Whitehill Allotment Society Web Site
Newsletters 05

This is the first re- issue of our society newsletter , once the task was taken up by one of the plotholders - who later became a chairman......It was only originally intended to be quarterly 'publication' but eventually it became a regular feature of the site and people actually do request copies if we run out.

ISSUE 1 Summer

Welcome to this, the ‘late’ summer 2005, edition of the revamped newsletter for the allotment society – please feel free to offer criticism (constructive would be nice) on items in it. If you have an interesting article or item you may wish to discuss, let me know – it works if people contribute.

This newsletter will hopefully issued on a regular basis to keep us all up to date on what’s going on & committee information etc

John G Plot 60

Firstly – HELLO!! To those of those who have joined the society this year. Many plots are being taken now and the whole area is benefiting from it. Positive comments have included how friendly it is here and how nice the people are… well of course!!

Water Supplies

The provision of a standpipe for the far end of the site has been discussed and agreed at the monthly committee meetings. The digging shall commence soon (see - can you help with contacts bit in ‘how come it never drains’ article opposite). It is anticipated to bring a supply to the lower end of the site and repair the damaged supply adjacent to the road. To install the pipe will entail having to shut the access road for at least one day please be patient and co-operative. Notice will be given at the entrance to let you know when it’s happening. Once the duct is installed we can contact the council who are arranging the appropriate connections.

How Come it never Drains?

For those not in the know, drains are a subject of heated debate over cups of tea in certain areas of the site – will they work? will they not? Well a recent working party decided that ‘’in for a penny etc’’ and rodded them through. This greatly increased the drain efficiency and looks like becoming a quarterly task – volunteers please? A more permanent installation around certain areas will be attempted using’ French drains’, linking these plots and the ones adjacent into the main drain run, this should take pressure off other surrounding plots and those downhill from them. At present the committee awaits input from the council on availability of items before a mini digger

can be sourced – can any of you offer help or contacts for this?

Wildlife Area

Good news on the aim to create a wildlife area and habitat on the two plots where the pond is located at present. The Society has had three preformed pools donated, so come the Autumn there will be activity in this area to install these and possibly clear the areas surrounding the locations to offer better access. Anticipated improvements may include wildlife friendly planting in the area & ponds and installation of bird feeding stations.

It is hoped this will be achieved over autumn / winter to aid planting and pool settling. If you can obtain cuttings of berry producing plants please let us know.

FREE GARDEN TOOLS…..Well no actually – but now I have your attention. The Society exists for all of us to enjoy our allotment gardening and for the society to keep on going it needs everyone’s help. There is the belief you get out of something what you put in, so when there is work to be done on maintaining the site please think if you could lend a hand, offer suitable advice or put the kettle on… tea, white, no sugar for me please…..

ISSUE 2 - Autumn

SITE IMPROVEMENTS

Hopefully no one can have missed the recent arrival of the materials for extra drainage works and the extension of the water mains on site. The large pile of stones, pipes etc. The weekend 29^th / 30^th October there will be no access to site for vehicles whilst improvement works go on. The committee have added some new road signage at the entrance to the site – (please remember to keep your speed down on site and there is no provision for parking on the main roadway except for loading / unloading). There is a glass stillage at the entrance to the site – if you have glass in good condition please put unwanted panes into it. The already broken pieces are awaiting removal. If you wish to take panes from it please help yourself. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) The meeting took place at the Ash Hotel, on the 9th October. The turn out was disappointing, considering the amount of plots let out. But thanks to those who attended

The committee remains the same with these persons adopting the various tasks involved to run the site.

VACANT PLOTS

The society still has a few vacant plots left. Do you know anyone interested in gardening that may not be aware of the allotments and the enjoyment you can get out of them? – if so bring them down or arrange for them to visit and see the site, if you need to then contact a member of the committee for information. We let half plots for those not wishing to take too much on initially or want to try it out to see if they like it.The aim will be to have full capacity eventually, which will benefit us all in the longer term.

MORE THAN A LICK OF PAINT…..When you are working on your plot please take a little time to think about all the effort that has to go into keeping your enjoyment and the running of the site going.

People, who care about the site and the welfare of those using it, run it for your benefit. As a committee it is hard to do things, especially if not enough people are bothered to get involved in some way or another.

The Committee cannot do everything itself. It can be very easy to criticise and complain that ‘things do not get done’ but can you say you offered help in the matter that bothers you? The team work and spirit of this site has increased dramatically over recent months and we need to keep it going – this is a society for us all to enjoy– can you help – think about it – if no one bothered, then the site would just disappear and what would you do then? What next???That’s the question the committee needs to know. What are the areas you feel need attention in 2006 – realistic attention that is. The committee will listen to any sensible suggestions to improve our site and the overall enjoyment it brings, contact a member of the committee if you have ideas or join us if you feel you can bring constructive attitudes to the site via the committee meetings. Thanks…..

FIRST AID

The site now benefits from a basic first aid kit located in the toilet block. Please feel free to use this if you require minor attention (plasters for example) if you injure yourself.

However please let someone on the committee know if you do use anything so it can be replaced - (drop a note into brown shed on plot 60)

PLOTS / APPEARANCES / RULES

With the continued improvements to the site the committee shall be discussing the rules and application of them to the site over the coming months. It is not the intention to be confrontational and go along exactly measuring plots and paths, but basic rules will be applied, with some common sense, to ensure that the site continues to improve. This is based on a reasonable expectation of what plotholders are doing with their respective plots and what impact it is having on the site overall. General rule of thumb is- ‘‘Use it, don’t abuse it or lose it’’

Stick to that kind of attitude and there will be no problems.

Plot holders must ensure that the rules regarding bringing materials onto site that do not cause obstructions or are an eyesore are observed and that the plot does not become overgrown with weeds. (Strimmer hire available weekends!)

Also important is that the pathways are being maintained and kept accordingly to allow access for inspections and adjacent plotholders use. Again check structures are well maintained – when they become dangerous they will either have to be repaired or removed. These are not new requirements or rules; just application of some of the basics to ensure the site maintains a respectable appearance for everyone and attracts new people onto it.

As part of the monthly on site reviews the committee will undertake a site walk around prior to the monthly meeting, to review the situation and the plots.

Letters and correspondence will be issued where it is appropriate that plots be given more attention and remedial actions will be detailed to clarify the situation.

The above rules are so that the committee do not inherit an eyesore should someone decide to leave. It is also so that it will not take a lot of (volunteered) work to get a plot back into acceptable order to re- lease to a new tenant.

RENT. This year the committee will collect rents on the following dates to make it easier for plotholders to do so. Please try to attend one of the times to make it easier for the committee.* SATURDAY 19th November&SUNDAY 27^th November

Between 10 AM and 2 PM

Please come to the site committee hut where a member of the committee will take your monies and issue receipts or alternatively take a little walk around the site to see who is on!! There will be a slight increase in rents this year- £33 for a full plot (£20 Leisure pass)£17 for half plot £41 for a Chicken plot (£24 Leisure pass) You can pay at any time from now on - if you see a member of the committee (cheques payable to ‘Whitehill Allotment Society’) All rents are to be in paid in full and where applicable inclusive of any outstanding arrears – if rent has not been received by the end of November 2005 the lease for the plot shall be deemed to have terminated. * *IT IS THE PLOTHOLDERS RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE RENT IS PAID IN TIME