Planet Shaftesbury Meeting - Minutes - 19/02/2026

Apologies:

Robin Walter, Emma Smith, Lucy Young

Present:

Richard Thomas, Ben White,  Annie Wilson, Rachel T. Christina Strickland, Jocelyn Elson Riggins, Karen Wimhurst, Rachel Bodel, Douglas Hart, Sandra Magee, Ben White, Diana Harris

Chairperson: Ed Bersey

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Newsletter

Discussion about timing of newsletter. It would be more helpful for some if it came out at the end of the month, but that leaves a long time before the next one. Agreed that as of April it will come out later in the month, with a note in the next newsletter (March) informing folk of the changed timing.   Suggestion to share editing of newsletter and monitoring of PS emails was agreed.   People are asked to provide complete articles for newsletter together with pictures. 

Robin has agreed to be editor of the newsletter for a trial period.

Di suggested that the Newsletter editor and person that monitors Planet Shaftesbury Emails should be shared with a different one each quarter.

Next newsletter to be sent out on Monday 2 March. This will include information about the film

due to be shown by Jenny Morisetti.

Film group

Programme of films up to the autumn.  Applied to SuSAC for a grant.  Films scheduled for different times and dates.  Discussion about how to cover costs – people no longer carry cash so donations problematic.  Possible solution is to have business cards with a QR code. 

Action Ed Bersey to build page on website and create a business card.

NEB film to be shown as part of the film programme. 

Action: Karen to email Anna Baker to ensure she is in touch with Julianne and Caz. 

Reading the Land

Money received, everyone chipped in we are funding Helen Scales.  Free ticket went to Jocylin.

Advert created and submitted by Ed

Gillingham and Shaftesbury show

Discussion about resource demands of this. 

Action: Richard will try to ensure we are located in a more noticeable place. 

Vacancy for outreach and community engagement person. 

No expressions of interest yet. To be carried over as an agenda item for next month

Local food leaflet

This is in process of being updated.  Application for funding in go to Council.  Annie Wilson offers to help proofread.  Ed offered to help put map on website

Warm homes

There is a lot going on. Money coming from Government to get community to invest in warm homes. Film Powerhouse to be shown.  Item for next months agenda. 

Places for people

Robby Martin, social enterprise for housing has been in touch. 

Action: Karen offered to write and invite him to Powerhouse film. 

Funding for PS

Subject of much discussion recently unresolved.  We have no real structure in order to apply for funding.  Richard Thomas reminds us that SuSAC is a source of funds in a small way.

Rachel read out the kinds of question asked for on funding applications. Ed suggested we answer those questions on the website. 

Action Annie and Rachel to draft some new words for website to address this.

Summary for climate coalition 

Invited to take part in a survey,

Action: Christina and Rachel Bodle to complete

Food security

Following the PS event at the Grosvenor, Kensons have invited a group of PS members to visit their business this spring.

Action: Rachel to compile a list of attendees. 

AOB

* 89 percent project.  Progress?  Kerry would like more interviewees. Douglas offered having cleared this with his work.  Can we have links to interviews on our website? 

Action: KW to discuss with Kerry. 

* We are all asked to advise Rachel Bodle of events as we  know of them so they can be added to the website events list. 

*Rachel T spoke about an idea to find a way to connect people who want to grow, and people who have land.  Better follow ups after our events?    Ed offered website project page or newsletter articles. 

Action Rachel T to write something for newsletter. 

Date for next meeting.  19^th March 6.00 the Grosvenor.