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Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
of the Golden Valley Environmental Group, held on 21st February 2008 at 7:30 pm in the Golden Valley Community Centre, Peterchurch Present Sally Mayne, Astrid Mick, Dan Dixon, Michael Abbott, Alex Thompson, Alan Picton, Mary Kibblewhite, Martin Kibblewhite, Judy Seymour, Peter Gunn-Wilkinson, Vanessa Hembling, Hazel Jones, Claire Rouse, Charlie Westhead, Sarah Morgan, Dave Morgan, Maurice Church, Jane Suffield, Freer Spreckley, Susannah Garland, Catherine Carleton-Smith Apologies: Flora Hay Festival Agreed we should join with other environmental groups to share a stall at the Hay Festival. Vanessa to approach Peter Florence to ask for a free stall. Light Bulb Stall Bob’s light bulb business began from the GVEG. He now has a stall at the Hay market on Thursdays. Green Suppers We have an eco-kettle and appliance testers which will be used as prizes in a raffle, possibly at the next “green supper”. The purpose of our “green suppers” is to highlight political issues. We have presented a petition to MP, Paul Keetch about the climate change bill. Parish Councillors are to be invited to the next “green supper” where we will discuss re-cycling and street lighting. Projected Future Plans Cycle paths in Herefordshire. Freer has won a lottery bid for Sustrans. Community Wind Turbine. This would be a community co-operative venture. There may be some funding and possible sites along the Marches will be investigated, although the point was made that India and China are no longer exporting their wind turbines and now would be the time for a Government initiative to encourage manufacturing in the UK. Local Contacts made The GVEG Committee have made contact with local environmental groups, Brilley and Abbeydore. Representatives have attended Council meetings, Parish Council meetings in Dorstone and Peterchurch, a workshop on climate change. Tea Ladies The chair thanked Claire and Hazel for their stalwart tea lady duties, for which we are all very grateful. Treasurers Report Copies of the Treasurer’s report were available to the meeting. Questions/Comments Community Support Agriculture. Once the land is registered, there may be eligibility for grants. Dan and Charlie can advise. How effective are we at getting our message to others? It was reported that the “energy audit” has engaged members of the community who do not attend the GVEG. It was agreed that we need a publicity officer. We need to appear in the Hereford Times more regularly and the Golden Valley News. Vanessa and Catherine Barr are going to spend a day at Peterchurch School, talking with children about environmental issues. It was agreed we need to report our meetings. Alan Picton agreed to take on the role of press officer and will liaise with Sarah. Local radio has a half hour environmental programme. The Golden Valley News will print articles as will “The Link” which covers Clifford and Hardwick. “Haywire” is another possibility. Future Trish Marsh, from Herefordshire Council, who attended an early GVEG meeting is embarking on a year of eating only local produce. It was agreed to ask her back to a “green supper” to talk about her experiences. “Green miles” and the economic effect of buying locally against economic damage to small growers in other parts of the world. It would be helpful to find someone who could help us with this computation. Membership fee. It was agreed that the voluntary contributions currently cover the hire of the hall and we are reluctant to court the bureaucracy, which a membership fee would create. It was agreed that we would review this decision in a few months. The next meeting on 20th March will be at Vowchurch Village Hall and will be a “green supper” to which Parish Councillors and Trish Marsh will be invited. Minutes prepared by: Alex Thompson, 22 February 2008 Click here to return to top of this page.
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