Page 52 - ALG Issue 1 2019

West Midlands
West Midlands AGM - another year
The 2018 Annual General Meeting was hosted by Billesley Lane Allotment Association and held in a traditional Methodist Chapel
in the Birmingham suburb of Kings Heath. Whilst the building was traditional, the interior was surprisingly transformed; the vestibule entrance was separated from the main body of the church by a glass partition and glass doors, the pews had been removed and the area carpeted, making the building light and airy rather than the traditional dark and gloomy appearance of the original interior.
The first half of the meeting was occupied by 'Digging Deeper Plant and Garden Science' presented by Paul Williams, a gardener from Shipston on Stour. A writer, author, radio broadcaster and lecturer, he gave a very entertaining presentation regarding the quirky and unusual creatures and plants that can inhabit our
gardens.
After the break we began the business section of the meeting.
The Regional Secretary reported on
the state of the regional membership,
the winners of the 'Shed of the year' competition and forthcoming events.
The Regional Treasurer declared that
we were still solvent, that funds were available to support local associations
with publicity material and that a very welcome grant had been received from Corby to support the Region's contribution to the Gardeners' World Live Show at the National Exhibition Centre in June 2019.
Welcome to our new members...
Belbroughton Allotments Society Rowington Allotment Association Victoria Road Allotment Association 3 Individual Members
With local authorities desiring to save money, there was a big push to persuade local associations to become self-managed and the Regional Representative, his Deputy and the Regional Mentor were being kept very busy giving advice to sites and towns where this was about to be implemented. The Region was involved with the 2018 Kidderminster Show and will be offering more support at the Malvern Show in the future. The Regional Mentor described how he was not
only involved in supporting sites but also for advising parish clerks on their responsibilities.
The Officers were re-elected en-masse, and members were invited to nominate themselves for
the role of Chairperson.
The Deputy Regional Representative outlined
the plans for the Gardeners' World Live 2019.
It was hoped in 2019 to have more speakers during the Show, which would in turn encourage more people to visit the stand and, hopefully, sign up as members. Last year over twenty members had volunteered to be on the stand over some of the four days of the Show,
and again members were invited to make contact if they were willing to support the
Society on the stand in 2019.
The Regional Representative closed
the meeting by thanking Billesley Lane Allotments for their hospitality in hosting the 2018 AGM and providing refreshments.
52