Minutes of AGM Wednesday 28 October 2026 19:00
at The Mission Rooms, Harley
1. Katie Brumpton (chair) welcomed members to the meeting. John Taylor sent his apologies. There were 6 members at the meeting.
2. The minutes of the previous AGM held in October 2025 were passed as a true record. Proposed by Allan Rodway, seconded by James Hirst. There were no matters arising.
3. Chair’s report: Katie Brumpton spoke about the challenges that the dry weather brought this year. Some plotholders have asked about the provision of piped water on site but the previous quote received from Yorkshire water makes it unaffordable. Therefore, her advice was to collect as much water as possible in water butts/IBCS. Members are reminded that greenhouses and sheds should be secured against winter storms and high winds. After such weather members are asked to check their plots for damage. Plotholders are asked to maintain their plots and keep the site safe and in good condition. If plotholders have difficulties in doing so (e.g. illness/injury) please inform the committee.
4. Treasurer’s report: Michelle Brammah presented the balance sheet. The income for the society was £1885.50 and total expenditure was £1596.40. Michelle told the meeting that although Wentworth Estates had increased the total rent for 2027 the society had not increased the plot rents. They remain £17 per half plot and £34 per full plot for 2027. Plot rents can be paid by BACS, cheque or cash.
5. Secretary’s report: Bill Lee informed the meeting that the society has 90 members…56 male and 34 female. There are 45 half plots and 31 full plots on the site. 15 plots had changed hands since the last AGM, one plot 4 times, and there are 10 names on the waiting list. Word of mouth recommendation from existing members generates most applicants for plots. There is currently 1 vacant half plot. Members were reminded to let the society know of any change of contact details…phone number, postal address, email address.
6. No written questions were submitted for the meeting
7. Presentation of trophies
Best kept allotment Bob Uff plot 10
Most improved allotment Gemma and Carl Williams plot 12A
8. Election of officers and committee
Given that there were only 6 members present an election was not held, the current committee, Katie Brumpton, Allan Rodway, Michelle Brammah, James Hirst and Bill Lee volunteered to continue. This course of action was proposed by Mike Harrison , seconded by Michelle Brammah.
The following officers volunteered to continue:
CHAIR
Katie Brumpton
TREASURER
Michelle Brammah
SECRETARY
Bill Lee
9. AOB There has been fly tipping near the Wentworth Estates garages. Harley Allotment society members are reminded that plotholders who do this are liable to eviction.
Meeting closed 19:21
HARLEY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY
Committee meeting Wednesday 16 September 2026 7:00pm
Present: K. Brumpton, B. Lee A. Rodway M Brammah J Hirst
Katie Brumpton welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Decisions:
1.Minutes of June meeting ratified. Matters arising; There is still dog mess on the tracks despite the construction of a fence next to the car park. Notices will be posted warning dog owners that there is rat poison on the site. The committee thanked Allan, James and Katie for constructing the new fence at the car park. The chain barrier on the south track will be installed before the end of September.
2. Allotment plot judging:
Trophy presentation to be made at AGM.
Following comments this year by a few members, the judging system was examined and was deemed fit for purpose. It has a scoring system which is aimed at finding the best plot on the site therefore plots obviously not in the running for this do not have a score recorded. The committee members separately and independently score the plots during the judging week. The trophies are seen as a means of motivating and rewarding plotholders who strive for high standards of cultivation and presentation of their plots. In this way, the committee seeks to demonstrate duty of care and to fulfil the purpose of allotments to the landlord, Wentworth Estates.
3. Neglected plots: Bill to contact the following: Two plots to be given 2 weeks to improve xx xx. Plot xx needs to tidy up path at side of plot. A welfare call to plotholder xx.
4. AGM: Usual AGM agenda. Quorum of 7 will be required to pass decisions at AGM. Only registered plotholders can speak in the meeting and vote. Venue: Mission rooms, 28 October, start 19:00. Bill to post notices of meeting at least 14 days before it and to collect in trophies and arrange engraving.
5. Chair’s items: A request was received to allow a childminding group to meet and use an allotment. This was turned down because the society is not insured for such activity on site. It was also noted that the society would probably have to undertake additional health and safety requirements and risk assessments. Existing individual plotholders may need vetting because several children would be on the site. Several children on site would probably disturb the quietness that some plotholders appreciate.
A new burning area will be located near the old one and the manure drop.
6 Treasurer’s items: Society has £3930.16 in bank and petty cash of £161.61. Wentworth Estates increased the site rent for 2027 to £1060. The committee decided not to increase rents to plotholders. Plot rents for 2027 will be £34 full plot, £17 half plot. No discounts.
8. Secretary’s items: There are 10 on the waiting list.
9. AOB: A new rule was created to ensure that anyone joining the committee had experience of being a plotholder on the allotment site. To be eligible to stand for the committee a plotholder must have cultivated a plot for 2 full growing seasons. (March – October)
Meeting closed 20:54
Next meeting Wednesday 2 December 7:00 p.m. at the Horseshoe
HARLEY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY
Committee meeting Wednesday 3 June 2026 7:00pm
Present: K. Brumpton, M. Brammah, B. Lee, A. Rodway, J. Hirst
Katie Brumpton welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Decisions:
1.Minutes of March meeting ratified.
Matters arising: 3. There is still a problem with dog mess despite notices prohibiting dog walking on the site. All materials have now been acquired to erect a fence to cordon off access from the car park and it will be erected in July.
2.Neglected plots: Plots xx xx, Lack of cultivation. Bill to make enquiries. Plot xx, Untidy, weed growth on boundary, needs sheeting Bill to phone. Plot xx, concern about health of plotholder Bill to make welfare call. Plot xx little cultivation, untidy, monitor progress with it.
3. South track entry: Install chain barrier to deter trespassers. Bill to source chain and fittings.
4. Tenancy and plotholder issues: Occasionally prospective tenants specify wanting a full plot or a half plot. In practice, prospective tenants have been allowed a maximum of two chances to accept the offer of a suitable plot.
It is a concern that plotholders might place several fruit trees on a half plot or full plot thereby significantly changing the nature of the allotment plot. Further research is to be done about this to determine if a rule needs to be made or action taken.
The conduct of the plotholder of xx is causing concern. Several plotholders have complained about his conduct, his noisiness, and reported him going uninvited onto other people’s plots.. Michelle and Bill will arrange a meeting with him to put these concerns to him and seek assurances about suitable future conduct.
5. Judging of plots 2026 will follow the same process as 2025. The judging week will be Monday 17 August to Sunday 23 August 2026
6.Chair’s items: Some items have been removed from plot14A after tenants were evicted.
7. Treasurer’s items: £4358.16 in the bank, £185.81 in petty cash.
8. Secretary’s items: There are 4 on the waiting list. There will be 3 vacant half plots soon 5A, 20B, and 28A. Katie to place advert in “My Hoyland” and to investigate placing an advert in the Harley Gala magazine. Bill to put advert on village noticeboard.
Next meeting Wednesday16 September 7:00p.m. at the Horseshoe
Meeting closed 20:30
HARLEY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY
Committee meeting Wednesday 11 March 2026 7:00pm
Present: K. Brumpton, A. Rodway, M. Brammah, B. Lee, J Hirst
Katie Brumpton welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Decisions:
1.Minutes of December meeting ratified.
Matters arising:
3.Publicity of society: Wentworth Post Office does not display notices. Morrisons Ecclesfield and Tesco Hoyland do. Notices to be placed in these two shops soon. Decision about advertising in Grapevine magazine deferred pending further information.
4.Thanks to plotholders for not using the centre track in wet winter conditions.
8. The farmer’s fence next to the allotment site has not been repaired as promised. However, there is no livestock in the field.
2. Neglected plots: concern over lack of activity on plots XX and XX. Bill to contact both to discover if there are problems.
3.Chair’s items: Dog walkers are still proceeding through the allotment site. Fence to be erected to cordon off the open access to the site near the car park. “No dog walking” sign and “No fires”sign to be erected beside the car park.
Katie will post a “welcome to the growing season” note on the society’s facebook page.
4. Treasurer’s items: £4725.66 in the bank and £261.50 petty cash. Rents not paid plot 9A and plot 26. Bill to contact both to secure payment. If payment not received by end of March both stand to be evicted.
5. Secretary’s items: 4 names on the waiting list.
6. A.O.B. Hawthorn tree on plot XX to be removed. Bill to contact plotholder. After the end of the fire season, a skip for general rubbish will be provided on a date yet to be decided.
Next meeting Wednesday 3 June 2026 7:00 p.m. at the Horseshoe
Meeting closed 19:53
HARLEY ALLOTMENT SOCIETY
Committee meeting Monday 1 December 2025 7:00pm
Present: K. Brumpton, A. Rodway, M. Brammah, J. Hirst, B. Lee
Katie welcomed everyone to the meeting especially James Hirst who was elected to the committee at the AGM
Decisions:
1.Minutes of September meeting ratified.
Matter arising: The groundwork on plot5A has been completed and it now has a new plotholder.
2. Review of AGM: 2025 AGM was better attended than the 2024 AGM. The Mission Rooms is a quiet and suitable place for the meeting.
3.Waiting list: It has 3 applicants on it, two whom want full plots therefore it is necessary to consider how to advertise the society to create a longer waiting list should plots become vacant. The committee will explore advertising in local shops and the post office at Wentworth. It may advertise again in the Grapevine magazine in spring.
4. Chair’s items: The middle track is often unsuitable for vehicles in wet weather. Members are asked not to drive on it when the ground is wet because of the damage it causes and the danger that the vehicle may become stuck.
5. Treasurer’s report: £3875.06 in the bank and £98.50 in petty cash. A few 2026 plot rents have already been paid. Virgin Money will finally become part of Nationwide in April 2026; there will be no change to our account.
6. Secretary’s report: The waiting list has 2 applicants who want full plots and one applicant who, at the moment, cannot take on a plot because of domestic circumstances.
7. Neglected plots: deemed to be none now, because it is the time of year when many plots look untidy because of the weather and the season.
8.A.O.B. If livestock appear in the adjoining field the committee will check that the promised new fence has been installed by the farmer to prevent strays coming onto the allotments.
It was noted that Wentworth estates have not reported to the society about an inspection of the North Track.
Next meeting Wednesday 11 March 2026 7:00 p.m. at the Horseshoe
Meeting closed 20:10
1 October -31 March
Fires allowed only on Saturdays and Wednesdays until 1:00p.m.
Plotholders please display your plot number in a suitable place on your plot.
Harley Allotment Society committee
25 November 2022
Dogs are permitted to accompany plot-holders on the allotment site but owners must act responsibly.
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and owners must ensure they stay within their own plot.
Dogs must be under control at all times.
Any fouling must be cleared up immediately.