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Whitehill Allotment Society Web Site
Newsletters 07
Extracts from Newsletters published over the 2007 period- most are here to illustrate how and what the problems have been in making the site the hive of activity it is now and the problems we , as a committee faced in getting the message across that a society is a membership of individuals who all pull in the same direction with a view to ultimately improve a common cause.
MARCH 2007 - ISSUE 11
This issue contained an open letter from the secretary to the members as follows.... From Mike Kiernan (Secretary)Dear friends, You will know that we recently sent letters to certain of our members in respect of the condition of their plots. Most have responded positively and have acted to address the particular problems raised. Much of this concerned the removal of broken glass, which represented a safety hazard, after the recent storms. In other cases, it had been noted by the committee that there was a lack of activity on certain plots for a length of time, or that the general condition gave cause for concern. We recognise certain circumstances can give rise to inactivity and we accept that some plot holders may have valid reasons for this, such as illness, or moving house or caring for a relative who may be ill, or similar. However, the committee cannot accept ‘excuses’ for people not working their plots. Even we, as members of the committee, are not above the rules. Some might consider that in applying the rulebook, the committee is being ‘harsh’ with people; I can assure you that is not the case. It is simply that, for once, we are beginning to manage the site properly. We are also adjusting to new realities in the realm of allotment gardening. All over the Borough, many allotment sites have a waiting list. Our site too, is close to full capacity. This has been due to a resurgence of interest in allotment gardening, with many younger members / families taking up the activity. I have been impressed with some of our newcomer’s enthusiasm. The therapeutic and health benefits of allotment gardening have long been recognised. The physical exercise of digging and tending a plot, helps with general fitness and simply pottering about is a wonderful stress-buster, for people who lead busy lives, as most of us do nowadays. Our own site was set up in 1892, under the Public Health Act. At a recent SMAGA (Stockport Metropolitan Allotment Gardening Association) meeting at the Town Hall, attended by members of your committee, the council’s representative, Jonathan Long, said that a list was being drawn up of sites, which have vacant plots, including plots where there has been little or no activity. This could mean more notices to improve or quit being issued. Working an allotment is not for the faint-hearted and for those who consider that the activity has become too much, or where circumstances are such that it prevents the plot being worked and there is a valid reason that it has to be given up, we accept that and there is no shame in it. But if for some reason you are experiencing difficulty, but intend to continue with it, we want to know as a committee, then we can proceed accordingly, but bearing in mind we want to see resumption of activity within a reasonable period and decisions are made by the committee for the benefit of the site as a whole. If the latter is your case, please write to me, as secretary and place your letter in the post box at the member’s hut. Please do not simply ignore or leave it. Another problem we wish to address is our member’s listing. On occasion, there have been those who have changed their address, which makes contacting extremely difficult. In other cases, we have no contact telephone number, so if your shed or greenhouse is damaged, or if other matters need attending to, it is not possible to contact people. So please let me have your contact details as soon as possible, so we can update our records. (You can use the slip at the bottom of the page) Please be assured that such records will only be used for society purposes and no other. We are improving as both a society and an allotment site. There is now a more positive feel at Whitehill. As your committee, we have been working on your behalf to improve facilities at our site. You will be aware of the work we have done recently, extending the water supply around the site. Although we now have more taps, bear in mind that if more than one tap is used at once, the pressure may drop and the flow reduced to a trickle. In that case, it may be better to wait until the other person has finished filling up. We also now have two bigger ponds on the wildlife area, one of which is filling up with ground water, the other will have a liner installed and will be filled from the other pond, which is doing so naturally, acting as a sump for the site. Rainwater will do the rest. We intend to do some planting and maybe turfing around the ponds and in time, we may see fish in there, alongside the frogs and newts. The wildlife area is also to be fenced off and young children will only be allowed in under parental supervision, for safety reasons. We will also be doing some more work one weekend, with the digger, to improve drainage on the plots opposite the wildlife area, to take excess water across the roadway. We will also shortly be changing the lock on the hut, which was once considered to be a ‘committee’ hut. This has for some time been turned over for the use of all our society members, but was only open when a committee member was present, with a key. The lock will be the same as the main gate, so anyone can go in, but if you have a brew, please leave a small voluntary donation so we can replenish tea and coffee etc. We also have a small gas fridge, which we will connect up in the summer, for cold drinks. Remember also that his room must be kept clean and tidy (some basic rules will be posted in there) – if this facility becomes a chore for the committee to clean and maintain then the lock will be changed back again. When Sue Dymond was our opposite number at the council, I told her that I wanted our site to be a showpiece. That still remains the goal and ultimately, I would like us to win awards with it. We have a little way to go yet, but we’re heading in the right direction. Possibly not this year, but definitely next, we hope to enter for ‘Most Improved Site’ within the annual SMBC Allotment awards scheme. We can only do it with the help of all our members. Please help us to achieve that goal.
Best wishes and good gardening – From your Committee.
JULY 2007 - ISSUE 12
A FULL HOUSE! Thanks to all the effort put in by a lot of our members and of course the committee – Whitehill Allotment society is full and has a waiting list. This must be the first time in a while and is good news as far as our status in the borough, protection of the site and the appearance in general. After all the work in the first quarter of this year the committee would like to thank all those who came down to help , even in the smallest way they could , without this effort it would have been hard to achieve the improvements we did – it is unfortunate that there are still plots requiring improvement but this is becoming the exception rather than the norm! The committee is pleased with the progress on site so far and will work hard over the winter period on other projects to further enhance the site & facilities – so keep an eye out for notices asking for a little help.
Your Paths, near the road, other bits’n’pieces – strim or cover.. The choice is yours…. Please think about the paths around and to the rear of your plot – keep them clear and accessible, strim them down or pave them over- the choice is yours – but they must be kept clear – access is needed to inspect them at the very least. If you have a plot and are only using half – that’s fine – BUT please either strim down the bit you’re not using or cover it over. Do it soon as well please. This may be the subject of the next committee inspection and certainly would raise questions as to proper use by the council in relation to tenants on site and their impending audit (mentioned elsewhere – read on) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Absolute Rubbish……
DO NOT let anyone you do not know drop off materials or things such as old double glazed units onto site – if you want something then be here to accept it. DO NOT Put materials on the roadway or opposite against fences – all fences are to be kept clear, its in the rules – put stuff SAFELY on YOUR plot.. Think a bit please. You can put some rubbish into sacks and arrange with a committee member (Phil) to have it removed if we have time 0 there will be no skips anymore from the council due to the landfill charges pushing the price of a walk in skip, fully laden to about £1.000 a go – with a budget of only £6.000 a year you can see why! Please DO NOT put anything into a trailer without asking – this service is voluntary (a word you see a lot of in this edition of the newsletter). You are responsible to move your waste form site before it becomes unsightly or a nuisance.
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SMBC – NEW ALLOTMENT OFFICERS APPOINTMENTS. Recently the council has appointed two allotment officers for the borough on a ‘job share’ basis. This is a great step forward for us all with the council confirming it has a commitment to the allotment movement in the borough– societies and members alike. For everyone’s information they are based at Reddish Vale Community Gardens. However at present they are still ‘finding their feet’ so we, as a committee, are assisting them wherever possible. As part of their fact finding and sorting out of the allotments in the borough in general they are to visit the site to conduct an audit of various criteria – as a committee we will be informed of what these are and will try to let you know if we get them in good time, however you need to look at the site rules and ensure you are following them – from now on the committee will be enforcing them (not necessarily too strictly!) so as to show the council that Whitehill is a responsible, pro active site that ensures the best use in the best way of the plots etc. So appreciate that if we have a word, drop you a line or send you a note that this is for a good reason.
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Whitehill and SMAGA That’s SMAGA not SAGA!!! – SMAGA stands for Stockport Metropolitan Allotment Garden Association; it is an umbrella organisation separate from the council that our ‘subs’ help support. The association was set up many years ago to offer sites, associations and members a voice that can help with the running of the allotments and allow a bit of accountability on this from the council themselves. Members of our committee regularly give up free time to attend meetings at the town hall to discuss the initiatives, proposals and general welfare of allotments in the borough and have a nosey at what other sites are doing and the problems they face. In fact the Chairman here has volunteered to be the Safety and Environmental contact for SMAGA. This is voluntary but none the less offers our site a voice in the bigger picture of things …..
ISSUE 14. EARLY WINTER - DECEMBER 2007 Voted ‘Most Improved site in Borough 2007’SMBC / SMAGA Awards Scheme As a committee , it is pleasing to see that all the work over the last 12 to 18 months has paid off with some recognition from the council that this site is definitely ‘going places’ Firstly, and on a personal note, a big thanks to those who have helped out. To those who do not think that it is important to maintain a good site then I suspect you are not interested in the fact that you benefit from the efforts of others. To those who cannot help for one reason or another but offered moral support, thanks for the encouragement; it is most appreciated when it looks like it’s getting too much. There is always a ‘but’ – most members of the society could help out in some way – just coming down and putting a kettle on would be great – those who have turned up on various projects have all found that apart from it being a bit of work we have had a laugh and the sense of achievement is immense – so good on you! - John G Chairman
------- ------ ----- ------ ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ --- WHITEHILL COMMITTEE AWARDS 2007 This year the committee again awarded the trophy for‘Most Improved Plot’We are proud to announce that the following plot has a gained this award for 2007 Plot 06 Mark ‘Scaffold Man’ Robinson & Family Congratulations and good on you far all the hard work you have put into your plot the last twelve months.
---- ---- ---- ---- ------- --- ---- ----- ----- ---- ----- ------ ------ ---- Recent Break-ins No one could have missed the fact that we have had to re lock the gates due to the fact that a set of keys was lost and then used to get onto site and decimate it – all sheds were broken into, most were affected in some way or another and the machine store had all the rotovators and strimmers taken (including a couple that were lent out from members for our use) Not only that but a week or so later we have suffered again – this time the last of anybodies good gear taken. So the rule of thumb – do not keep anything in your shed that you cannot afford to lose applies even more so. Also please put any hand tools away safely or think about taking stuff of site.
A lot of plotholders are now leaving only the basics here and bringing stuff from home and coming down for the day – the reality is that this is something we will have to tolerate and there is little that can be done However if you have suffered damage then get it reported to the police on 0161 872 5050 the more reports they get the more chance that a patrol will stop off occasionally to check the site – complacency is always a problem – you can help the site and others very easily by doing this.
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INDIVIDUAL PLOT CONCERNS The committee walks the site once a month, on average, and now we are seeing the improvements to the overall site there will be a bit more of the application of some rules. Don’t panic! – These will be mostly in the areas of rubbish accumulation, pathways maintenance and weed control. As a tenant please remove waste in a timely manner and do not store items that could hurt or harm someone. If you bring stuff onto site then remember that when it is waste you have to be able to get rid of it – it is not the committees or the council’s job to tidy up after you…. Also get your paths in order – we need to walk down them to inspect the site and many are needed to allow persons to access the hut facility. Get them trimmed, levelled and looked after -they are part of the tenancy agreement (right hand path is your to look after) Weeds – get your plot strimmed and covered if possible – but do not let the weeds get tall and spread seed – if you have a full size plot and cannot manage it can be halved – the requirement to look after the fallow areas is your responsibility – get it seen to. Why should the unused part look like a meadow?
------------------------------ BONFIRE NIGHT SOCIAL What a night – the hut was packed out – so much food and a great atmosphere – what a good time – thanks to all those who made it to the site and made it a night to remember. We had it all – hot pots, chilli, pizzas not too mention (a special mention this one) the lovely home made cakes – and from me a thanks for the butternut squash buns – yummy! So after all the expenses were taken out and the outlay covered the society made £43.60 – a princely sum for what was a couple of hours get together. Phil loved playing the host and head chef, Mike lit the fireworks (eventually and me), well I enjoyed the buns and organising the setting up the hut! Next we are planning a barbeque in the Spring / Summer so keep your eyes peeled in 2008.
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SMBC / SMAGA & Whitehill Committee Working together to benefit you all…. It is appreciated that many members of our society do not know what it involves being on the committee and the manner in which we try to promote your site in the wider allotmenting community. No allotment is an island unto itself! With this in mind and to let some of you into what goes on, the following article will enlighten you into just what it takes when you are an officer of the committee, with the desire, drive and commitment to see that the allotments not just here at Whitehill but in the Borough progress and remain viable to the council and to us. Initially the roles on the committee were mostly insular, in-so-far as the task was just to run the site with the council and act as a basic liaison for ordering materials, repairs etc – This was extended over the years to being a focal point for the council to approach with ideas and likewise for us to get our thoughts across on a variety of issues. In the last year certain members of the committee have made a concerted effort to improve relations with the council and seek information in conjunction with SMAGA, Stockport Metropolitan Allotment Gardening Association. This being an umbrella organisation representing allotment concerns over the borough and independent from the council, as well as being affiliated to the National Society of Allotment Gardening (NSALG) – a powerful force in allotment gardening, so powerful that if any allotment land is to be disposed of then they must be consulted on it by the Government before any decision is made! To this end the council and SMAGA hold meetings at the Town hall to discuss the opportunities and problems facing the member societies. Whitehill has become synonymous with being outspoken and influential in these meetings and by trying to impart a sense that the council can only help those who help themselves. In fact Whitehill is at the forefront of organising things such as health and safety advice to other committees and is always willing to pass on experiences that have been gained during our impressive turn around from a site with overgrown and some vacant plots to a full house! This is in our spare time – yes we do it because we care about wider issues, but we also do it from a selfish viewpoint – we can protect our plots as well!!! So when we ask you for a bit of help – or just ask you to tidy your plot, then that is something you should be doing anyway, nothing extra, nothing onerous – please, think of the bigger picture because if we didn’t then this place would be in a whole heap of trouble. Thank you - from the active committee members. (Can I get off my soap box now?)
------------------------------- LOCAL AREA FUNDING After applying for numerous grants – some of which we will not hear a decision about until late January 2008. I would like to inform you that the committee has been busy and secured funds that will allow the hut on the wildlife area to be refurbished and turned into a small ‘classroom’ which we will allow Whitehill Primary School to increase the learning of the younger end of the school age group in regards to allotments and wildlife. We will require some assistance to paint the outside, lay a new floor and plumb in the sink and washing facilities – but it looks good already so it can only get better.
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