AGM 2014

 

Minutes

 

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 17th February 2014 at 7pm

 

1 Apologies: Annie & Mike Inman, Gaynor Shaw, Pauline & Peter Hamilton-Legget, Malcolm & Jean Edwards, Dair Henderson, Chris Gibson, Pru Cooper, Janet Moore, Mary Turpin.

 

2 Minutes of 2012 were read and signed by Chairman Brenda Burt as a true record.

 

3 Matters Arising: Brenda omitted to report the deaths of Margaret Chappell and Douglas Henderson. There had been no contact with Maristow Garden regarding the apple trees. Martin Burt and Mike Inman had agreed to be representatives of the Meavy Parish Hall on behalf of the Meavy Garden Society.

 

4 Chairman's Report: The Society had an excellent year: Thank goodness we had a better summer. I wonder what this year has in store for us, if it ever stops raining. Annie provided us with a good range of speakers, although our September speaker let us down and we were grateful to Andrew Young who stepped in at short notice to give us an excellent talk on Plymouth's Trees.

Our two shows were again enjoyed by everyone and Nick Hawarth, Head Gardener of The Garden House, was impressed with the quality of the Spring Show exhibits. The Summer Show had entries in all classes, not quite so many visitors, but good entries of decorated flower pots from the children of Meavy School; sadly, none visited the show, so I made a presentation of prizes at the school in September.

The Outing to Bickham Gardens was very good and much enjoyed, as was Lukesland in October by the few who went but there was little Autumn colour. The social evening at Doris Potter's was enjoyed by all who attended.

Rob Wilson and Joice Reith made a donation after their plant sale. A visit to Champernowne Nursery was enjoyed and the plants at good prices purchased. A plant stall at Meavy Oak Fair manned by Kay and Janet brought thanks from the Fair Committee, together with a donation of £100 to be used to purchase advertising banners.

Thanks to our hard working committee, particularly Janet - Outings, Annie - Speakers, Kay - Minutes and David for managing the shows.

Brenda regretted to report the deaths of Ruth Jukes and Betty Ashton, both long serving supporters of the Meavy Garden Society. On a happier note, the snowdrops planted along the path to St Peter's Church were looking lovely.

 

5 Treasurer's Report: Martin was pleased to thank Denis Walker for once again confirming his arithmetic. 2013 was a routine year with a small increase in membership. The Summer Show receipts were good but the cost for the children's prizes and an increase in the engraving of trophies reduced the surplus. Costs for the speakers, their travel, and for the hire of the Meavy Parish Hall were normal, and David hopes to use a different engraver this year. Donations were made in memory of Margaret Chappell and Douglas Henderson. The overall surplus was £39 but would have been a deficit without the generous donations received. There remains £578 in the bank and 2014 results are expected to be similar. The adoption of the report was proposed by Mary Helby and seconded by Kirsty Winter.

Publicity: Most of the local magazines now mention the Meavy Garden Society and there were nine reports in the Tavistock Times Gazette.

 

6a Cyril Sparey spoke on behalf of the members to express thanks to Martin and Brenda for all their hard work.

 

6b Election of the Committee: All existing committee members are willing to continue to stand. Michael Ashton and Lis Mawhinney agreed to join the committee. Election of the committee en bloc was proposed by David Winter and seconded by Mary Boon.

 

7 The Year Ahead and Outings: The Spring Fun Show will be held on March 17th 2014. The schedule is on the back of the News Letter. Peter Argles from Champernowne has agreed to be judge for the show. Donations of raffle prizes will be very much appreciated. The Social Evening will be on Wednesday 21st May at jean and Malcolm Edward's house, Albedo in Burrator Road. Outings arranged are on Wednesday 14th May by car, to Andrew's Corner at Belstone and Wednesday 10th September to Pine Lodge St Austell by coach. Note that April's meeting will be held on Monday 7th which is early due to the fact that the hall is being used by other groups. The Summer Show will be on Saturday 9th August. The Meavy Oak Fair will be on Saturday 21st June.

 

8 AOB: Vice President Joyce Williams had been in contact and said that she is unable to attend evening events following her recent move to Tavistock but she would still like to attend day time events. She wishes the Garden Society well and will continue with her membership. She has given the Society a donation.

St Peter's Flower Festival is on 11th, 12th and 13th July. Ros Tall has requested donations of Oak seedlings.

GROW (Grass Roots Of Walkhampton) are holding a Curry Night and Quiz on Monday 24th February. Doris Potter's health has deteriorated. Brenda has been in touch with her and will continue to do so. AGM concluded with Joice Reith and Stephen Pine giving members a very enlightening talk on "Nasty Prickly Things".

 

 

Additional Notes of the MGS AGM held on 17th February 2014

 

At the Annual Meeting in February, Chairman Brenda Burt reported another successful year with a better summer. 

Besides a good variety of speakers, Nick Haworth, head gardener at The Garden House, was impressed with the quality of the Spring Show exhibits.  The Summer Show had entries in all classes including excellent decorated flowerpots by the children of Meavy School, and outings to Bickham Gardens and to Lukesland were enjoyed. 

A visit to Champernowne Nursery saw plants purchased at good prices and a plant stall at Meavy Oak Fair brought thanks from the fair committee.  The snowdrops and crocus planted along the path to St Peter's Church were looking lovely.

Treasurer Martin Burt confirmed that finances were stable so that membership fees will remain the same; also, most local magazines now mention the Society.  President Cyril Sparey expressed members thanks to all the committee for its hard work.  As everyone was willing to continue, they were re-elected with the addition of two new recruits.  Outings arranged are; Wednesday May 14 by car, to Andrew's Corner at Belstone, and Wednesday September 10 to Pinetum Park & Pine Lodge, St Austell, by coach.

After the annual meeting, society members, Joice Reith and Stephen Pine, gave a talk on Succulents and Cacti entitled “Nasty Prickly Things?”, as they tried to show how fascinating and varied the plants were and dispel some of the myths surrounding them.

Joice began by describing how deserts began to spread millions of years ago in some latitudes; plants then responded by becoming succulent, with skins thickened to protect the moisture inside, while leaves either became succulent or often were discarded altogether.  This occurred particularly in Africa and also America, with the development of Aloes, living stones and Euphorbias.  The family of the Cacti were native only to America but have been introduced to many hot, dry countries.  She continued with a selection of slides showing the stunning displays of flowers that many plants produce, even when quite small, often completely covering the plant.

Stephen concentrated on cactus spines, showing living plants to demonstrate the variations.  Many species were  grown for their magnificent spines, which with their great variety of forms and colours are in fact one of the most appealing features.  They rose from areoles, small hairy cushions developed from leaves, and clearly protect the plants from predators, large and small, but also had more varied uses. 

White spines reflected the heat away from the skin of the plant, a mass of spines, hair or wool shaded it from the sun, camouflaged the plant from predators and would condense dew and mists to lead drops of moisture to the roots. 

Joice and Stephen finished by giving some brief horticultural tips.  Rather than a commercial cacti compost; a mixture of equal parts John Innes Number Two, a general purpose compost, and horticultural grit should be used.  In the growing season, plants need to be watered and fed regularly with a tomato type fertiliser.  In winter, desert cacti should not be watered at all, but kept frost-free and relatively cool, say about 7°C.  The talk was highly appreciated by the members, with many questions.