. Chair’s report AGM 2025- Geraldine Aughton
We continue to meet infrequently, keeping in touch by email and phone as and when necessary. This helps to keep down the workload for myself and Jane, our excellent secretary. As always, if any member thinks we should hold a meeting in-between times, this can be arranged.
Once again, Julie and the team put a lot of effort into organising a fun day which was sadly rained off. The tombola outside the arts and crafts shelter on a sunny Saturday did very well, as in 2023. The way forward seems to be to just plan to organise a tombola and wait until the weather forecast is good.
We had two festive gatherings – an afternoon tea at the Bold Hotel and a lunch at Westminster Tea Rooms, both of which were very sociable.
Last year we sent a message of support to Mark Shaw, as requested, detailing what a difference it made to the gardens when we had a dedicated on-site gardener. However, it appears that there are no funds for this at present.
We asked Green Sefton for a report on progress in the gardens during the past year and plans for the coming months; we are pleased to welcome Katie, our Community Ranger, to bring us up to date. Some gardening has taken place on Wednesdays, when weather has permitted, now that Spring is here. Thanks to those who have been working in the gardens, and to Katie the Community Ranger who has also gardened and advised. We welcomed a new volunteer last year – Alan Reason.