Present - Robin Morden, Sharon Graham, Ian New, Rick Martin, Cynthia Greenspan, Laurence Greenspan, Matthew Rooum, Elizabeth Bowen, Sylvia Ring

Apologies - Gerald Diamond, Jack Smith, Mike Turner

1          Minutes of Last Meeting – Not discusssed.

2          Chairman - Robin stated once again his desire to stand down as Chair and asked the committee to consider how the position might be filled. Rotating Chair perhaps?

FoCP Events 2009

3         Good Friends Café –

 The donation of £400 had been received with thanks and banked.

 There had been little activity in the autumn and none during the bad weather; re- opening at Easter.

 From the beginning Greenspans have kept Council employees fully informed of their catering operation so they were surprised when, after a year of operation, Harrow Council arranged for an inspection. The verdict was that, with the present equipment, only such things as hot drinks, crisps and ice cream could be served – no sandwiches. Greenspans have protested.

4          RSPB Feed the Birds Day and Big Garden Watch – These two events, held in January and February, had been spoiled by bad weather. Only 6 people came to the Feed the Birds Day.

FoCP Events 2010

5                    Open Garden Square Day - Saturday 12 June 2010
Friends to be in attendance from 1-5pm. NLCS is also opening at 1pm and we shall cooperate with them on leaflets.

6                    Fun Day Finance

            The balance at the bank is £3,140. Cheques to St John’s Ambulance and the band have not been cashed and £60 was banked on 3^rd March.

7                    Fun Day – Sunday 18 July 2010 -

            Budget - It was decided to set aside £1000 to spend on activities, equipment hire, and equipment purchase (6 pop-up gazebos at £69.99 each and possibly a tea tent £160).

            We think we have 6/8 tables and about 60 chairs.

            We have to pay for entertainers –

Lazer quest from Acton (60ft by 60ft) to be sited just north of the playground or in the orchard; charge either £2 or £2.50 per head for a 10 minute session; to be set up and run by its owner.

Bubble Workshop – making and blowing bubbles (subject to confirmation)

Red Train are committed to coming unless they have personal commitments (e.g. for a wedding or party on that day); £1 per ride.

            Stallholders – It was agreed that the stall holders be charged £25 in advance to avoid having to chase them for money after the event. So far 3 have paid; there will be some local groups (including Help the Heroes charity) making a total of about 30. Each stall holder receives an info sheet with the application form.

            Catering - Food stalls not to be charged in advance. Greenspans to do catering but at higher prices than last year.

            Football – Barnet to be asked by Sharon to run a penalty shootout. Robin to contact St John’s.

                                                                                                                  ACTION - Sharon & Robin

            VIPs – Robin to invite the Mayor. The local MP and interested councillors also to be invited. RM to talk to the Police and Community Support people. The original police team has moved to Stanmore and the building at the Donnefield Avenue entrance is now occupied by the Belmont team.

                                                                                                                                  ACTION - Robin

Parks Department / HBC matters

5                    Spring Bulbs – The bulbs planted by the boys of Arnold House are growing well. Derek is willing to plant more but no response from the Council. Sharon will talk to Derek and provide him with bulbs to the value of £200 from Jacques Amand.

                                                                                                                                 ACTION - Sharon

6                    Playground Equipment – The supplier could make up a slide for £2000. Dave says the Council would install it provided that it fits the available space. We have received £400 thanks to the café and there is money in the bank, so we hope to be able to action this later this year. We will do a display for the Friends stall on Fun Day inviting contributions from the public.

7                    Harrow Walks in the park – Nothing to report in the absence of Mike Turner.

8                    HA-ha and BTCV Get your pass back – The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers is organising a scheme whereby young people, who have lost their Travel Passes as a punishment for misbehaviour, can regain them through work in the community. On the first day 8 came (some were late) with Chlöe in charge and cleared the ground at the end of the Ha-ha. 1 or 2 more sessions would finish the job. Derek very cooperative. Tree stumps need to be removed as they are breaking up the brick work; the dislodged bricks are being stored in the Bothy yard.

            It was agreed that Matthew Rooum should reply positively to the group who have approached him (paying debts to society with 24 hours of work) and suggest that they do the spinney.

                                                                                                                              ACTION - Matthew

12        AGM – It was agreed that the AGM be held on Wednesday 5 May at 8pm and that we should try to find someone to speak on a suitable topic.

13        Date of next meeting – Wednesday 14 April at 8pm.