August 2026 Committee Update
Grove Allotment Association committee meeting Thursday 27th August
Minutes will be approved at next meeting. This is a summary of the main issues dealt with:
We again welcomed three of our Networkers attending – Heather, Linda and Michaela.
• Minutes of previous meeting and summary notice – we approved the minutes of the meeting held on 30th July.
• National Allotments Week and Our Events – a very successful weekend with a hugely generous food effort by members. Details and thanks on WhatsApp and our website.
• Finance
• After paying accountant fees, water charges, locksmith costs, funding the bar for the summer party and receiving payments for plots our balance at 27th August was £5422.70.
• We noted the bar stock that we will carry over to the next clear up event in October and the social at the AGM in November.
• Mains Water – We continue to monitor our water use and noted that at 24th August we had used a total of 207m3 (207,000 litres) at a cost of £643.47. We discussed the estimate for mains water use to mid November. Based on a post meeting analysis of our average consumption September – mid November 2025, we might expect we will have used 283m3 at a total cost of £710 by the time the mains water supply is switched off.
• AGM Date and Social Event
• We agreed the AGM will be held on Saturday 28th November at the Eagle Club and noted the voting on the WhatsApp poll overwhelmingly supported the Saturday option.
• Meeting time will be 11,00 -13,00.
• Social event with food provided will be from 13.30 – 16,00.
• Review of General Rules – we agreed to deal with the revision/updating of our rules as a registered co-operative society at the September Committee meeting. This will allow plenty of time for any proposed changes to be published ahead of decision at the AGM.
• Chesterfield Allotment Network Water Resilience Programme Funding – we discussed and agreed the outline plan to enhance rain water harvesting and storage.
This will involve an investment of £1940 with a bid for £970/50% from CAN funding.
• Upper Site Compost Toilet – we agreed that following the major reclaim cleaning carried out by Alys and Andy, the toilet will be made available to members on a request basis with members agreeing to contribute to the maintenance and cleaning. (The lower site compost toilet requires a similar reclaim clean and decision about future access).
• Autumn Clear Up Event – will be Saturday 10th October 10-4 with a BBQ 4-6.
• Plotter of the Month – is Tony Smith, 124a for variety of planting and well managed plot.
• Photo Competition – Heather Wakefield bee on a sunflower was this month’s winner.
• Transition Chesterfield Events – we agreed to promote Abundance Project fruit picking and pressing and Potato Day 2027.
• Kings Seed Catalogue – and order forms available at AGM or collect from Alys directly.
Our next committee meeting will be held on Thursday 24th September
Grove Allotment Association Ltd is a co-operative society registered with the Financial Conduct Authority