HORFIELD & DISTRICT ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION

NEWS LETTER MAY 2009

AGM REPORT

The Important Bits

Our AGM held on the 16^th of February was a very enjoyable evening, not something you could say about every AGM you ever go to! About 50 members enjoyed a cup of tea together before getting down to the business of electing directors, accepting accounts and sharing wisdom. Here are a few of the highlights:

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT: The Chairman welcomed the high turnout of members to the AGM. He highlighted the work of the committee in their capacity as administrators and appealed for more involvement of the membership in the maintenance of the fields. The Chairman thanked BCC for their investment in the fields over the past 6 years and pointed out that this would cease after 2009. He also invited suggestions for capital works for 2009. He urged greater involvement of the membership in working parties and appealed for volunteers to come forward as field reps for Birchall and Davis following the retirement of Jo Madden (Davis) and Emma Carroll (Birchall) both of whom he thanked for their contribution to the Association.

TREASURER'S REPORT

A summary financial report was distributed to the members present. Full audited accounts are available to members on request.

The Treasurer highlighted the contribution of BCC to the apparent health of the Association’s balance sheet and pointed out that when this contribution ceases (2009) the revenue from rents will barely cover costs. He praised the work of the committee in minimising the administrative costs of the Association and noted that this contribution allowed rents to be kept at a modest level.

The Treasurer pointed out the high cost of water and urged conservation measures. He stressed the importance of working parties in keeping the cost of maintaining the fields as low as possible. (See below for more on expenditure)

ORGANIC ORCHARD:

(Email From Pauline Markovits)

Working parties start Feb 21

The car park area is to be tidied and the bank planted with soft fruit and local varieties of plum.

A notice has been posted asking plot holders to lay a tarpaulin or plastic sheet when using the car park for manure delivery.

There are some soft fruit bushes for sale (josta berries, red Pax gooseberries etc) on penultimate Saturdays. 

PRESENTATION OF TED HILL CUP & FIELD PRIZES.

The Ted Hill Cup, and a £25 garden voucher, for the most improved plot during the first year of tenancy were presented by Margaret Smith to: Jay Gowin & Suzanne

Cottle of 8b & 9b Longs ‘Best newcomer on field’ awards went to Andrea Skeen, 7 Baptist; Colin Hendy & Lauren Smart , 39 Birchall; Kay Crowe, 20a Davis & Bill Ball, 25 St Agnes.

BCC ALLOTMENTS MANAGER:

Mr Steve Clampin gave a brief and informative update on current BCC policies and forthcoming events.

The Bristol Flower Show will not be taking place this year but the Allotments Office will continue its promotional work through stalls at suitable venues including the Organic Festival on Harbour Side and possibly the farmers market. The involvement of volunteers would be appreciated. The Allotments Office will be exploring the possibility of reopening disused allotment sites around the city and will also explore ways of promoting the growing of food crops in domestic gardens. Mr Clampin confirmed the cessation of the current round of BCC funding but expressed a commitment to ongoing investment should funds become available in the future. In the meantime self managing Associations are responsible for all maintenance costs to their sites. Mr Clampin outlined the BCC policies regarding shed security and procedures in respect of neglected plots. He also announced that the rent for a large plot on a BCC site will rise by £20.00 over the next 2 years bringing the annual rent of a large plot to £60.00 in 2 years time, (this does not apply to H&DAA).

Field reps

Baptist Field Reps
19	Fiona Reid			914 9039
19	Joe McSorley			914 9039
Birchall Field Reps
11	Sally Newberry			973 5196
28	Ted Ayers- Hunt			938 0688
Grahams Field Reps
Telecoms		4	Phil Hall	969 5716
Highbury Rd		21	Alan Lock	951 4679
Longs Field Reps
16a	Mike Cooksey			924 5880
12	Roger Chainey			942 4849
St Agnes Field Reps
7	Pete Clee			975 6647
68	Ken Smith			924 1728
49	Neil Pirie (Chair)			942 7123
Davis Field Reps
24	Sarah Rhodes			942 1346
13b,13c	Ken MacNeill			942 3345
Christine Styles – Plot Manager				330 1639
John Molton - Secretary				942 2040
Brian Styles - Treasurer				330 1639

New field reps:

As you will see from the above list we have 2 new field reps, Ken on Davis and Ted on Birchall. Many thanks to them for coming forward. Many thanks also to Jo who stepped down after serving Davis as a field rep for several years. He continues to keep his corner of the field tidy.

Election of Officers:

The following Officers were elected at the April Committee meeting:

Chairman: Neil Pirie,

Secretary: John Molton,

Treasurer: Brian Styles.

Bees: Following AGM the committee agreed that in future the Association would adopt the BCC policy requiring anyone keeping bees on the site to be a member of the Bristol Bee Keepers Ass., and to inform all neighbouring plot holders of any request to introduce a hive.

Vandalism: If you experience an act of vandalism on your plot please report it to the police as well as to your field rep. The crime must be reported by the victim, your field rep can’t do it for you. Like everyone else in the public service the police are required to do everything by numbers. If we don’t report the crimes they don’t have the numbers. Complaining that things are not like the old days when you could leave your door open and your possessions strewn in the street is not sufficient for the police to include our fields in their patrols. They must have the numbers.

Reduced Rents: If you are on a low income or in receipt of incapacity benefit you may be entitled to a rent reduction. Applications have to be processed by the City Council. To obtain an application form visit the council web site at www.bristol.gov.uk, see your Field Rep or call Christine on 3301639 It is important that you do this before the end of August, don’t leave it until your rent bill arrives.

Plot Inspections: Will take place in early June. For those of you who have not experienced this before, this is the tour of inspection carried out by ‘t Committee to survey the general state of the fields, to assess the need for infrastructure improvement & investment and to draw up the short list for the 2009 plot prizes to be awarded at the next AGM. Please polish your plot number and display it prominently – you won’t win a prize if we don’t know who you are.

Neglected plots: Following plot inspections it was once the custom to send out a demand for action to those plot holders deemed to have neglected their plots. This is no longer the case. As managers of the allotments the committee has a responsibility, to the wider community, to ensure that the land we have so generously been leased is put to the intended use. The demand for allotments is very high and every unused plot represents a lost opportunity. So what happens if your plot is neglected? You will receive a letter from the secretary, John Molton, offering a choice of ways forward, including reducing the size of your holding. This letter may come at any time of the year, not just in June. If you do not respond to this letter in the stipulated time it will be assumed that you do not wish to continue your tenancy and the plot will be re-let. If you have temporary problems preventing you from cultivating your plot please alert your field rep. If you move house let us know.

THE SAME OLD STUFF – WITH NUMBERS

First the numbers ; In the last 12 months we have spent £1,000 on skips, Over £1,000 on water (despite the rain) and over £2,000 on tree removal/trimming. This represents over 40% of our rent revenue, which will be our only income in a couple of year’s time.

Rubbish: Do we need £1000 pounds worth of skips in one year? There has been some massive rubbish clearing going on but if the rubbish hadn’t arrived on site in the first place…need I say more. Your old kitchen fittings may look as though they will come in useful on your plot but trust me – they won’t. And they make the field look like a scrap yard. Which is not to say that recycling should not happen (see Jan newsletter) But anything you bring that is not used constructively within a month should be taken away again. When you give up your plot it should be cleared of all such items. Rubbish should not be dumped in hedges, car parks or the Orchard area. When leaving the site, if you are not overburdened with vegetables, take some rubbish home for your wheelie bin – never go empty handed! And if you see a furtive rubbish dumper let your field rep know.

Tree Surgery/hedges: Where your plot adjoins a hedge please try to keep the growth trimmed within the bounds of amateur capability. Trees are expensive to run when they get out of hand, they have cost us £2000 in the last year alone. Consult your field rep where major trimming seems appropriate. Please don’t bring trees from your garden to plant on site. If they are not suitable for your garden they are not suitable for an allotment site. However, hedges or parts of hedges should not be removed, this is a matter enshrined in law see:- http://tinyurl.com/cbn7em

Water: See Philip’s excellent chart below, and paste it to the back of your hut door.

Plot numbers: Every plot holder is required to ‘fix and maintain in good condition’ a conspicuously placed number board. If you have a plot on Golden Hill there are boards available from your field rep.

Huts: If you pay rent for your hut you are entitled to roofing felt and preservative, obtainable from your field rep. Please keep your shed in good condition; it is part of the Association assets. There are a lot more people about on the fields these days. Get together with your neighbours for a ‘roofing event’ if you need help.

Lock the gates: Please don’t leave field gates open. It allows access to the field to those who do not have keys and could result in a person or dog being accidentally locked in.

Manure Mr Hanham on 967 4456

Ashley Down Shop - Open Saturday & Sunday: 10.30 – 12 [FOOT OF STATION ROAD]

The following items are in response to comments from plot holders/neighbours who have experienced inconvenience/annoyance, not just the newsletter compiler being a grumpy old woman.

Bonfires:

We are now in the closed season for bonfires. No more bonfires till November please.

For several years our bonfire policy has worked very well and our neighbours have been content with our arrangements. This year however the weather pushed our rubbish burning activities into one short window at the end of February. This was the one fortnight when it was nice enough to get all your windows open and your washing out, and, unfortunately for residents of Longmead Ave, dry enough to get a fire going. So a few points about bonfires:

No bonfires at weekends, Bank Holidays or in the middle of a really nice sunny day.

No smoke please. All your combustibles should be dry and should not include weeds, grass (see ‘precious weeds’ below) or plastic.

No extended combustion events – all your stuff is dry, it should be over in less than an hour.

Do try to have your bonfire after dark, bonfire night if possible. Bring a flask.

Do put your bonfire out completely before you leave. An untended bonfire is an irresistible lure and whatever the rights and wrongs of youngsters breaking into the site, a burnt child is a burnt child.

If your field rep asks you to extinguish your fire please comply with his/her request graciously. He/She is not picking on you – yours may be the 16^th fire that week!

Precious weeds; There is a theory that the best ingredient for your compost is the weeds from your plot. This is because the weeds that grow well are the plants best adapted to extracting every last bit of nutrient and trace element from your soil. It makes no sense, therefore, to throw away or burn these weeds. If you are worried that seeds or roots of perennials will not be destroyed in your heap just put them in a bucket of water for a month. They will be stinky but very dead and can be added to your compost heap.

Poly tunnels & other constructions:

Please consult your field rep before adding any kind of construction to your plot. It has been agreed by the committee that poly tunnels can be no bigger than 10 feet by 12 feet (3mx3.65m). An additional water charge for poly tunnels has been proposed and is currently under consideration. The siting of new poly tunnels and sheds must be discussed with your field rep.

Plea on pathways – the grass paths between plots are not thoroughfares and should only be used as access to plots not adjacent to hauling ways.

Plea on parking – please don’t block the hauling ways.

Most of the above is covered by your tenancy agreement – it is your first point of reference and can answer many questions. If in doubt ask your field rep.

Community Organic Orchard

Don’t forget to visit the Orchard (top of Davis). This is a magic time of year as the blossom unfolds. While you’re there have a quick shuftie at all the different methods of pruning and training. It’s an education.

Working day

Baptist had a very successful and productive working day on the 4^th of April. This is definitely the way to go to improve the appearance and utility of our fields. Many thanks to all who contributed their time and good humour.

COMING UP

Plant Swap

Each field will have its own plant swap this year with the main event on the 16^th & 17^th of May. Tables will be provided for punters to leave their offerings at the main gates. Longs and Baptist like to run a continuing swap through the season by providing a box under the notice board; they will also take part in the main event.

September Show

To be held on

6^th September from 2.00pm

in the Monks Park Rd. entrance car park

Show categories:

Best mixed vegetable selection

Salad bowl

Fruit selection

Flowers

Children’s category: prettiest pumpkin

Misshaped Veg ( the Baldrick Award)

Best bucket of compost

Cakes

If you enter a cake please do not expect to take it home – it will also contribute to the tea tent.

Other refreshments will include BBQ & beer.

The children’s category is for under 14s. Under 14s are not excluded from the other categories.

If you can help with preparation, or on the day, please contact your field rep. Watch the notice boards for further information. This is not a high powered competitive event – just good clean fun & tea with very good cakes.

Watering Vegetables

Water is one of the essentials to make plants grow and most gardeners assume that keeping vegetables well watered will pay dividends. In fact, this is not always the case and excess water can result in rotting, leaching of nutrients, dilution of taste, poor late growth and poor keeping qualities (in onions).

All vegetables need water to start with, either from seed or when planted out. After this establishment phase is over, they usually grow very strongly and push roots wide and deep, 2 feet or more is common. This is usually early season when water is freely available in the soil and extra watering is totally unnecessary and can result in a weak root growth (with a poor subsequent performance) or the production of large amounts of something you don’t want – foliage on peas, for example. When the plant has grown, the onset of flower and seed formation, which is often the product you do want, means that the plant’s emphasis changes to the production of these and root formation stops. It is at this time that many plants need extra water and they respond very well if you apply it. Each vegetable does vary and the above is not a universal rule.

Watering technique is also important. Roots are usually deep and you need impractically large quantities of water to get enough down there. The only way to help the plant is to target the roots – light sprays over the foliage or merely wetting the ground are useless. This targeting is assisted if you build in depressions in the soil around the plant (peas/beans) or bury a bottomless bottle next to the plant roots (tomatoes). Often, though, you are just wasting time and water as the guide below shows. To give an idea of the magnitude of the task of manual watering, putting the equivalent on 1” of rain on a full size plot would require 6,350 litres, comfortably more than 6 tons!

One way of avoiding the time, expense and work of watering is to reduce evaporation by using mulch around the plants. This should be applied after watering and, if more water is needed, pulled aside temporarily whilst the extra is applied.

Here are some rules to show the effects of water on crops and the most beneficial time to apply it. Crops are divided into 3 categories: Category A: Responds well to frequent watering Category B: Water only at sensitive stages shown & Category C: Not very responsive, water only as advised

Crop	Category	Watering recommended in normal summers
Beetroot	C	Before soil gets too dry, just along the rows
Beans (All)	B	When flowering and throughout pod formation
Broccoli (Winter)	C	After transplanting
Brussels Sprouts	C	After transplanting
Summer Cabbages/Calabrese	A	Most efficient is one watering 2 weeks before cutting
Carrots	C	Before soil gets too dry, just along the rows
Cauliflower	A	See Cabbages
Leeks	C	After transplanting
Lettuces	A	Throughout their life
Marrows/Courgettes	A	Frequently once fruits form
Onion – bulb	C	Do not water in later stages
Onion – Spring	C	Before soil gets too dry, just along the rows
Parsnips	C	Before soil gets too dry, just along the rows
Peas	B	When flowering and throughout pod formation
Potatoes – early	B	When at size of marbles. Cat A if high yields are needed, but may affect taste
Potatoes – Main	B	When at size of marbles
Radishes	C	Before soil gets too dry, just along the rows
Shallots	C	Rarely needed
Spinach	A	Frequently
Swede/Turnip	C	Before soil gets too dry
Sweet corn	B	At tassel and cob formation
Tomatoes	B	To establish, then when flowering & in fruit. Too much will reduce fruit flavour

Garden Netting I get my netting over the internet from Allplas.co.uk. It usually arrives within a couple of days and each order seems to cost £6.50 + VAT in postage, so the more you order the better.

I’ve recently purchased 20mm diamond woven anti-bird netting, 6 metres x 6 metres at a cost of £22.50 + VAT. They sell it in 2, 4, 6, 8 & 12 metre widths, any length, so you could get one to cover an entire plot! I’ve also bought heavy duty (105 gsm) woven weed control fabric at £6.99 + VAT for a roll 1 metre wide by 10 metres long. Again, they do it in 1 & 2 metres wide by the metre, and in large rolls at 4 metres wide. I don’t know if it’s the cheapest, but ordering/delivery is very easy. Examples can be seen in place at 8 Baptist Field. Tip: when cutting the weed control fabric, a light wave of a blow lamp along the cut edges will singe & seal them. Philip Drew