Committee Minutes

HALLING GARDENING SOCIETY

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 11 MAY 2026  from 7.30 pm At Manor Farm

1. PRESENT
Pat Catchpole, Phil Badman, Kaeren Daunt-Jones, Barbara Hopkins, David Hopkins and
Barbara Mead.
2. APOLOGIES
Amanda Merritt and Matthew Wells.
3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 th FEBRUARY 2026
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed.
4. MATTERS ARISING
Website: Phil advised that Matt, David and Barbara H have access rights for admin. Phil
and David agreed to discuss in more detail after the meeting. Phil further advised that the
monthly fees for the website have increased from £2.99 to £4.79 per month. This
represents a 60% increase!
David has altered the questions on Facebook page to ensure the necessary details for
replying are available.
Committee responsibilities: Matt still to feedback on his access to the bank accounts.
Action: Matt Wells
The roles and responsibilities previously agreed will be reviewed at the next meeting on 10
August 2026.
How to show guidelines: These will be amended as required at the next meeting. In the
meantime, the committee should have a look through and circulate any changes needed in
advance of the meeting. Action: ALL
5. TREASURER'S REPORT

Current account 197.92
Reserve account 3743.50
Cash 411.71
Total 4353.13
( Also handed £100 cash for 11 th June trip tonight and £160 paid direct by bacs)

6. SHOW JUDGES
Committee agreed that they were happy to book Jean and Wendy for future shows.
Malcolm Buller will stop after September 2026. The Committee agreed to give Malcolm a
£25 NGS voucher in thanks. Pat suggested 4.4.2027 and 5.9.27 for next year’s shows.
Easter is at the end of March. These were agreed so Pat will book the judges for these
dates.
7. PLANT SALE
Pat will be unable to attend. Brian and Adrian will load the tables from Jubilee Hall onto the
trailer on Wednesday and take to Manor Farm. We will also load available plants from here
ready for collection. Matt will take the tables from Manor Farm to The Five Bells and return
them to Jubilee Hall after the sale. Key must be available!

Action: Matt Wells
Plants can also be taken to Manor Farm by Thursday if members are unable to take to the
sale.
Set-up time 8.30am.
Phil will take a copy of our insurance policy to The Five Bells. Action: Phil Badman
The cash float of ca £150 will be available. Adrian will bring this to the sale and take back
to Manor Farm after the sale.
Kaeren would distribute posters and as much publicity as possible soonest.

Action: Kaeren Daunt-Jones
Surplus plants can come back in trailer then will be taken to Strood Show for 20 th June.
We are also planning to have a stall at Cuxton Big Lunch on 28 th June if enough plants still
available.
(Pat does not think that some of hers will be ready by 5 th June) Table needs to be booked.
Action Barbara Hopkins

8. TRIP TO COURT LODGE GARDENS 11 JUNE 2026
21 people had expressed interest but 2 have dropped out and 3 are still to confirm. It was
agreed to pay for 18 tickets and the club will make good any shortfall. The numbers can be
added to if necessary. People should make their own way there, 1.45 for 2.00 start.
Pat would pay this amount tonight by bacs.
9. INSURANCE
Phil related current issues with his church group and Halling Historical Society (HHS) and
recommended that HGS look into insurance for committee members should a member of
the public take legal action against an individual. He has obtained a quote of £123 per
annum. This is different from the public liability insurance that HGS takes out for the plant
sale and other events. It was not clear to see how these circumstances would arise so it
was agreed to reconsider at the next meeting when all members would be present.
Phil will circulate a copy of the insurance that the church group and HHS are considering.
Action: Phil Badman

10. EVENTS PROGRAMME LEAFLET
Phil advised that HHS are considering stopping this and asked whether HGS wanted its
leaflet to continue to be produced and circulated. Pat said that it had attracted few new
members and that improved year round publicity provided by Kaeren makes it less useful.
Barbara M reported that she has had positive feedback about the leaflet as people are
aware much earlier of events through the year. However, this awareness can be achieved
through information in Halling View, on Facebook, our website and having information on
notice boards etc. It was agreed not to continue with the leaflet.
11. HALLING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HGS has been invited to give a short presentation at the Parish Council Annual Public
meeting on 29 May 2026. The Committee agreed that this was a good idea. Phil and
Matt are both available to give the talk. Pat will submit their names.

Action: Pat Catchpole

12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Committee members information: Barbara M will circulate an up to date list of contact
information for Committee members, including email addresses, mobile and land line
telephone numbers and addresses. Action: Barbara Mead
Tour of Arnold Yoke Garden on 11 th August still needs to be publicised as no date given on
the leaflet. No names have come forward yet.
13. DATES FOR 2026
Committee meetings
All to be held at Manor Farm starting at 7.30pm
Monday 10 August 2026
Monday 12 October 2026
Monday 23 November 2026
Autumn Show Sunday 6 September 2026
AGM Monday 2 November 2025 7.30pm

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 10 August 2026 from 7.30pm at Manor Farm.