The 2018 Annual General Meeting, took place on 24th May in the Stella Maris Hall in St Michael’s Square. 30 people attended, and reports were given on the proposed park redevelopment and fundraising. Members were keen to see the small amount of money already available used immediately to provide disabled access to the park from the French Street entrance. The volunteer gardeners now numbered 20, and there had been successful events during the year, including the picnic in June, the stall at Southampton Heritage Day, two quiz evenings at the Duke of Wellington pub, the FEPOW ceremony in November, and carols in the park. Membership had increased from 72 reported at last year’s AGM to 99 now. A new website is being developed to aid communication with members and park users.
A new aim for the park was added to the existing two aims in the Constitution ‘to encourage activities and uses of the park that promote community cohesion, inclusion, health and wellbeing’.
With 7 members of the Committee, there was an appeal for more members to join. Anyone considering this is welcome to come to a Committee meeting to see if they would like to get involved.
After Roger Townsend gave a talk on ‘Mrs Quilter’s Vault’, the 1,000 year old vault on the High Street side of the park, several forthcoming events were announced, and then members had discussions at small tables on what they wanted to get out of being FTQP members.