EASTINGTON COMMUNITY ORCHARDS GROUP

 

Committee Meeting Notes, 28th May 2014, 8pm, The Badger

 

 

1. Present: Tom Low (Chair); Gloria Morris, Kevin Dalby; Nick Middleditch; Tim Potts; Mary Gribble

    Apologies: Stephen Gribble, Debbie Cunningham

 

 

2. Cider making: Nick gave a report

·        The Badger requested a supply of cider after a recent sampling.

·        Nick is meeting Environmental Health officer from SDC next week. They have said that as the William Morris House kitchen is certificated, the apples for cider could be pressed there. The bottling could also be done there, with the fermentation taking place off the WMH premises.

·        Committee shared concern about bottling alcohol on WMH premises, and preferred this to be done at another already certificated premises (Tom’s, Tim’s and OHMG suggested).

·        Costs of barrels: £12.50 each, 220litre (this supplier will also supply smaller containers

·        Apple donations: suggested distributing sacks to donors; repayment in kind to be made.

·        Mixed apples have proved to make a better cider than single-source.

·         

Tim has been considering the costs of building cider-making equipment. He will work on a plan for consideration at the AGM.

 

3. Wildflower meadow / biodiversity:

Nick gave a comprehensive report following his recent meeting with Ellen from the Wildlife Trust. This includes suggestions to:

·        Leave grass to grow into a hay meadow, cutting for hay in July/August (Daniel James’ reciprocating blade machine will be right for this job)

·        Plough strips of land for wild flower sowing each year

·        Collect green hay from roundabout site for orchard seed dispersal

·        Create noticeboard for updates / information to public

·        Mow labyrinth in school grass areas

·        Install shaded seating area

·        Create wood pile for beetle larvae

·        Introduce yellow rattle seet to ploughed strips to reduce sward year on year

·        Social networking site to increase awareness

·        ‘Grow Wild’ campaign will issue a wildflower community pack

·        Primary school projects including labyrinth design, bee house making, wood pile creation, species ID day, bug hunt

Tom suggested that a seed budget is created; wildflower seed packs are available at about £8 - £9. Strips could be planted along the paths and around seating areas to make the areas look inviting.

 

4. Second Orchard: No news - no response to our emails

 

 

5. Accounts:

·        Gloria confirmed there is £5444.62 in the bank. £5000 of this is the money from the Parish Council earmarked for the second orchard.

·        Gloria would like to repay the loan from the Charlie Bullock Fund (£500). To be discussed at AGM.

·        Selling apple juice at the Shambles Market to be stopped. It has proved a lot of time and effort, other sales areas have been more effective.

·        Apple juice sales were £1551.40

·        Kings Stanley market are looking for a local apple juice supplier: Kevin will follow this up

 

 

6. Orchard Warden’s Report: Kevin gave an update / future plans

·        54 trees have been planted (list and map circulated), 19 of these at the first working party this year.

·        Some trees have been restricted in growth/damaged by the posts and cages. The posts/cages are being reduced in height to allow lower branch growth.

·        Blackcurrant cage need repairs. Roof to be rolled out.

·        John Morris had provided decking boards for the cages. To be put in place by Tom and John next week.

·        Weed-killing around the fruit / trees was agreed. John is investigating options for weed membrane.

·        Paths to be strimmed to the trees

·        Fence replacement is almost completed; some nettles remain to be tackled

·        Chicken wire to be nailed to the decking by the shed as this is very slippery

 

 

7. Name of orchard: Tom has looked at the 1839 map of Churchend, and found the area was called ‘Coneygre’. This is from the French for rabbits – rabbits having been introduced as a food source and warrens / mounds created for them in Churchend. The committee agreed, that as the name for the Community Orchard movement in Eastington would remain ‘Eastington Community Orchards’ then re-naming the first orchard to reflect its history would be fitting. To be discussed at the AGM.

 

Noticeboards for the orchard need updating and new noticeboards needed. Tim suggested that Vital Signs – they produce durable, cheap, noticeboards. Artwork will be needed.

 

 

Date for the AGM agreed: 25th June, 8pm at the Badger. Ellen from the Wildlife Trust to be invited to speak.