills from Affinity Water. A discussion took place about pros and cons
of an online account – Carole would prefer to keep things as they are.
3. Site Matters
3.1 Site reports shared where available. 6 new members at Harpenden Rise. 1 new member at Cross
Lane.
3.2 Carole gave details of how many cubic meters of water have been used. Far more water used this
year. Discuss at site rep meeting – encourage people to use carefully. Harpenden rise is the ‘thirstiest
site’ per plot. It would be helpful to have a comparison for each site. Hoses use 30 litres of water per
minute.
3.3 Discussion about the pros and cons of drip hoses but concerns that people may not turn them off.
3.4 When water is turned back on, site reps to check for any problems following cold spell.
3.5 Some of the water covers are very heavy – Mike will investigate the one at Harpenden Rise.
4 Lettings
4.1 Lin’s plot will be taken over by her daughter. Neglected plots will be half price for this year to
encourage new plot holders. 14-15 empty plots at Piggotshill.
4.2 Currently 91% let
5 Machinery
5.1 Mike gave an update on machinery – most will be back next week. Some machines have been
‘condemned’ as if is difficult to get parts. New mower has been purchased - it is currently at Piggotshill
but due to go to Cross Lane. Still short of mowers. May ask shop to subsidise machinery. All to be

encouraged to look after machinery. Agreed that new mower was higher priority than new rotavator.
Rotavator from Piggotshill can be used at other sites. Possible to get in car but would need 2 people to
lift.
5.2 Tim is waiting for parts for a couple of mowers.
5.3 For the past 12 months there has been no machinery manager. Mike was pleased to announce that
Chris and Alan will now share the role.
6 Shop finances covered in financial matters
6.1 Fewer people now come to site to pay rent due to online payments. This has affected shop sales which
are down. A discussion took place about how people could be encouraged to use the shop more. It
was suggested that people could be asked to come to the site to re-sign the terms and conditions.
6.2 Suggestion that we advertise what is on sale in the shop and include prices as they are competitive.
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6.3 Suggestion that we investigate other seed suppliers who may offer a more competitive price.
7 Communications
7.1 There appears to be a problem with undelivered emails. People need to update their email details
when they renew their rent. Problem with some BT email addresses – some reported ‘undeliverable’.
8 Awards
10.1 No updates
9 AOB
9.1 AGM - 23rd May 8pm. Details will be discussed at next meeting when Roger returns.
9.2 Manure - Jane will pass on number of farmer at Cross Farm to enable site reps to make own
arrangements.
9.3 Cross Lane has had 2 deliveries of woodchip from tree surgeons who were working nearby.
9.4 Lin’s funeral will be on 23rd March - 12.00 at Westfield Cemetery and then at Bennetts (previously
British Legion). Colin has asked for donations to be made to Rennie Grove rather than people sending
flowers. Likely to have representatives from the council. Colin would be happy for a memorial bench.
Mike provided details /prices of benches. Agreed that plot holders would be likely to want to contribute.
Bench could be mainly for Lin but other names could be included. Benches available from ‘Memorial
Benches’. Collection could be made via the shop – Mike to put information in newsletter.
9.5 Jane and Marcia will work together to publicise allotments to try to encourage more people to take a
plot. There will be a general mention about allotments in the next Harpenden Forum
Meeting closed at 8.35

Date of next meeting – 11th April 2018