Notes on committee meeting held on Thursday 14th October 2010 in the pub.

Debbie, Marcus, Roger, Mary and David. The head teacher from Shepton school, Karen Brooker, joined us for part of the meeting.

Since our last meeting the contractor has completed most of the pathways, the benches have been installed, the seating area reseeded.

The position of apple trees has been partially marked, but the marker sticks have been removed. The positions will be set out at the next work party, a circle of 1 metre diameter will be sprayed with weedkiller. This should ensure the locations are not confused again. Debbie is to contact the provider, and confirm date for delivery, and also if stakes, ties, guards are to be provided or not. We expect the trees to be delivered by mid December, and hope to have a planting day on Saturday 11th December— or thereabout. The trees will be bare rooted and need to be planted at once (dependant on weather conditions). We will need volunteers to help with this. More information will be provided nearer the time. Debbie will send a notice for inclusion in the Web, to reach as many locals as possible.

The revised work plan was discussed, and the new format deemed acceptable to us. Mary to send it to Nick Routh, at Wessex Water. It was decided that as a sensory garden was a very labour intensive undertaking, we would reconsider work on that when the basic planting had been completed.

There will be a lot of routine maintenance, and we do not have many active volunteers at present.

Order for shrubs and trees from Thornhayes. Our tentative order is still active and will need to be confirmed soon. The landscape architect has checked our list to see this is a reasonable number of items, and the proposed planting distances are suitable. These will be available December/January time, and planted by the contractor.

Ian Mobbs has offered trees from Western Power, but it does not appear possible to contact him.

Recently there has been some damage to the site, the notice board knocked over, new benches disturbed etc. The police have been informed, and will call from time to time, There are funds for a new notice board, which will have to be carefully chosen and installed.

The school and the playgroup will each have a growing plot in the seating area. It is intended that these will be raised beds, approximately 1 metre by 3 metres and 22cms high. They will be filled with fresh soil and will be installed in the new year. The playgroup will be asked to plant their crocuses near the primrose plants, as an interim measure

We are still finding dog poo a nuisance on the site, especially as it has to be cleared from paths before mowing can take place. It is hope the school children will be able to use their artistic skills to draw attention to dog owners responsibilities, and Ian Hawkins has kindly offered to copy, print and laminate their work for display on the site.

The wildflower seeds purchased from Emorsgate seeds were distributed, and we hope to have a nucleus of plants by springtime. Dates for your diary

Sunday 24th October work party 10am onwards. Tasks:- mark orchard, spray. Scythe long grass in woodland area, and rake off grass.
Sunday 28th November work party 10am onwards. Tasks:- clear marked patches of weed and stones and dig preliminary holes for apple tree planting.
Thursday 25th November AGM 7.30pm in pub. Send agenda items to Mary.

We need new committee members, as several members have moved away from the area. Mid December—apple tree planting—come and join in the fun.
Mary H Clarke 17th October 2010