Friends of Pittville AGM was held at St Pauls Church on 11 November. All papers relating to the meeting can be found here. We thank CBC Senior Tree Officer Chris Chavasse for being our guest speaker, in which he introduced, via a quiz, some fascinating facts and figures relating to trees and tree care in Pittville Park.
Annual Report
In his report to the AGM on 11 November, available in full on the website, Chairman David Kay detailed FoP’s main activities (all supported by volunteers, who he thanked for their efforts) before summarising the highlights of the year and thanking sponsors and collaborators.
- Membershiphas increased to about 400 members, who can join or renew their memberships via the website as well as by traditional methods.
- An average of about twenty Green Space Volunteershave joined each working party to maintain and improve the park, and occasionally teams of volunteers from local firms have helped.
- Green Flag Awardand Green Heritage Site Accreditation have been retained.
- The re-instatement of Pittville Pump Room front steps (the only historic structure on the original 1826 plan that had been demolished) has been completed.
- The final habitat board, ‘Native trees’, has been erected on the west side of the park.
- Work continues to convert the six brick planters near the aviaries into a sensory garden. Artists have been invited to submit ideas for adding sculptural elements.
- A volunteers hutfor GSV tools has been constructed on the east side of the park.
- Blueline Media (Southam) are working with FoP to improve our technology and communications, including coordination of membership and financial record keeping and ways of maintaining and updating our communication channels in an efficient, cost-effective and future-proof manner.
- A major source of fundraising, March Race Week parking in Albermarle Gate car park, was not available to FoP this year. The Quiz Night raised £604; the FoP stand at the Cheltenham Horticultural Society Spring Show raised £83; the Plant Sale raised £794.10; a Summer Cheese and Wine Party raised £851; a Garden Party raised £440; the duck feeder raised £468.60, and the take from the Cheltenham Lottery was £581.50.
- Despite the loss of the group’s Chairman and Secretary, Pittville History Works’ data collection will be retained, and the award-winning website (org.uk) supported.
Author: David Kay