AGM & OPEN MEETING: March 3rd 2011
AGM & Open Meeting: Ringwood School “PEP talk”
Chairman, Professor John Shepherd opened the Meeting with a welcome to all and an outline of the evening’s topics. He gave details of the Foraging Walk, a joint endeavour with Fordingbridge Transition, conducted by Lucy Cowles, a well-known expert. This would take place on Saturday 19th March at a cost of £10 and would be limited to 12 places.
He then welcomed Gill Hickman and 5 pupils from Ringwood School who would give a PEP TALK. This started as a campaign by the school to persuade manufacturers to use biodegradable material for yogurt pots. For this Ringwood School won the WOW AWARDS 2010, a national competition and won a £20k powerPerfector, a voltage optimiser which reduces carbon emissions by up to 20% and energy consumption by up to 20%. As a result they were invited to attend the Prince of Wales’ Garden Party at Clarence House and will meet Colin Firth in London.
Why PEP?
P For PERSUADING Manufacturers to make yogurt pots in recyclable material.
E For ENCOURAGING LOCAL Authorities to have a more effective collection service. They must collect MIXED PLASTICS . This will include PET.
P For PUBLIC AWARENESS. The public must look at the sign on the pot to make sure it can be recycled.
The School explained that yogurt pots are not made in biodegradable or compostable pots.
There are, however, two plastics which can be recycled. They are:
HDPE or high-density polyethylene that is used for plastic milk bottles. It cannot be composted but it can be recycled. However, it is only useful for plastics made in a mould, like a milk bottle shape. (HDPE No 2 in triangle).
PET is clear, tough and transparent, and has excellent heat resistance properties that make it a great plastic for food and drink containers such as water bottles. It can be recycled into PET and can be recycled at least 6 times. It is a high value plastic so recycling firms are keen to buy it. (PET No. 1 in triangle).
The pupils explained how they talked to many organisations; Yeo Valley, Rachels Dairy, Eastleigh Borough Council, Friends of the Earth, New Forest District Council, New Earth Solution, Verwood and many more locally. They are campaigning for yogurt pots to be manufactured in the same plastic as a milk bottle or a water bottle so that they CAN be recycled.
John thanked Ringwood School and wished them good luck in California, where they have been shortlisted for another award.
Coffee was then served, during which time Ringwood School handed out leaflets giving details of their PEP TALK award 2010. They also handed out a list of items which can be recycled at Ringwood School and what happens to them.
Seed swap was also available during the coffee break.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011
Apologies: Steve King.
Present: Committee members: Chairman Professor John Shepherd, Treasurer Robin Richards, Peter Brannen, Mary Harrison (standing in as Secretary}, Alan Hollands and Jean Crawford. HDCCF members: Sarah Madgwick, Edgar Moss, Debbie Shepherd and Jan Houghton-Brown.
John reported on a reasonably successful year commencing with Gardeners Question Time, Wind and Waves, Transport, Home Heating, Biomass Boilers, Frogham Fair and Bye-gone Days. Two Open Meeting had to be postponed, one due to illness, the other due to non availability of equipment. The mini recycling Centre at Hyde Shop added to local amenities.
Robin then presented the accounts showing a healthy closing balance of £601.08. Robin pointed out that the year end had been changed from 31st March to 31st December, so did not tally with last years figures. The accounts were unanimously accepted.
Election of Officers and Committee: There were no nominations for committee and the present committee were all willing to stand again. Mary was thanked for her hard work as stand-in Secretary. An appeal for a Secretary brought no volunteers.
A.O.B. A general discussion took place as to how HDCCF could attract more members. It was felt that more young people should be involved and how to attract them was discussed. Twitter was suggested, also an approach to Burgate School who could perhaps put on a drama production about recycling. It was also felt that, because of transport problems, there is a captive group of young people in the area and more should be done to tap into them, such as a modelling day of items made from recycled material. Another suggestion was to have an Open Meeting during schools’ half term, perhaps during the day. Further suggestions were for more outside activities, such as the Foraging walk; a picnic, a visit to a beekeeper, a visit to New Earth Solutions, Verwood, or a recycling centre. An Apple Day will be in held in October.
Date of next Open Meeting: 12th May 2011 at Hyde War Memorial Parish Hall at 7.30pm.
The Meeting closed at 9.30pm.
N.B. After the Meeting Debbie Shepherd kindly agreed to take on the role of Secretary.
Jean Crawford