Staff meeting – Fri, 22 May 2020

In Attendance:

Me – Chair, Designer, Maker, Publicity, Website, Everything else

Jyp – Head of Security and Apprentice

Husband – Maintenance Officer

Son – Technical Support Officer, Chief Food Taster.

The meeting started at 10 am after our daily exercise

Officers’ Reports

Chair.

The Chair began by thanking everyone for their continued efforts and support. This week had been rather a struggle at times although she was immensely grateful for the support and comfort provided by all the staff. She has planned some class get togethers for next week by Zoom and was really pleased at the positive response to these. If you are reading this and think you should have received one then check your inbox or send her a message. Additionally she has taken part in some online training resulting in a new business Pinterest account being set up and linked to her website. Not an inconsiderate amount of work! She is also working on some new Seaside Enamel earrings and pendants which have been very positively received with several pieces reserved before being finished which is hugely encouraging. It is an idea she has been trying to develop for a few years and it came together during one of her weekly drawing sessions she has started on a Sunday afternoon. The idea was to make pieces that invoke some of the peace and tranquility she feels walking along the beach, dipping her feet in the sea. During these very difficult times and the current emergency it is something that appears to strike a chord with others too. She loves to try and make jewellery that helps people feel a little better and brings them some happiness and the fact this seems to be working makes her very happy.

Head of Security

Jyp was pleased to report that the regular morning patrols were continuing. Additionally he carries out very regular spot checks throughout the day and every time the back door opens. He would really like to do this at all times and and asked if the back door could be left constantly open to facilitate this. The Chair started there was no chance of this and asked him to refrain from constantly barking every time he hears someone next door move around. It was a tad tedious and she was sick of shouting at him to remind him!

Apprentice

Jyp is continuing with his Search and Rescue duties although he has yet to find anything related to items lost in the course of the Chairs work. He was pleased though that he had been able to provide some useful commentary about new designs being worked on so felt he had more than earned his extra treats.

Maintenance Officer

Perimeter patrols continue to take place every morning. We definitely have a stripy faced insurgent targeting our property. At this stage it is unclear whether he is a lone operative or part of a larger force. Whilst we are keen to welcome and encourage wildlife there are serious concerns if it threatens the integrity of our security and borders. He is also anxious about the safety of his vegetables although most are netted or in manger beds so damage is under control currently. We are all starting to enjoy salad leaves and looking forward to radishes in the next week. A welcome addition to our weekly salad farm box. The Chair thanked him for his efforts.

Technical Support Officer

Son reported that from his study area at the end of the garden he had observed the Head of Security repeatedly jumping up to peer over the six foot fence that is all that separates him from next doors Head of Security. It is fair to say that next doors’ Head of Security regards it as rather provocative to keep seeing Jyps face as he jumps and barks simultaneously. He has indicated that there will be severe consequences should Jyp jump too high and inadvertently land in his garden! The Chair very firmly reminded Jyp this was totally unacceptable and on no account should he be tempted to mount an incursion into enemy territory! Vets were very expensive and she really didn’t want to be collecting body parts in a basket to be stitched back together! In his role as Chief Food Taster son was very complimentary about the new recipes tried their week. The Cauliflower, pea and paneer curry was an unexpected triumph!

General Business.

The dog hair, mud and excessive crockery and glasses being used continues to be a problem although all staff are contributing to the dishwasher filling and emptying so this is good. New grooming gloves are being trialled and hopefully will help reduce the dog hair in the house. This is also good.

The meeting ended. The next staff meeting is scheduled for a weeks time unless anything very important comes up before.