London Allotments Network
Connecting all allotment communities in Greater London
Acting Chairmans Report,
AGM 2008
This is my first report as Chair of Ealing Allotment Partnership (EAP) having joined the EAP Executive Committee at the last AGM principally to edit the Newsletters. However following the absence and subsequent resignation of the Chair I was asked by the other committee members to take on the role of Acting Chair.
Firstly, I would like to thank all those EAP committee members who have supported the various projects and initiatives during the year and given of their time so generously, in particular my fellow officers Angela Richardson and Dominque Van Dooren.
Having adopted a new constitution in January 2007, the committee has been busy working towards its objects. Firstly we have implemented the fundraising strategy developed by our Treasurer, which has involved bidding to a number of Trusts and organisations for funds to increase our income and subsequent activity. This has resulted in a number of small donations from local retailers to support the Apple Day in September and more importantly a large donation of £1000 from Grange Farm Centre Trust towards the production of a Special Spring 2008 Newsletter which will be distributed with the aim of promoting allotments more widely. Further bids for funds are currently pending and we hope that success with these will allow the Partnership to run educational and fun events in 2008.
The Partnership carried out a distribution of Green Manure Seeds in the Autumn to a great many of the plot holders in the borough. Members of the committee spent many happy hours bagging up the 70kg of Clover and Phacelia seeds and ensuring they were delivered to site managers. We look forward to seeing the results in the Spring.
Our main event of the season was English Apple Day, a celebration and promotion of English apples which took place on 29th September at Blondin Orchard. We were blessed with a fine day, and help from the Borough parks team to set up our gazebo. Six members of the committee supported by volunteers set out their stalls with all things 'appley' Different varieties of apples were donated by local supermarkets Waitrose, Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's, and partnership members also brought along a selection of apples, so that between us we managed samples of eight different varieties. Our Hon Secretary wielded the juicer and fresh apple juice was provided to go with the many delicious cakes and tarts provided by committee members. Together with a bric-a-brac stall, fun and games with Apple bobbing, plant and book sales we netted a modest £135 towards our funds.
I am happy to report that we have issued two EAP newsletters during this year in the Summer and Autumn. The EAP is grateful to Ealing Borough Council and in particular Steve Cole, for both financial and artistic assistance towards the printing and distribution of the newsletters.
Unfortunately our efforts to get the EAP Website up and running have so far proved unsuccessful due to both technical difficulties and change of officers. This will be one of our priorities for 2008.
In conclusion, this year has been one of consolidation and we hope to increase both our funds and activity in 2008. Thanks again to all those who have supported the partnership this year especially our willing helpers doing the refreshments this evening. We do need more people to be involved so I do hope you will volunteer this evening if you are able to help.
Jane Hodgkinson
