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MINUTES
of the committee meeting held at
79 Queens Road, Hersham
on 24th January 2012
Present:
Sue Hazeldine;Gwen Rasberry; Les Sharp; Mary Sheldon; Mike Whyman
1) Apologies for Absence
Jenny Richardson
2) Minutes of the Meeting Held on Tue. 29th November 2011
The minutes of the meeting on 29th November 2011 were accepted as correct.
3) Matters Arising
Jenny emailed to say there was no news on the Barley Mow roundabout but she will let us know as soon as she hears
Mary said all who had attended enjoyed the Christmas get-together, Sue said she was sorry they had not been able to make it,
She was also sorry she had missed the wallflowers from Squires, she had been away and when she came back they had gone. She was told not to worry.
Andy has said the water is available under Green ready for connection; he is waiting for a site meeting. Mike will contact Andy to arrange.
Sue then asked about the barrels in New Berry Lane, Mary said there was a problem with getting them moved. Mike said if a work party is arranged others will come along
4) Co-ordinator's Report
Mary said she had nothing to report
5) Treasurer's Report
Mike reported there is still £3,503.55 at the bank but this includes money for troughs which have not been bought yet.
Gwen said it takes some time to get cheques for money she has spent, Mike said he would speed it up.
Item 7 was taken before Item 6
7) Election of Officers
Mary said she would be happy to continue as co-ordinator if that is what people wanted. Gwen said Mary and her contacts are very important and it was agreed unanimously to re-appoint Mary.
Mary said Mike had made her job easier by arranging the Christmas get-together, the water rota, etc.
Sue then proposed Mike as Treasurer and Les as Secretary, Gwen seconded and it was passed unanimously.
6) The Future of Hersham in Bloom
At the previous meeting it was agreed that we would not enter the competition this year but there was still time to change our mind.
Mary said there are three options; to enter the competition, to carry on but not enter the competition or to disband.
Gwen thought we should carry on and but not compete, Sue agreed but thought it a shame if we did not enter this special year, Mary agreed too.
After some discussion it was agreed to endorse the decision made at the last meeting, not to enter the competition but to carry on with the floral displays.
8) Plans for 2012
Having decided to continue the plans were discussed. Gwen asked whether we would have a launch but the general view was that despite the efforts in previous years no additional volunteers had come forward.
The following plan of campaign was agreed:
Mike said he would go round and count the barrels and their positions.
A work party has been arranged for Saturday 11th Feb. at 9.00 am to move the barrels.
Sue suggested the Olympic displays could be on the roads and those for the Jubilee on the Green. As different colours were required for the two events it would not be practical for HinB to completely change the plants between the two. It was agreed that for the Jubilee a display would be made centred on the Hersham village sign and the bed underneath it.
The Olympic colours would be used for the barrels, containers and tree seats. Gwen and Sue to choose the plants and the arrangements. They are also to contact Audrey to see whether she would join them in the discussions then they would contact some nurseries to discuss availability and prices. The plants need to be delivered the third week in May.
We need to know what EBC will be doing, including what they will be putting in the troughs on the Green, Mary will check with Jennie
Mike suggested that we could do something in Hersham North but it was thought with present resources it would be beyond us. Mary said EBC was looking at the situation in Molesey Close but it is complicated.
The barrels in the shrubbery beside the road into Centre car park to be removed, given to the shop in Fieldcommon and replaced by a shrub, senecio was suggested.
The four troughs covered by the grant from SCC to be ordered then placed on the railings round the Green, two either side of the EBC troughs. It will also be necessary to order plants and compost to fill them.
Gwen thought we should plant some more pansies under the Hersham sign and other areas that look sparse. She also thought the heucharas in the tree seats didn’t look nice and should be replaced.
One or two more barrels placed outside the tile shop in Molesey Road to give more impact.
Mary said the Hersham sign on Esher Road had been bent and needs straightening, John had tried but perhaps someone like Andy would be able to do it.
Gwen said the shopkeepers are not interested in watering the barrels, Mike said we can't force them to do it.
Mary said the big space in front of Hersham Hardware could be a lot nicer, especially the square planter by the bus stop. Mike thought we could act as a pressure group to try to get something done, taking the top off and making it lower was one suggestion.
Check with Audrey if she and WI will continue to look after the tree seat in Thrupps Lane, Betty has already said she will look after the barrels outside the Day Centre.
Mary’s next suggestion was to try to get the shops by the Barley Mow roundabout and along Molesey Road to put up some decorations, perhaps flags in flag poles attached to walls, they could be used for other occasions. She will check on regulations for this. A best-dressed window competition is another idea.
Finally it was thought the barrel on the Westcar/Queens Road roundabout looks lonely, Les suggested one or more extra barrels be added. It was agreed to check with Iwona to see whether she has any ideas.
9) Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
Wed. 7th March at Mike's again, 7.00 pm (M.B. This has subsequently been changed to Monday 5th. March)
10) Any Other Business
Mike said the cost of the website had gone up again and so, as had been agreed at an earlier meeting, we would not continue with it. A possibility is linking in with the EBC site but we would still have to pay for the domain name. Mike also said that very few people looked at the Hersham Residents’ Association site. Twitter or Facebook are other alternatives.
Mary proposed a jolly good thank you to Mike for all the cakes and the hospitality.
MINUTES
of the committee meeting held at
22 Green Lane – Hersham
on Tuesday 29th November 2011
Present:-
Andy Pinnick; Anne Rands; Colin Rands; Gwen Rasberry; Mary Sheldon; Les Sharp; Mike Whyman
1) Apologies for Absence
Colin Flexman; Betty Gosling; Iwona Januszajtis Neale; Sue Hazeldine; Jennie Richardson; Audrey Seymour
2) Minutes of the Meeting on Wed. 9th November 2011
The minutes of the meeting on 9th November were accepted as correct.
3) Matters Arising
Gwen asked how much was donated to the air ambulance in Mike Wallington's name, the treasurer said it was £50 and receipt has been acknowledged.
Iwona had sent a email saying she had planted two barrels in Molesey Road and would do the third by the hairdressers. She has some yellow blotch pansies left and will put them in the barrel by the post office if it needs them.
Jenny also sent an email thanking everyone for the brilliant turn out at the bulb planting and she is hoping to do a press release. She has the ideas for the legacy planting on the Barley Mow roundabout and is awaiting for a final decision from the council on funding. She will let us know when she has news.
4) Co-ordinator’s Report
Mary asked whether anyone was aware of what is happening in Hersham Centre in the run-up to Christmas and handed round a leaflet that the shopkeepers had prepared.
The lights will be switched on this Saturday 3rd December, that day and the two following Saturdays there will be stalls and entertainment in the Centre, with free food and drink provided by Waitrose.
Mike had been approached by Hersham Residents Association to see whether HinB would share a stall with it from 10.00 – 16.00 each day. Mary asked what would we do and after some discussion a vote was taken and all agreed that we wouldn't.
Mary also reported Cobham had won the competition to be QEII Playing Field and the Diamond Jubilee party would be held there.
5) Treasurer’s Report
Mike reported nothing significant had happened recently, he had just issued two cheques totalling £48, that should be deducted from the figure given at the meeting on 25th Oct. In his rush to get to this meeting half an hour early he had forgotten to bring the current figure.
Mary said that Sue had bought some more plants for the empty barrels.
6) Plans for 2012
A discussion took place on whether HinB should enter the S&SE in Bloom competition next year. One view was that as the council would be doing more it would be easier but Colin said it was the projects that are the problem, involving schools, etc. Anne said it was a lot of work for a certificate.
A vote was taken, Betty had emailed that she would vote against, by a majority of five to two with one undecided it was decided not to. If members alter their minds entry forms do not have to be sent in until the Spring.
It was agreed unanimously that the group should continue even though it was not entering the competition.
Mary said EBC was looking at plans for 2012 and the Olympic legacy, among those likely to be approved are banners and street dressing along the routes of the cycle road races and time trials.
Key roundabouts, including Barley Mow, to be planted. Permanent markers to be placed along the routes, village gateways to be repaired and enhanced, sculptures along the way, welcome to Elmbridge signs, community planting in parks and on verges and outdoor table tennis tables.
Among those ideas put forward that are unlikely to be progressed are volleyball courts, tree planting along Hampton Court Way and railway bridge art
Gwen said Sue had suggested we have three barrels by Absolute Ceramics in Molesey Road instead of one but after some discussion and a vote it was decided not to.
Mary raised the question of the barrels that had been emptied and put behind the covert planting, should we dispose of them? The answer was yes, Anne and Colin would like one and two could go to the Fieldcommon shop if they collect.
Gwen asked do we need those by the the sign in road to Waitrose. Here the answer was no, turn them upside down and spread the soil, they can be taken away later.
Mary said the two barrels on the corner of New Berry Lane and Pleasant Place should be moved to Hersham House but they won't be planted until the Spring. She also said there are still some bulbs to be planted on the Green by Faulkners Road, she would see whether Burleys can finish the job.
7) Winter Planting
Gwen said we need to plant the five bins in Hersham Centre, Mary said this should be done before the lights were officially switched on so a work party was arranged for 09.00 on Friday. Gwen will buy six trays of pansies (36 plants) in time for the planting. Squires has a special offer of three trays of six for £10 but Gwen should be able to get a 10% discount.
Anne asked where the are wallflowers going, Mike said in the barrels where there are no pansies. He then asked about the barrel by the tyre shop, it has now been moved. Mary asked about the mini-mart barrel, this has now been planted with pansies.
Gwen is clearing the barrels on the plinth and they will not be replanted for the winter.
Mary asked whether we should buy the troughs for railings, we will have to account for the money to SCC at some time. Mike suggested we wait to see what EBC will be doing, if they are putting more around the Green we could possibly buy something else
Gwen asked what should we do with bikes that she has now that EBC has taken up the idea of putting one at each entrance to the Barley Mow roundabout. Mary said we could possibly put them on Lower Green (next to the library) as that is bare at the moment.
8) Christmas Get Together?
In view of the time it was agreed to make it a New Year get-together, probably at the San Marco in Queens Road in the second week January. About 14 people are expected.
9) Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
Tues 24th January at 7.30 in Mike's house, 79 Queens Road.
10) Any Other Business
Gwen said Sue has some lavender plants she has grown and they could be put in Laithwaites barrels, they are quite resilient. Mary will tell Ian Lowe
Gwen asked is everyone happy with the water rota and all those present were.
Andy reported on the water project, he said there is a now water supply under footpath and he is arranging for a connection to be made for HinB. He has a green bollard that can be opened and the tap will be inside. It will be located near the telephone box close to the railings. Andy has already received permission from the council for where it is to be sited.
The bollard is made from vandal proof plastic and will be set three feet into the ground with about the same above ground. There will be a stop valve in pavement that can be turned off if necessary. He will first need to check the height of the tap from the ground so that watering cans and bowser can be filled then it can be finished. Andy will speak to a plumber regarding connection to the water supply.
There was some concern that the HinB plaque would invite vandalism. There was also a discussion on whether the tap should face the Queens Road or the Green, Andy suggested that when it is ready for fitting there is a site meeting so that everyone can have a better view of how it will be.
The budget of around £100.00 was set, £29.00 for HinB roundel has already been spent.
Everyone thanked Gloria for her hospitality.
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