Minutes of Management Committee Meeting at 11.00am on Thursday 12th March 2015 held at the Potting Shed, CV35 7AA.

Transcription

1 Minutes of Management Committee Meeting at 11.00am on Thursday 12th March 2015 held at the Potting Shed, CV35 7AA. Present: Mike Craig Chairman Tony Riley, Peter Strawson, David Bloomfield, Edward Barham, John Hardwick, Adrian Morgan, David Brown, Anthony Hornshaw, Geoff Gilbert, Ian Jefferies, Andrew Ingram, Sadie Lynes, Colin Palmer (guest) John Godwin The Chairman said that the Committee were aware of the death of John Godwin. He said that like many members he knew John well and had written a letter to John s wife on behalf of the BCTGA. 1. Apologies: Apologies were received from Stephen Smith, Peter Alexander and John Osborne. 2. Minutes of Management Committee Meeting on Wednesday 22 October 2014 at Moor Hall Conference Centre, Cookham, Berkshire, SL6 9QH. Approved and signed 3. Matters arising Membership of NFU Secretary to join BCTGA as a member or himself as a member before June meeting. 4. Open Days - The offers of Open Days were considered. It was decided to choose Open Days in different parts of the Country to previous years and also at different sites to ones where Open Days had recently been held. The Committee expressed their thanks to all those members that had put their sites forward for consideration and requested that they would offer their sites in the future. Open Days requested and dates to be arranged: Edward Barham - Kent Tuesday 20 October Competition Day Richard Stephenson - Suffolk Thursday 21 May Full Day Euan Duff - Scotland 23 June AGM & Open Day Trials Update - Hereford August/ September Half day CTGCE - Denmark 30 June to 3 July 2015 Summer meeting Ask Irish Association for dates of their Open Days and if BCTGA members can attend? Invite Catherine to AGM in Scotland. Check date with Frenchay to see if they can rearrange a half Open Day. (Possibly next year). 5. Finance 5.1 Accounts for year ending 31/12/2014. The Chairman asked if the excellent surplus was likely to continue and be available for funding new projects. The Secretary presented the surplus for recent years, ,400; ,036; ,337; ,874; ,802. The size of surplus may not be maintained but there were sufficient funds in the account to fund sensible projects. The Accounts were approved and signed. 5.2 INVESTMENTS HELD Cambridge and Counties Bank 60 Day Notice Issue 2 at 1.2% 25,000 Invested 2/4/2014 8,000 Invested 11/4/ ,000 Invested 15/10/ ,000 Invested 16/10/2014 5,000 Invested 17/10/2014 Total 58,000

2 6. Market 7. BCTGA - Co Op Bank 12 month Fixed Rate Deposit Account 25,428 Matures April 2015 (as below) Grand Total INVESTMENTS = 83, Coop Bank investment of 25,428 matures in April The Committee considered it a low risk if this was reinvested with the Co-Op bank. Secretary to decide where to re-invest. 5.4 Proposed expenditure for 2015 is shown in minute 12 and minute 8:. Web site budget 4,000 Trials 4,500 Update Adrian Morgan gave an overview of the Snowbird News & Views 2015 document published 13 January Market Research Adrian Morgan asked if any Committee member had a copy of the last research undertaken approximately 15 years ago and requested that another survey be funded. Progress The Chairman provided an update on the work undertaken to gain a better understanding of the European market. This had included the Chair and Secretary visiting Langeso in Denmark, visiting some growers in Denmark and attending the European Christmas Tree Growers Council meeting in Copenhagen in Denmark. The Chairman also provided an update on the work undertaken to gain a better understanding of the British Consumer market. This had included the Chair and Secretary visiting several major retailers in the UK.. BCTGA constitution review The Chairman said the current constitution had been fit for purpose and before any final changes were proposed some more research was necessary to ensure any changes met the future needs of the BCTGA. Christmas Tree Grower Council of Europe The Chairman provided some feedback on the meeting and the European discussion regarding certification and the current preference to GAP. The Secretary provided some information on Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) and the UK BOPP scheme. Meeting with major Retailers The Chairman provided some feedback on the meetings and spoke of the possibility of joint funding for some market/ consumer research. Workshop for larger growers. The Chairman said this had not yet been arranged but would be arranged as more information became available to exchange ideas. Working Group The Committee approved the forming of a small working group to consider actions that may further improve the service BCTGA provided to all categories of membership and to consider if a new category of Retail member would be beneficial. The areas for consideration would include Market Research as suggested by Adrian Morgan. Irish Association It was agreed that there should be closer working with the Irish Association and their members could be invited to attend Open Days.

3 8. Sponsorship and trials - Colin Palmer and Adrian Morgan provided an overview of the areas where trials could continue and new trials be started. They also set out the anticipated Company sponsorships and costs for BCTGA. All trials submitted were approved, namely: 1a. Nordmann Leader Control (corrective) 1 trial Herefordshire. 3 replicates of 10 trees per plot 24 hours b. Nordmann Leader Control (preventative). 1 trial Herefordshire. 4 replicates of 15 trees per plot. 1, Bayer to sponsor. 2. Calcium & CSNN 2 trials Herefordshire. 3 replicates of 10 trees per plot. Possible sponsor Everiss. 2, (31 hours 1, per trial) 3. Frost Protection 1 trial. 3 replicates of 10 trees per plot. 18 hours Nordmann Provenance. 4 trials. Worcestershire, Yorkshire, Lowland & Upland Scotland. 12, ( 430 per trial per year). Majland have offered to fund the cost of transplants reducing the cost to 10, Nb. 7 to 8 year trial. 5. Silver Fir Woolly Aphid. 2 trials. West Midlands. 3 replicates of 10 trees per plot. 25 hours per trial. 1,000 per trial. Sponsor (1) Belchim. 1, (2) Bayer 1,000.00). 6. Nordmann Fir Establishment. 1 trial. West Midlands. Possible sponsor Agrovista. 24 hours To continue the long term trial started in The pre planting treatment to be replaced by fertiliser components. 7. Glyphosate Rainfastness Trial. 1 trial. Herefordshire. Sponsor Nu Farm & Confor Estimated 2015 cost 8, Less current sponsorship 4, Balance , (Longer term commitment to 2021 (predominantly the provenance trial) 20,620 (less 2015 sponsorship = 16,330.00) The Committee approved a budget of Education / Training Sadie Lynes gave an update on training. Due to Government cut backs there was little prospect of government funding of courses. Sadie will continue to liaise with college. Edward Barham said he had recently taken on an apprentice via a government sponsored scheme and suggested this could be a method of bringing people into the Christmas tree industry. 10. Vice Chairman The Chairman asked Committee members to be patient as before a Vice Chair was elected he wanted to see if new members could be brought onto the Committee with some different views and outlook. 11. Membership applications - The following applications received were considered and approved: 1286 Andrew Schofield, Meldrew Topsoil, Cotsmead, 6 School Lane, Emley, Huddersfield W. Yorks HD8 9RT 1287 Mike Jackson, MJ Wood solutions Ltd. Mount Pleasant Farm, Chalvington, E. Sussex BN27 3TB 1288 James Anyon Cedar Cottage, Newtimber Place, Hussocks, Sussex, BN6 9BU

4 1289 Peter & Simon Roe, Greenfields Christmas Trees Ltd. 838 Ecclesau Road, Sheffield S Yorkshire S11 8TD 1290 Nicholas Duffield, Padgets Christmas Trees Ltd. Dawnay Farm, Low Crankley Easingwold York YO61 3NZ 1291 Stephen Brown, First Christmas Tree & Log Co Ltd 8 Wentworth Street Portree Isle of Skye IV51 9EJ 1292 Roger Bownass/ Mat Witts, Witbow, 246 Main Street, Stonnall, Staffs WS9 9EE Application 1293 below was approved by Chairman after meeting Jorgen Kahlershoj, Jutek, Nymarksvej 19, DK Sonderso, Denmark. 12. Web site update/ revise. Some members felt the postcode search facility was a bit clunky. A budget of 4,000 for the Secretary to improve the web site was approved. It was suggested that members be asked for any suggested changes. 13. No. 10 Downing Street A complaint from the Tree winner re decisions made by the Secretary regarding the events around No. 10 Downing Street were considered by the Committee. The Committee considered the complaint and decided the Secretary had acted appropriately and this should be conveyed to the complainant. The Secretary said that the tree delivery as a media event had to be cancelled two years running and the Lighting ceremony had been used as a safeguard event and was well received by Competition Winners. In light of this and the difficulties of organising the tree erection as a media event for both the Secretary and more importantly No.10 it was agreed that this event could be cancelled and replaced with the Lighting Ceremony. This would allow the trees to be delivered on a date specified by No.10 and erected on a date they chose. The Lighting Ceremony would now be the planned event to which Winners and the media would be invited, subject to invite from No. 10. The Committee stated that the Secretary should implement changes as considered appropriate with No Christmas trees in BFP Edward Barham gave an update on Basic Farm Payment, BFP following the January pronouncement. He said it was still under review but he was applying pressure through the CLA PR The new arrangements with the Secretary (BSS) and the new PR Company undertaking PR throughout the year, for a reduced cost than previous years, was perceived as working well and had achieved a publicity value of approx. 2m in December 2014 alone. 16. AOB - Performing Rights Society (PRS) and Public Performing Licences (PPL) 3 discs of Christmas tunes had been purchased at cost of 36 which meant licence fees were not needed. Business rates It is important that buildings used at Christmas are returned to Agriculture use. Single Farm Payment Now replaced with BFP. See item 14.. Tip Off replacement Options are being considered as part of the BCGA trials. CRD Growers Meeting Colin Palmer provided an update on Chikara, and Pomoxone potential use.

5 Dutch Growers request visit Chairman agreed that his site could be used as one site for the visit. Edward Barham also suggested they be invited to attend the Competition Day. Secretary to discuss options with the Dutch association. Reindeer David Bloomfield mentioned that some press releases in December had questioned the keeping of Reindeer. It was agreed that care should be taken with keeping any livestock. Grown in Britain scheme As John Osborne was not at meeting Andrew Ingram offered to investigate what is required to operate the Grown in Britain scheme as an individual member and report back to a future meeting. Justin Mumford to be informed. Anthony Hornshaw s Resignation Anthony said he was now less involved with Christmas Trees and was therefore resigning from the Committee. He said he had enjoyed his time acting on the Committee and being a member of the association. The Chair thanked him for his contribution over many years. 17. Next Meeting. Arranged 22 June 2015 and AGM 23 June 2015 at Euan Duff, Scotland. NB After the meeting it was decided that due to the many years of service on the BCTGA Committee, Anthony Hornshaw s service should be recognised by the Committee and members at the AGM. The Secretary was asked to send Anthony a letter thanking him for his service and inviting him to attend the AGM meeting.