| 1 | Welcome and Apologies Nigel Duckers – Minutes Secretary Tony Emerson William Palau – Treasurer Stephanie Charalambous – Co-Chair David Jones Robbie Bulloch Indigo Wildgoose Bulloch Evan Lerwill – Co-Chair Melody Everett Apologies Andreas Kappes Amy Roe Dino Skeate |
| 2 | Minutes of the Previous Meeting The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed to be a true and accurate record. |
| 3 | Chair’s Report There had been a recent Partnership Meeting… Floodlighting: LC have expressed an intention to light the central avenue and are looking into the matter.Depot Building: LC are willing to let the Friends share it (currently they use it as a mess room and toilet facility) and are going to fix it up. This should also mean there will be a serving hatch onto the park. Court Fees: LC are considering a cheaper rate for community use. SE-corner Gate: planned.Muddy area around trees, near playground: LC estimate that this will cost around £15k to do with tiger mulch. Mered has suggested they could possibly make this more economical by combining with another park using similar material. Park Closing: LC have extended the experiment with not locking the park for another 9 months. So far there has been little obvious impact; possibly some more fly-tipping.Tennis Courts: are due a respray in the coming financial year, it is hoped that fixed bins and more benches will be provided, particularly on courts 3 and 4. |
| 4 | Volunteering Tom, David, Robbie and Indigo reported back on volunteer activity in the Nature Garden and, more recently, the park. The pond area in the NG has been cleared and some fencing removed to make the NG more open and welcoming. There has been weeding around the trees in HG. The volunteer groups is around 6-10 people which Tom considered about right to be manageable, allocate task and to provide opportunities for two students doing the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. Good Gym have occasionally supported and may return on a weekday evening during Summer-Time. There was some discussion around equipment and facilities in the NG. The eco toilet is currently out of action and this will be reported to LC. The volunteers now have access to the container which has most tools required. Gerry McAteer has complained to the council about missing wood and other items. The Friends agreed unanimously that it was time to drop this matter and move on. SC suggested we spend some money on gloves and secateurs for the volunteers and it was agreed to do so up to a value of £150. |
| 5 | Comms and Mural Andreas had given his apologies. He has a key to the noticeboards. These have been damaged and this will be reported to LC. The new website is still a work in progress. Voting has been taken place on the mural – oddly open to all LC residents – with 456 votes so far. The closing date for votes is 16th February. The mural should be done by mid-April. |
| 6 | Allotments It is a quiet part of the growing season. Some sleepers have been acquired. LC are going to serve notice on a neighbour whose fence is falling down into the allotments. Mered may bring forward suggestions in regard to an appropriate financial structure for the group. |
| 7 | Treasurer’s Report William reported that the balance of 27th November was £4882. There had been around a £100 outlay for room hire and a rebate to an allotment holder. Previously separate funds have been merged (excluding the allotment fund, standing at £1250). |
| 8 | Priorities There was a broad discussion on how we see our priorities. Benches and bins, floodlighting and volunteering were agreed; as well as activities at Halloween and Sports Day. Tom suggested a weather station and this was generally supported; Steph volunteered to see if it could be linked to British Science Week. Tom also suggested further community composting. It was agreed that we could volunteer to paint the railings, in liaison with LC. Steph also agreed to approach Streatham Free Film Festival about another screening in the park, possibly a Saturday in September. Sports Day: was set for Saturday 18th May, with an organising meeting on 25th March. Tony, Tom, Evan, Steph agreed to be involved, with Tony convening.Halloween: was set for Sunday 27th October. |
| 9 | Meeting Dates (2024) 22nd April 15th July 23rd September 18th November AGM |
Minutes from Friends Meeting on 29 January
Friends of Hillside Gardens And Palace Road Nature Garden 