RUSHMERE COMMONERS COMMITTEE

Registered Charity No. 274900

 

Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 10th September
 2025 at Rushmere Golf Club commencing at 6.30pm
 

Present

Trustees

Mike Gilson Chairman

Mike Shields Vice Chair

Kev Driver

Diane Grayston

Alison Pledger

Clive Pink

Steven Reason

 

Also present

Chris Kendall (Clerk)

Bob Gosden (Warden)

 

Apologies were received and accepted from John Adams and Alan Moore.

 

This meeting was purely to discuss the proposals that Mike Shields has put forward for discussion/decisions.

 

  1. Proposal regarding Risk Assessment update

Sharps disposal box – it was decided that it would be a good idea to have this.  CP said that it should be kept locked up.  So Chris to ask RGC if they will store it, locked up, and this can then be used by the greenkeepers too.

Manual handling training – it was agreed that Bob should receive this training periodically.  Chris to organise the training, which will probably be online. (Try High Speed Training)

Signage for temporary hazards – it was agreed that we should have some signs saying ‘Warning hazard’.  Chris to order approx. 8 signs, some to be held by Bob and some by the greenkeepers.

Government charities risk assessment – Mike S to produce document and go through his proposals with Mike G.

         

  1. Proposal regarding dog waste and bags

           As we use a lot of dog bags and pay for the emptying of the waste, a discussion was had about how we could cut costs.

          Cost effective dog bags – after some discussion it was decided that we should probably stick with our current supplier via Amazon.

          Payment to greenkeepers for emptying waste bins – Chris to let Kev know how much we currently pay the greenkeepers.

          Introduction of dog bag dispenser – it was agreed that we would trial a different type of dog bag dispenser that works in a similar way to a tissue dispenser, and would hopefully encourage users to only take one or two bags at a time. This would be a Glasdon City Sack Dispenser.  This trial dispenser to be placed at Blackdown Ave.  Mike S will cost this up. If it works we could work with  the council too. In the meantime a notice will be put on a bin, as a trial, asking users to only take one or two bags to see if this reduces the volume at all.  After these trails we may consider asking for donations via a QR code

 

  1. Proposal regarding signs and logos

          Signs – Mike S suggested that we have interpretation boards at one or more   entrances to the common. It was agreed that a sub-group of trustees (KD,CP,SR  and MS) would look into this and come back to the full committee in due course.

          Logo – it was agreed that a logo would be beneficial.  Mike G thought that we already had a logo and Chris to see if she can find one in the archives.      

         

  1. Any other business

          Birds on the common – Clive suggested that we should talk about what birds are present, in the next magazine article.

          Pond – Bob asked about the meeting at the pond and about who was going to the meeting.  Bob also advised that Paul Mann would not be able to help with the pond, but that Miles Waterscapes may be able to help.  This will be discussed at our next meeting.

          Walker of pointer off lead -     Walking Paws have been advised about keeping the dog on a lead.

         

 

Meeting ended 8pm

Mrs Chris Kendall – Clerk to Rushmere Commoners