Present and Apologies (see the end of the post)
| Welcome and Apologies The Chairs welcomed attendees and introductions were made. | |
| 1 | Minutes of the Previous Meeting The Minutes of the previous meeting were agreed to be a true and accurate record. |
| 2 | Chair’s Report – see Co Chair’s Report See Report for Film Festival, Saturday morning gardening and pond. Re pond: we need a warning sign because of the dangers of water. Tom will ask Meredydd for one, if it is not available we will provide. Christine will send the risk assessment to Meredydd before the next Partnership Board. Depot: Lambeth have refurbished the Depot and confirmed that they have no plans to use it for their own workers. Andreas and Tom in particular have drawn up a presentation for a community café; an idea that could be scaled up or down depending on funding. Andreas has distributed a survey to gauge what the community would like. So far 107 people have responded. There was discussion of the need for a food licence and also how to obtain change of use for the building. Steph will ask Liz Atkins for advice on this and on leasing the space for a peppercorn rent; also Helen Firninghal re grants. Rosena, Tom and Andreas will continue to explore ideas for use and funding. Martin suggested linking to The Hive who have experience and trainees in their café. Dino suggested the internal space could be open and mentioned a contact who is a local architect who has offered to help with design plans for free; he will link-in to the working group. At the next Sports Day we will try to obtain a food licence, which will allow us to understand the system better. We also hope to have food items at next year’s film screening. |
| 3 | Saturday Morning Gardening – see report Nick reported on the pond: this is now being colonised by mosquito larvae and wildflowers. There is some work to be one on the surrounding landscaping. We are meeting up with Frog Life to discuss including the pond in their Blue Chain project; this would help us with maintenance going forward. Tom reported that Paul Smith had said he would provide a schedule of weekly maintenance so that the Saturday group can coordinate; he has not yet done so and Tom will chase. Rosena asked if the schedule would cover tennis court weeding. Steph said that fell to the Sport Department who are due to do it annually. We have now got three batteries for the leaf blower. |
| 4 | Allotment – see report There are already links with a local foodbank and refugee project; there was discussion as to whether there should be a community growing area. Saturday/Sunday growing groups would welcome growers from low-income groups and we would be keen to offer advice and education. There is little uptake when we advertise such events on our website. Dino offered to increase traffic via a link to Serious about Tennis and Andreas will look into this. Evan will clarify how we can use the One O’clock club’s growing area with them. We agreed to finance a second storage space for sports and other equipment for the Friends to free up space in the allotment group shed. |
| 5 | General Maintenance LC plan to replace the Perspex in the noticeboards; also two broken benches; they have a graffiti-removal product which for health and safety reasons they will need to use to clean up the mural. Steph will contact local schools about littering in the park. |
| 6 | Halloween After some debate it was agreed that the Halloween event will be on 27th snf will have a similar format to previous years, including a dog show. Rosena, Evan (who will be away on the day), Melodie, Steph, Andreas will plan. |
| 7 | Meeting Dates (2024) 18th November AGM |
Attendance:
Present
Nigel Duckers – Minutes Secretary
Evan Lerwill – Co-chair
Stephanie Charalambous – Co-Chair
Marcia Clarke
Christine Mukasa
Nick Peacock
Dino Skeate
Rosena Skeate
Aya Skeate
Andreas Kappes
Tom Stanbury
Martin Goffe
Robert Doyle
Julia Biel
Eleanor Clough-Delaney
Apologies
Melodie Everett
William Palau – Treasurer
Tony Emerson
Amy Roe
Friends of Hillside Gardens And Palace Road Nature Garden 