Dan, Denise and David Walker
Actions from last meeting
Please note that copies of the minutes from all of the meetings are kept in a folder in the ‘office’ at Grozone. Please feel free to have a read.
A subcommittee for the new planting area have agreed a design plan. If you have any further suggestions, please let Pete or Fiona know ASAP.
A subcommittee to look at extra responsibilities for volunteers came up with a list of regular tasks that it would be great to have regular help with: Kelly kettles, chopping firewood/kindling, tools maintenance, recycling (sorting), composting (layering and turning), giving guided tours, toilet checks (sweeping floor and checking supplies of hand gel and paper), watering (greenhouse plants, and beds in summer) and taking photos for the website.
Grozone mantra – we feel that we should keep it as it is, but repaint the sign and display it somewhere more prominent.
Start/finish times – managing to keep to the 10.00 - 3.00 session times, and it’s great to share lunchtimes together. Thanks everyone for your help with this.
Work programme
New growing area – lots of work has been done preparing the ground, thank you. There are still lots more jobs to do, including fencing, making more compost bins and tree planting.
Toilet ramp – been working on installing the posts with various groups. The next stage of construction will allow for more people to be involved in the build at any one time.
We need to line the new raised beds, and construct some beds on wheels to use as screens for the storage bay bunds.
Pete (Buzz) has kindly offered us some fruit cages which we will need to collect and then erect. Thanks Pete.
Wild flower meadow – we need to collect more seeds from the meadow and scatter them on the bunds.
Planting plan – Fiona and Simon have been mapping out the various growing beds. Please speak to Fe before sowing/planting anything out, and let Fe know if you have any ideas/suggestions for crops to grow next year please.
Footpath maintenance – some of the paths are getting worn. We need to do some resurfacing and remove the wooden dividers in some of the paths, and remember to always be gentle and to use the correct tools when clearing the paths. Please use a leaf rake to remove leaves and use a hoe to remove weeds.
Wooden sheds
Please hang up your coats and bags on the hooks in the wooden shed and not in the brew area.
Waterproof coats and boots are stored in the shed, but please don’t use boots from the boxes labelled UCAN – these were paid for a different project.
Andy will buy more safety boots for everyone to use.
Other projects
CCG project – is now running on Wednesdays and Fridays 1.00 - 3.00pm. We still need to recruit more participants. Please be aware that Fiona needs to concentrate on that group during those times, and will not be available to the rest of us.
UCAN – are now attending on Thursdays and using more of the site for activities.
Events
Macmillan cake morning at Grozone raised £58.41. Thanks everyone for your help and donations.
Northwich Community Forum (Wednesday 8th October) – Andy to attend to promote Grozone.
World Mental Health Day (Friday 10th October) – Andy to promote Grozone at CWAC office, Wyvern House, Winsford.
Full Works Group – art students will be visiting Grozone on Friday 24th October.
Family club (31st October 10.00 – 12.00 and 1.00 – 3.00pm) – pumpkin carving for Halloween. Paper booking system at Grozone.
Do we want to attend the Hearts of Northwich Event in February?
Visits
If you have any ideas for places we could visit as a group, please let Pete, Fiona or Andy know. They need to be places that could help or inspire what we do at Grozone.
Bike shed
The bike shed has limited capacity and it was asked if we could have more bike stands. However, the stands are designed to hold 2 bikes each, so there should be enough room for 8 bikes if everyone is careful and mindful of others and their bikes. If we do need more stands, we’ll get some, but please try use the stands more efficiently first to see if we actually need more. Thanks.
Smoking area
The smoking area is not covered, so smokers have been using the porch on the wooden shed. We discussed the possibility of a large umbrella, but decided one would not be appropriate. In the long term we will construct a simple shelter (though regulations state that this would need to be open on three sides). For the time being, please continue to use the porch when it’s raining.
Ideas/suggestion
A wildlife survey of Grozone and a board to record what we have seen.
Could we apply for Site of Biological Importance status for Grozone – Andy to investigate.
Bird watching area – by the bog garden and/or in an area of undeveloped woodland.
Tree identification activity – Andy is going to create an activity using GPS.
Any other business
Cheshire has a new High Sheriff – Andy to invite her to Grozone (maybe for Halloween or for a cooking session).
We’ve had a request to manage the gardens at St Helen’s Church, Witton, but feel that it would be more appropriate for people from the church to come along to Grozone to learn the necessary skills themselves.
Date of next meeting
5th November at 3.00pm. Please note the later time – having the meetings later allows us all to remain focused on the meetings and avoids people working unsupervised on site.