Community Smallholding 3rd Open Meeting
Friday 25th February saw the third Open Meeting of the Community Smallholding at the Railway Freehouse. To make a change the meeting was in the Bar due to another booking in Tracks.
Orchard Day: an explanation was given as to the consequences created by the last Orchard Day:- There will be no clearance on a Sunday, Dogs MUST be kept under control at all times, a weeks notice is to be given of clearance activities, bonfires will only be allowed if the prevailing wind will take the smoke away from the neighbouring properties.
These were all common sense things that should have been anticipated beforehand, however it does mean that greater thought will be put into things before commencement.
Legal: There is an immediate need for 3 directors, Colin Smith volunteered his services for one of the posts and the remaining will be filled ASAP in order that the registration papers can be logged with the Registrar of Companies.
Registration does of course mean that Membership Fees will need to be collected sooner rather than later - Registration fees are about £300. The Membership forms will be created by Aly and left for people to collect from the Railway etc as well as being available on the village website, all membership returns to be to Joy at 23 Station Road, N. Elmham. Basic Membership is looking to be about £30 per person which gives one voting right.
Livestock: The first load of pigs are due to come up for slaughter in about 4 weeks or so and now is the time to check on things like slaughter costs etc. Initially sales of meat can only be made to inside the group to our own members in order to avoid ay problems at this stage.
Next Livestock: The consensus was to get some cob cockerels as well as another batch of piglets (probably about 9 piglets and a couple dozen cockerels), additionally costings are also being done with regard to layers.
An email will be sent round asking views. Agreement was had on general method of costings and that we should look at cost plus 20% as total selling price in order to give a return for reinvestment and future development.
The decision on chickens gives immediate need for clearance of buildings to house them - this will be at the next Orchard Clearing date. There is a need to keep both chickens and pigs on the same feed rota times in order to minimise any disturbance to neighbours.
Disinfectant: It will need foot washes etc in order to meet DEFRA Regulations and avoid any possibility of causing any problems.
Land: The acre that we had been promised has been withdrawn and it is now imperative that we find another source. There are 30 acres of the Annie Mary Smith land which was willed to the village for the benefit of the village, it is this land which the current allotments are a part of, the rest being leased. It is being looked into to see if some of this land could be returned to the parish and be used for the Community Smallholding, however until sight is had of the actual wording of the will, no one seems to know if it would be possible or not.
To this end it would help if all members could attend the next Parish Council Meeting (6th April at 7:30pm in the Pavilion) in order to show the Parish Council just how much interest there is in the project.
There was some talk about milking cows and Warren is to look at costs for next meeting.
The next Orchard Clearing (to hopefully finish the clearing) will be on Saturday 19th March - some members will also be helping to clear out the buildings for the chickens - meet at the Orchard 10:00 ish.