AGM
28th May 2025
MINUTES OF AGM MEETING FOR NEWPORT AND WORMIT IN BLOOM ON 28th MAY 2025
The meeting opened at 7.00p.m. and Fances Durward, Chairperson , introduced herself and extended thanks to the president of the Bowling Club, Billy Marshall for allowing the company to use their facilities.
The guest speaker was Sally Lorimore and her lecture was entitled “Over the Garden Wall’
Apologies were given by Heather Wilson, Johanne, Kirsteen Cruikshanks and Cllr Jonny Tepp.
Those attending were offered copies of the meeting’s agenda, the accounts and the minutes of the previous AGM in 2024.
The minutes were adopted by attendees.
Frances gave a short summary of the work carried out by volunteers this year and illustrated it with a powerpoint presentation.
There are 70 street planters in 31 locations. Bedding plants have been renewed in May and October with the addition of perennials to prolong flowering. Locals have readily commented on how attractive the planters are. The organisation is now in it's 15th year.
There are 24 volunteers each manning approx. 2/3 planters. In addition there are “growers “who add to the collection of plants both for display and to sell at the twice yearly plant sales. In addition plant watering has been carried out by Sandy Douglas and Adam Olejnik using the bowser which has been restored at Peacehill Farm by Peter Forster.
New volunteers, Margaret Wright and Lee Newinswere welcomed.
Generous funding has been received from Fife Council as well as help with replacing and filling planters .
The Sunrise Trust has again awarded funding and this has been used to buy new Hi Viz jackets with the logo included. Their committee and Chair Stephen Rottger were thanked. Everyone was delighted to welcome Willie Rennie and MSP Wendy Chamberlain as well as Cllr Jonny Tepp to the In Bloom garden Party in the summer.
As well as the above mentioned , funding was received from Tesco Golden Award. This award enabled In Bloom to purchase new planters and to refresh the paintwork on the boats. Thanks must go to the Fife staff who helped replace the planters and fill them with their gifted compost.
The intention is to continue to gradually replace planters where necessary.
Members of the community have very generously contributed to our funds.
These include:
Steven Stewart Funeral Directors
Stanford Motors, Wormit Spar,
Tessa Durham Memorial
North East Fife Inner wheel
North East Fife Rotary and Probus Club
Newport on Tay Probus
Doreen Robertson, Wormit Watts,
Eileen Langlands, Stanley Gordon
Margret and Ray Moodie
Easy funding
Manna, Duncraig Joiners
May Kinnely, Mr & Mrs Berry
George Rodger, Mojo Interiors
Eleanor Hynes and anonymous donors.
Frances went on to mention the planting of the crab apple tree in Coronation Gardens in memory of Tessa Durham , a founder member of Newport and Wormit in Bloom who is sadly missed by us all.
Charity tins are located in the Library, Fig and Fromage, and now the Leuchars Butcher’s. The plant tray at Natural Energy is no longer to be in use.
Xmas wreaths were sold at Manna and Frances also raised funds by giving Wildlife Photography talks to the local Probus and Rotary Clubs.Frances also made a podcast with Simon Rankin, Newport on Tay News which was heard by many and produced 2 new volunteers.
The plants were ordered through Growforth via Marion Todd who does an extraordinary job of ordering and storing the plants in her garden. A huge “thank you “was extended to her.
The first annual Art exhibition was held during the Newport Festival and was a huge success with over 100 entries. A 2nd competition will be held this June with both primaries, the nursery and playgroup involved.
The committee members staying on for a further year are the Office Bearers-Frances Durward Chair, Cynthia Robb Secretary and Gill Owen, Treasurer. There was a block vote by attendees
Frances finally thanked all the committee and volunteers who have worked to make the In Bloom a success.
Gill Owen the treasurer gave her report:
Treasurer’s Report for AGM 28th May
The financial accounts for both Newport and Wormit for the year ending 31st March 20025 were distributed.
There are separate accounts for Newport in Bloom and Wormit in Bloom although one committee runs both groups. Having two separate accounts means that each group can apply for council funding.
We have had a successful year of fundraising, leaving both bank accounts in a very healthy position. The surplus for the year on the Newport account is £1096 and £6233 for the Wormit account.
This amount includes the Tesco Golden Award of which we have spent roughly one fifth on new planters. We can now be confident that we have sufficient funds to replace more planters if necessary.
Last year, our summer plant sale raised over £800 and our Christmas fundraising events made over £600.Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters for making these events so successful.
During 2024/25, we spent £1263 on plants. This is our largest recurring expense. We purchased more perennial plants and bulbs. This should reduce our spending on annual bedding plants. The spring flowering bulbs made a great show this year.
We all miss Tessa Durham, a long time volunteer and past chair of In Bloom, who passed away last year. We were grateful to receive £625 of memorial donations in her name.
Finally, our thanks go to Gavin Robertson for auditing the In Bloom accounts again. He has retired but kindly agreed to continue auditing our accounts.
Adoption of the financial report by those present.
Over the Garden Wall
Sally Lorimore was introduced , and her talk gave us an insight into the detailed planning involved in designing and bringing into existence the beautifully arranged garden which is now a delight to visitors.
There were areas of related and homogenous colour in the planting, and consideration was given to the condition of the soil and the plants that would flourish.
Each area had its own identity with sympathetic planting , attention given to colour and texture at all times. The talk was supported with a very comprehensive slide show .
The assembled company were treated to an instructive tour of Willowhill Garden and the talk was very well received.
A raffle was held in aid of Newport and Wormit in Bloom with a very generous collection of prizes donated by the local businesses.
The meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.
