Page 43 - ALG Issue 1 2017

Yorkshire Allotments and Gardens Federation
On Saturday 12th November the Yorkshire Region held their 99th Annual General Meeting. This year the venue was the Elland Working Men’s Club; Elland is between Hudders eld and Halifax. Once again the weather was atrocious; I really do think we should consider moving the AGM to July or August, as the weather probably accounted for the slightly lower turn out than usual.
Unfortunately our Chairman, Phil Gomersall, was taken ill with a rather severe chest infection a few days before the event. As well as being Chairman, Phil was this year’s speaker, giving us an insight into his experiences of producing some of the show gardens, including Chelsea, for which he and the Leeds and District Gardeners Federation have become known. This pleasure will now have to wait for some other function.
The Vice Chairman, Mr Barry Bothamly, took over the meeting with a guest speaker, Mr Noel Moroney, standing in at very short notice. During the morning session Mr
Moroney entertained us for about an hour with facts, gures and tales about West Yorkshire, its people, places and artefacts from the time of The Duke of Wellington
until the present day. At the end of Noel’s speech we had a break for lunch, but, during the excellent buffet, he was inundated with questions and congratulations, making eating quite dif cult.
After lunch the Vice Chairman called
the meeting to order for the business
part of the meeting. After the election of Of cers, the Secretary’s speech and the Treasurer’s Financial Report, we were pleased to welcome our guest of honour, Mrs Liz Bunting, the NAS Legal Advisor and Operations Manager. Liz informed us of the NAS members of staff; ve at Corby and Di from Bristol. She then went on to describe brie y the work undertaken by the staff in running the NAS for a year. I think there were few in the audience who appreciated such things as the time and effort that goes into arranging an Annual General Meeting
at least a year ahead, or the preparation required for an election. On top of that are the Management Committee meetings, meetings with outside agencies such as banks, insurance companies, investment brokers, accountants and the various partner agencies with which we confer. It seems a minor miracle that it all happens more or less as it should. This is thanks to a rst class of ce team. When Liz had nished she sat down to much applause and requests that she would come again. The Vice Chairman closed the meeting thanking everyone for their attendance and wishing them a safe journey home.
Tony Heeson, Yorkshire Region Secretary
Brackenhill Allotments Association, Ackworth, West Yorkshire
On Wednesday 12 October the Brackenhill Allotment Association held their annual Presentation Evening at a local hostelry. Once again I was fortunate to be invited to attend.
The presentations were made by Councillor Mrs. Sarah Balfour of Ackworth Parish Council, with whom the Association has an excellent rapport, and who provide the prizes for the rst, second and third contestants in the Best Plot category. The Association funds the remaining prizes along with the very excellent buffet provided at the end of the presentation.
This years Novelty Competition was for the largest cabbage
and was won by Mr. Gary Maunder whose entry weighed in at 44.5 Lbs but the competition was a close run thing with all the rst three entries being covered by 1.5 Lbs.
The judging was carried out by Mr. Fred Darlinson, a previous plot holder of many years standing who apart from judging the various categories, shared with us and the competitors his reasons for his choice and gave advice on how improvements could be made resulting in higher scores and maybe a winning entry next year.
The event was very well supported and enjoyed by all. An expression of thanks was extended to a very hard working committee who in my view are supported by a very community spirited association.
Tony Heeson.
Yorkshire Regional Rep.
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