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Whitehill Allotment Society Web Site
Newsletters 06
Newsletter from 2006 - Extracts from.....
Issue 3 January - February
Committee News Well the improvements are under way – the drainage mission was undertaken, and although we did not get as much done as we thought the results appear to be working. In Spring we may have another weekend of machinery on site to both increase the drainage runs and extend the water supply to the far end of the site – these are big exercises so keep an eye on the notice boards as vehicles will be prevented from entering site on these occasions. The committee would really benefit from more involvement from you….. even if it is only an hour or so a month? it would be greatly appreciated.
No other outstanding issues have been discussed recently – we are compiling a list of small jobs to carry out in the New Year and into Spring – please offer a hand if you see a notice going up on the board informing of dates for works – we will try to give as much notice as possible.
BONFIRE NIGHT PARTY (Although, a long time ago now!) For those who couldn’t attend on the 5th November the Bonfire Night party went with a bang!!! The weather was kind and the fire nice and warm. Thanks to those who brought food including hot pots, pumpkin soups, parkin (yum!), Chilli to name a few dishes and fireworks to make it a great atmosphere. The provision of discounted ‘barrels’ of beer from a local brewery, 3 Rivers, also helped (although the chairman was disappointed by the speed in which it was consumed!!). – note made, will order more next time! There was plenty of light from a generator & festoon lighting both in and around the hut to make it a cosy affair. It was such a success that we may organise something else in summer – a ‘Barby’ or similar? A lot of people turned up and a good time was had by all. The Committee worked very hard over the day / preceding week to ensure that the night was a success – so thanks to them also. Again – keep an eye on that notice board for possible events!!
LATE WINTER TASKS The Meteorological office classify the months of December until end of February as Winter and as all good gardeners know, sometimes in this period the keen and unwary can be caught out by the extremes of weather we can receive. Well firstly – keep warm!! . This time of year there are few things you can do. On the good days when the ground is neither to wet nor frozen solid you can finish off the digging (little and often is always the best method). Time to catch up on DIY repairs and general maintenance of tools whilst growing doesn’t rule your time. If you are digging, incorporate organic matter into the soil to settle and improve drainage and humus content. Don’t put organic matter into limed areas or vice versa for at least six weeks of each other as they react and reduce nitrogen content in the soil. Keep water butts clear of leaves, clean canes, pots and remove build-ups of materials and waste that can harbour pests or diseases. Generally though, when the weathers cold, put on the heater and kettle, get out those catalogues and have a browse – Spring will be here soon enough, take time out to relax and review the last year, the plot layout, the successes and failures and take a little time to recharge and re think ready for Spring.
ISSUE 4 MARCH
Committee News The last committee meeting in March was dominated by those who didn’t pay rent on time and needed chasing up – this was a waste of valuable time and must not happen this year. Food for thought - will anyone else think about giving a little spare time to help out? – The committee and site management are run by volunteer effort – You do not necessarily have to join the committee, but just offering to help would be of benefit. All the arrangements of works and projects plus the running / obtaining general items on site doesn’t miraculously just happen! – You may have skills we need. When you read this, think of your plot, on your site and think what you can give back – as a member of the association isn’t it about time you offered to help a bit? - You are part of a society.
Gripes about the site are unfounded and unwelcome when they come from people who don’t help out. On the ‘flip side’ constructive criticism is always welcomed.
VACANT PLOTS
Great news for the Society. Space is getting limited on site! Enquiries have increased – even before the really good weather starts, so a good sign that those taking plots have commitment to keep them. Those plots that need working over will get a looking at soon – but please offer some help by talking to the committee members about assisting to get these cleared when the skip arrives. We do not want to ‘waste’ (pardon the pun) an opportunity like this.
ISSUE 5 April - May
Committee News Appended to this bulletin is a letter containing important information on the society from the committee and the manner in which the committee is being both run and the direction it shall take in future in regards to influencing change and enforcing the rules.
Please read it carefully and post your replies to the questionnaire, with comments as appropriate into the post box located to the outside of the committee hut, just under the large notice board or alternatively give them to a member of the committee when you are on site. WATER - FACILITIES AND USE For those who may not have noticed - the extension of a functioning water standpipe and tap almost directly opposite the site hut has been installed and, when the frosts have ceased, this will be turned on. Please can you ensure that you yourself save water from your shed roof to minimise the amount taken from the mains supply. Also please remember that there are water butts on the downspouts from the committee hut that can be used for flushing the toilet (especially during the winter turn off) and for watering during the summer months.
Issue 6 is missing from the files ....
ISSUE 7 Autumn
Committee News / Changes
AGM RESULTS The Annual General Meeting was held on the 8th October at the 3 Rivers Brewery on Greg Street, thanks go to those who attended. There have been a few changes that will affect the site and the running of the committee over the coming year. Due to the resignation of D Hewitt as the chairman this post was vacant and has been taken, after due process by John Grimshaw, plot 60. If you didn’t know him before - you will soon!!! We wish Damien well on his plot and thank him for the hard work he has put into the site over his tenure as the chairman. His work commitments have meant he has to reduce his input, although he remains an active and valuable member of the committee, when time permits. Secondly the treasurer’s position was contended and this has now changed from Dave Oldham to ‘Big’ Phil Bryan – say no more. Ruth McKenna remains as plot allocation contact and Mike Kiernan is the society Secretary. All the Officers of the committee are striving to redefine their roles and push forward to encourage the continuing positive image of the site. Over the coming months you will hopefully be asked to assist in small projects to improve the site in anticipation of next years growing season. This may mean a certain amount of disruption to access for roadways etc in relation to vehicle access – but we shall inform you all in good time – plus we will need your help. Keep your eyes on the notice board as you come into the site for updates It’s your society ………ThanksLastly keep your ears open for the call to a brew on Sundays in the hut – all welcome (a little bit of organising but it will happen!)
No Room at the Inn……. For those who may not have noticed, the use of allotments is definitely getting more popular again. Over the last three months there have been a lot of enquiries as to the availability of vacant plots. We are now fast approaching full capacity, which is very good news. In fact we shall soon be looking at starting a waiting list for potential plot holders!!! This is thanks to the raising of the profile of the site with the likes of liaison with Stockport Council and the Internet web site. Both of these actively feed information to people who did not realise we are here and offer routes for contact. If you need advice on plot allocation or know of someone who wants one talk to Ruth McKenna on site about it as she is the plot allocation officer.
VACANT PLOTS / RENT UPDATE The prices for the rents stay the same this year with the exception of leisure passes – the council NOT the committee have reduced the discount applicable in this case. He price is being ascertained by the treasurer at this time and is subject to confirmation. There will be notices around the site (with the prices), specifically on the gates, informing of the dates and times the that you can come to the hut and settle your tenancy payment for the forthcoming year. Please note that this year if your rent is not paid by the 31st December 2006 then it will be deemed that the plot is available for re letting and that you no longer wish to maintain the tenancy agreement. The committee shall not be chasing tenants for rent monies and shall be applying the site / society rules that state it is the tenants responsibility to seek out the treasurer (or another committee member) to settle the rent. If you are having trouble with the payment then you can, of course, talk to any committee member in confidence and we shall try to assist were circumstances allow.
It is also worthy of note that there is a lot of interest in the site from prospective allotmenteers (see the previous page.)
CompetitionSome may remember that earlier in the year Whitehill Allotment site entered the Kitchen Garden Magazine ‘allotment of the year’ competition. Unfortunately the competition from other sites was intense and we were not short listed (this time)..However there was a reply thanking us and commenting favourably on the entry that was sent in. But…Stockport Council were very impressed with the site whilst attending to mark the entries to this years SMBC allotments competition and suggested that, based on their overview, we should have entered under the ‘most improved’ site award – well next year we aim to and give them a list as long as your arm on what has happened over the last two years!
Social Side of the plots:-If anyone can remember, early in 2006, the committee asked people to reply to a questionnaire about what, if anything needed improvement – thanks go out to the six or seven that replied!!!!!! Putting that disappointing result to one side – one of the questions was: ‘why not a bit more of an informal social side to the site?’ With this in mind and after consideration we have decided that if people are willing to come on the site on the Saturday closest bonfire night we may be having another bonfire party. We will also be approaching a local real ale establishment (again) to see if we can obtain some beverages at reasonable rates. All we need then is a few folk to help set up the generator and lights as well as prepare some pans of hot pot / pumpkin soup etc. All those who attended lasts years ‘extravaganza’ were not disappointed at all. Bring your own fireworks and a beverage (just in case). It is also proposed that the venue for the AGM, the ‘3 Rivers Brewery’ be contacted and a brewery tour or two arranged after the Christmas period. All at reasonable rates of course!!! We bet some of you will apply for that excursion (for those who do not know it is round the comer from the site about fifteen minutes walk). Info will be posted on the site notice board or talk to the Chairman (Plot 60) about it. Until Issue 8 – keep on digging!!!!!
ISSUE 8 Christmas - Early Winter
Committee News / Site Improvement Programme The committee is moving forward over the winter period with a site improvements programme anticipated to be completed by spring 2007. However we need your help and more plot holders are coming forward to do so– many hands make light work and we will need support over the coming months - show you actually care, lend some assistance please. To those who have already assisted in getting tasks completed quicker than they would have,many sincere thanks (especially from the committee officers)– it is much appreciated by the regular few who help out around the place. Other than that we are progressing in a defined, measured direction with a touch more drive and enthusiasm about the whole site being evident throughout. The committee is also now establishing itself in a more positive, pro active role so results should be visible to all on site over the coming year.OBITUARY It is with great sadness that the committee has learnt that Denis Greaney from this site has recently passed away, below is the family notice from the Manchester Evening News. He will be sadly missed pottering around with his tractor and chatting about his life on the farm, back in Ireland, and drainage on site!!!!
GREANEY (DENIS) - Fortified by the Rites of Holy Mother Church, Denis formerly of Co Galway Ireland and Stockport, passed away peacefully in hospital on November 15 2006 aged 72 years. Devoted Husband to Anne, loving Dad to Ann, Michael and Anthony, cherished Grandad to Rebeka and Thomas, a dear Father-in-Law, Brother to Patrick and Thomas. Also a dear Brother-in-Law. Denis will be sadly missed by all his Family and many Friends. RENTS Members of the committee have been on site most Sundays (if not all!) since November and for those who have not paid its deadline time!!! – You have until 31st December to put a cheque in the post box or find a committee officer to pay or else your tenancy is void. Letting of Plots. If you know of someone who wants a plot let Ruth know and the average turnover of tenants means that it may be possible to get a plot through the course of the year. If they aren’t on the list then we won’t know to contact them!Autumn Tidy
Unfortunately discussions with the council have revealed that we will not be getting a skip in the foreseeable future due to their budget constraints.
As you all should be aware there is no guaranteed provision of this and the subject is covered in the rules of the tenancy.
Please remove as much waste as you can off site yourself in the meantime. This would assist in keeping the site looking good.
Also please clear your plot if it has debris of an unsightly nature on it, as well as your paths – all these issues are covered by the rules and shall be started to be enforced over the coming months – you have been told!!!!
You are responsible for the path to the right of your plot looking from the top down. EDITORS/ CHAIRMANS THOUGHTS A Summary of 2006 It has been a good year on site; the weather has been good to us even after that bad start. There have definitely been more uptakes of plots and happily, we appear to ‘buck’ the national trend of 80% of tenancies failing within a short period of starting on a site. It goes to prove that once here very few leave! The increase of plot holders has rejuvenated the middle section of the site and improved the appearance immensely, this is not to forget this equally applies to those of you on the other plots around the site as well (don’t want to get into any trouble there!). There is definitely an air of optimism around. People are getting more sociable and at weekends there is a friendly and fun atmosphere about the place that makes it a pleasure to visit, talk and occasionally work on! It was sad to hear of Denis’s passing away the committees thoughts are with his family at this time. As a final point for this section, it is undoubtedly the fact that most people are pulling together that makes the site as good as it is, there are a few ‘rough edges’ that need smoothing, but on the whole I , and I know most of you, will look forward to the challenges that await us all on the plot in 2007– until then Hoe Hoe Hoe!
COMMITTEE OFFICERS REQUEST
Please remember that all the persons on the committee – especially the officers, work hard in their own time to organise things and sort out issues with plots and the council – please try to take this into account when you want something doing – can you offer to do something yourself?– these people have plots to look after as well!!!!
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