HALSTEAD IN BLOOM
Minutes of a meeting 18th July 2019 7.30p.m. at Halstead Icing
Chairman, welcomed all present and accepted apologies from those who could not attend.
MINUTES of 27th June had been circulated and were adopted
NEWS: *Message has been received from BDC regarding improvement works at Ramsey Road Recreation Ground. There is to be a consultation survey to gather residents’ views regarding this recreation ground and refurbishments to be made using S106 money from the Oak Road development site. Residents’ feedback will be used to make a plan for works which will be available for further comment later in the year. If you wish to comment please access www.braintree.gov.uk/ramseyroad or contact Nicola Murphy 01376 552525 /nicola.murphy@braintree.gov.uk
EVENTS: **RiverCare. Next event is Sunday 4th August. Meet 10am at Sainsbury’s Car Park. *Next Community Litter Pick. Sunday 28th July, then 25th August. ALL WELCOME. Meet 10.30am at Sainsbury’s Car Park. *HiB Quiz for 2019. Friday 18th October. *Perrywood Visit 25th September: names so far are: Jenny, Joan, Margaret E, Iola, Wendy, Linda, Debra, Mary, Annie, Mike, Margaret T, Margaret C, Jean and Ian. There is one more place available if anyone wants to join. Visit to start at 11am (Tiptree), there is no cost but HiB will make a donation to Perrywood’s chosen charity.
LOCAL GARDEN COMPETITON. *Judging this coming weekend (20th/21st July). Sadly ……………. who had offered to judge is unwell but her place has been filled by Ruth from Colne Valley Nurseries who will be accompanied by Thelma and Joyce. In all, over the 8 categories there were 56 entries – better than last year. Thank you to all who are assisting judging.
Date for our Awards evening was discussed and 8th November was preferred evening. Post meeting note: URC has kindly allowed us to book the Church for 8th November for our Awards.
ANGLIA IN BLOOM’19. DATE FOR ANGLIA IN BLOOM – 24th July (10am to 4.30pm)
RHS BRITAIN IN BLOOM ’19 . DATE FOR BRITAIN IN BLOOM – 1st August (9am to 12noon) We have received the sad news that Andy Gray who was due to accompany Kim Parrish from RHS for our Britain in Bloom judging has passed away unexpectedly. Andy was a leading light in Aberdeen in Bloom and he will be sadly missed. Our condolences were sent to his family, and to the RHS. Kim will now be accompanied by Mel Henley – an experienced judge who had retired but who has stepped into the breach this year. We have been told that Kim and Mel will stay at the Braintree Premier Inn on the evening of 31st July and will need to be collected from that location before travelling to judge Halstead commencing at 9am. Tour of Halstead will finish at 12, we will give them lunch and take them back to Braintree station for a 2pm train to their onward journey home. We will arrange transport to collect the judges from Braintree and deliver them back to the station.
One of our Anglia in Bloom judges can’t now come to us so Anglia in Bloom judges will be Nolan Mills and Rebecca Davies. Their tour of Halstead is due to begin at 10am and we will meet them at The Bull. They will be with us for the whole day as they are also judging the Public Gardens, Priory Hall Retirement Village and Halstead Cemetery.
Portfolios for both tours were kindly printed for us by Braintree DC Media Department. There are copies available to view and they are an outstanding documentation of Halstead in Bloom over the past 12 months. Copy was prepared by Christine Laurence, well done Christine!
Outstanding work for judging routes: Greenfields maintenance team has now cleaned up – with the help of the HiB team – the area outside Trinity Flats. We are told that the weeds and rubbish will be removed from the car park adjacent to Trinity Flats by Greenfields landscape contractors before judging (including removing the unsightly ragwort). Linda has now weeded and cleared the triangle area beside Trinity Flats (that had been used as a toilet) and will put down some bark chippings to tidy it up. There is work to be done at the Resource Centre – working party will be there on Tuesday 23rd July. Some further work is needed at Courtaulds Close – Fiona will walk the area – there is concern that the brambles at allotment entrance might need cutting back. Some work is needed in Colchester Road and in Pretoria Road, team will attend. All are urged to check their area of the town and to notify Julia/Joan if there is anything that HiB team can’t rectify easily.
Anglia in Bloom Awards this year will be on 10th September in St. Ives (Cambs) – Burgess Hall. Sec. will need numbers wishing to attend by 16th August latest! Cost is thought to be £30 per person and travel can be arranged if enough people want to attend.
*Children’s Competition. Margaret T has 11/12 confirmed entries. Charles Soule will judge the entries. Certificates will be prepared. Prizes to be organised.
WORKING PARTIES : For all working parties meet at 2pm. on Town Bridge/Halstead Icing car park unless advised otherwise: Joan commented that the team have gone above and beyond all expectations to get the town ready for judging. All are thanked and congratulated. Tuesday 23rd July: Resource Centre, etc.. Some containers need washing (Annie to organise on Monday 22nd) Joan asked that all keep in touch by Whatsapp to see what needs doing. Colne Valley Close sign needs to be cleaned (Julia to clean). Some verge cutting in Colne Valley Close is needed (BDC has been advised).
ANY OTHER BUSINESS: *Summer Trail. Fiona has organised the Trail, with the help of Margaret T and all the items, posters, answer sheets, etc. are ready. Fiona and Margaret will take round the items to shops that have agreed to help on Monday. Oliver will advertise on Facebook.
*2020. All were asked to think of work that might be needed for 2020 – entry beds need attention, some of the carts need repair/replace, the seed drill is in poor condition, etc. We need to be thinking now so that we can budget for necessary repairs/renewal. Bring list to next meeting, please! *Calendar. Copy was shown for the calendar – it’s to be a ‘Now and Then’ calendar. All the photos and all ‘then’ postcards have been arranged by the U3A Camera Club and they were thanked for their efforts. Some copy amendments were suggested and they will be done and a further ‘proof’ printed before copy is sent to printer. Well done to all concerned!
*Dr’s Surgery Garden. Joan thanked all who have worked hard to revamp this unloved area of the town. Most of the bamboo has been removed, although some is coming through and will need to be treated. A sculpture has been ordered and will be ready by the end of the month. A stone snail has recently been purchased and added to the garden. The Doctors are pleased with the results and they will be holding a coffee morning on 25th July with half of the proceeds being given to The Empire for their Dementia Care screenings and half to Halstead in Bloom. Joan asked for volunteers to help at this coffee morning (from 9.30 to 12.30) and asked who would be able to provide cakes. There were willing helpers and bakers.!
*Iola noted that Fields in Trust voting is now open and Halstead Public Gardens and Mill Chase Playing Fields are nominated. Please vote if you can at www.fieldsintrust.org/best-park. *Linda and Debra spoke about work that needs to be done in Bois Hall Gardens/Colne Road – they will attend. Margaret T noted that Guides have litter picked the areas around Courtaulds Close/Parsonage Street and Brownies will be out litter picking at their Monday meeting. Margaret said that she will block off the ramp to the allotments, and that she/Guides will meet judges at the gate as that area is tidier and cleaner. *Fiona said that there are weeds at the base of the wall near to the garage (that can be viewed when coming out of Butler Road) – she will attend. *Joan asked if the bollards/cobbled area outside Billson’s will be tidied up before judging – it is thought that this is an insurance job so needs to be left alone until settled. *Debra noted that Mary lost a set of wide handled cutters a couple of weeks ago and asked if anyone had collected them. It was suggested that she ask at Halstead TC and also check at Peter Robertson’s to see if they’d been handed in. *Alan asked if the river can be checked for litter before judging. The RiverCare team will attend. *Mike asked if grass at The Hospital will be cut before judging; Julia to check with Joanne Collyer. *Carol said that she and Dave will continue to cut/edge verges at Churchill Avenue. *New HiB logo A suggestion for new logo was shown, it will be discussed further at next meeting.
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There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.21 p.m.
Team retired for a fish supper provided by Chairman, Margaret Eskins – thank you Margaret!!
Next team meeting on Thursday 26th September 2019 7.30p.m. at Halstead Icing.
All welcome
Contacts: Margaret Eskins Chairman. 01787 269443
Julia Smith, Secretary. 0776 2587141 / 01787461806. e-mail jaygrey@btinternet.com
Joan Gibson, plants and working parties. 01787 473070
www.halsteadinbloom.org.uk Facebook: halsteadinbloom. giveasyoulive.com/join/halstead-in-bloom
join membership of National Co-op (Colchester Road) and note HiB as your preferred charity to donate via Co-op purchases.
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