APCA minutes

Present:- Ruth Kerry, Simon Middlecote Chris Holmes, Jo Mansfield, Helen Hetherington, Tracey Turrill, Nick Dunn, Daniel Whittingham, Caroline Stone
Also in attendance: Councillor Penny Gowland

Apologies Sue Andrews, Catherine Bailey, Sheila Ashton

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last Committee Meeting held on 20th January 2025 were noted.

CHAIR’S REPORT
Simon read out the Chair’s report on behalf of Sue. The report covered:
The community gardens
Last years summer gathering
Litter picking group
Window advent calendar
Games night, book club and stich up craft group at the Willow Tree
Remembrance tributes
Willow weave
5A bus to Turning Circle
Yellow lines on corner of Eltham and Buckfast to help bus movement
Air pollution monitor
Website
It was suggested that the air pollution monitor could be used by years 5 and 6in the two schools.
With regard to the community gardens it was thought useful if a GIS map could be obtained from Rushcliffe and the County Councils which would show which were owned by each council and include details of the community gardens.
Another suggestion was for part of the community garden to be allocated to the schools to get involved with. An alternative was to put planters on the grass at the end of Buckfast Way next to abbey Road and encourage the school to plant them.
It was AGREED
That the report was noted.
That Sue be thanked for the report.
That the new 5A bus be welcomed
That the schools be approached about whether they could use the air monitor as a learning experience.
That the various community gardeners be thanked for the positive impact the gardens had on the estate
That Simon initially approach Rushcliffe about getting a Gis map of the estate.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Ruth gave details of the income and expenditure for the Association.
It was AGREED to note the report.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
The following appointments to the Committee were agreed for the following year:-
Chair – Simon Middlecote
Vice-Chair – Sue Andrews
Treasurer and Website – Ruth Kerry
Secretary – Chris Holmes
Committee members : Caroline Stone, Sheila Ashton, Tracey Turrill, Jo Mansfield, Helen Hetherington, Catherine Bailey, Nick Dunn, Daniel Whittingham.
It was AGREED to record everyone’s thanks to Sue Andrews for her work as Chair.

PLANS AND UPDATES
Summer Gathering
Sunday 13 July 2024 2pm- 4pm had been chosen as the date. A meeting to finalise the arrangements was agreed to be held on Tuesday 1st July at 7pm at the Willow Tree.
Rememberance Day Displays
Tracey reported that she was working on next years display but could do with some helpers. Ruth and Caroline volunteered to assist.
Green Spaces
The willow woven tunnel was now planted on the field and looked good. A cutting would be taken to replace the whip which had not taken. Thanks were expressed to the waterers. The tape around the willow would remain over the summer.
St Luke’s Serving Sunday
On 29th June members of St Luke’s would be undertaking tasks around the estate.
It was AGREED that cutting the grass around the orchard trees and clearing weeds from road kerbsides could be suggested as a task.
New Gym Equipment
The gym equipment was expected to be installed on the field imminently
Abbey Park 50th Birthday in 2026
2026 would be 50 years since Abbey Park was built. It was planned to create a tapestry mark the occasion. Catherine Bailey and Tracey Turrill were the coordinators of this project. There was a discussion about where the finished tapestry could be displayed. Other suggestions were to have a sign marking the anniversary or a tiled planter. Further discussion was needed at the next meeting on this
Turning Circle Parking and Yellow Lines
The parking issues in the turning circle which prevented the 5A bus from turning was discussed. It was agreed to wait and see if the situation improved but to request that the bin be moved to the new bus stop.
Mulch
The County Council had asked for mulch to be stored at the entrance to Waltham. It was agreed that Simon would contact Rushcliffe to seek their approval as it was their land.

OPEN FORUM
No additional issues were raised.
Date of next Committee Meeting
The next committee meeting was arranged for Monday 8th September 2025 at 7pm

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.