LITTLE MOOR ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Early Summer 2007

Hello folks,

in haste, but I hope to improve as time goes by!

No, it’s not Peter – its Jim (Lowery – at the shop on Sunday’s – if we haven’t met I’m sorry, we will soon, if we have – it’s good to talk!!!)

At a recent committee meeting it was decided (if not agreed!) that I would be our new Assistant Sec. and could take minutes when Peter was not about - a couple of times recently – AGM and April committee meeting. I also mentioned in passing that I would look after our newsletter and in the time it takes to reply to an email these days – you are stuck with me so here goes!

Another new year on the plot has seen an influx of new allotmenteers – a very big welcome to you all, and happy gardening. Just because you have come off our waiting list and now have a plot to look after doesn’t mean that you have to go it alone – sure, our 3 months - ‘get it up and running, then we’ll look/see’ is a checks and balances mode for the committee, however we are always there to help you get underway and offer advice if you need it. In most cases it works. If you do struggle to get underway then talk to us (the committee)!

The AGM earlier this year outlined our year and the calendar gives us all the opportunity to join (at will) with our events programme.

Coming soon is our Open Day and Scarecrow Competition – I hope as many of you as possible will join in to the event. Last year saw our biggest ever entry (all free!) and in spite of the rain, we had a very successful turnout with some fabulous entries. Let one of the committee know that you will be entering, if you haven’t done so already, (it will help us plan the goody-bags for the kids!) and turn up on the day (Sunday June 17th to erect your scarecrow on the green area (North/East side) at 10.30a.m.) Don’t forget that this will also be our Open Day when we invite local residents to view the event – and this year there will be a treasure hunt for the young gardeners (which may keep them occupied during the judging!!!)

After that, the sunflowers will be measured on Saturday August 18th – we’re looking to beat 13 feet this time!! Followed by the heaviest marrow weigh-in on Sunday 19th August – followed by a BBQ (details later)

Our current major project is well underway and 4 raised beds with surrounding flagstone perimeter is in place. Soon, a flagged pathway from a new gate will be completed, which means that even a wheelchair will have access. Water, from a newly installed bath is complete. I am awaiting confirmation from grant applications for funding for the greenhouses and sheds for the project. However, we do have 4 raised beds in place and we expect funding to follow to allow us to build a shed and greenhouse for each.

The idea behind the project is to allow our gardeners who find it difficult to manage their plot but want to stay on Little Moor to apply for one of the raised bed plots – situated on the north end of the site. Rent for the plot will be at the full-plot rate with the usual discounts plus a one off £50 deposit for the shed and greenhouse (when they are installed). If you are interested in one of the plots – talk to the committee now!) If there are no immediate takers for the project we will consider creating a waiting list from other interested people who would otherwise be unable to add their name to our current list for allotments.

Newcastle Allotment and Garden Show

September will bring us around to the Newcastle Allotment and Garden Show at the Civic Centre in Newcastle. A time to show off and see what has been happening around the allotments in Newcastle. Essentially, it is in two parts – each open to every one of you. Everyone can receive a show schedule which outlines the various classes of the competition and gives details of what to show – how many spuds, how much leaf to leave on the carrots, etc. The other part often happens in the background – BUT each allotment site can put forward names for some categories in the show – best plot with glass, best half plot, best newcomer, best organic gardener etc. During June, the committee will be looking around our site for potential contenders and they could be put forward for the show.

We also have our own Little Moor Trophies to match some of the categories and these are awarded at our A.G.M. in January In the past, our gardeners have done very well in this part of the City Show – as can be seen from the names on some of the trophies. There are guidelines which help prospective entrants to know what is being judged – quantity and variety of crops, quality of produce, condition of buildings, seasonal produce – etc. etc. If you are keen to be considered, ask one of the committee for a copy of the guidelines and get cracking – its good fun, until you realise that 10 points rest on being totally weed-free – and the compost hits the windmill!! (Weeds still grow in June and July!!) Seriously though – you can do it! A lot of Little Moor gardeners have made it into the glare of the photographer’s flash in the Civic Centre and there is some satisfaction from taking part.

On a more business note – the treasurer reports a healthy bank balance - in part due to the hugely increased sales in the shop, boosted by associate membership from nearby allotment sites and increased local individual associate membership, but also because more and more of you are ‘dropping off’ excess produce and plants to be sold. We are happy to do that, but please help us by putting a label into a pot which gives a name/variety to what you give us for the shop – everything helps!!!

To open up a great debate – how do we want it spent? I’ve heard it said that we should discontinue the rent subsidy and spend more on site improvements!!!!

It would not be consistent to complete a newsletter without a moan - here goes – we no longer have skips provided by the Working Group to remove rubbish from our site.(They simply cost too much!) The local Council team come in fairly regularly to remove rubbish from both sides of our site – but they do it as a favour – not because they have too! It makes sense then, to ask all of you to take your rubbish home and put it in your wheelie bin – if you brought it onto the site then please take it away when you no longer need it.

Finally…..

• A plea for help in the shop – if you can spare just a couple of hours for one week it would help enormously – and thanks to those of you who have already done a stint – I hope it wasn’t too demanding

• Manure and chippings continue to arrive in good quantities – make the most of it by helping yourself when they come.

• Saturday opening at the shop will stop from 27th May until March 2008. However, in spite of a recent rumour I overheard recently, it will continue to open every Sunday from 10.00 till 12.00.

• Monthly site inspections have been postponed recently but will get underway following our next committee meeting on the first Saturday in June.

• On the point of committee meetings, don’t forget that you are welcome to attend any of the committee meetings – you won’t be able to make any decisions with us, but we will listen to what you have to say and you may persuade us to.

• If you have any snippets that you would like included in our next newsletter – let me know.

• Have a happy summer.

.A further plea to all those who have (and use) an e-mail address. Please let the secretary have your details by e-mailing peter@pjhorrocks.freeserve.co.uk This saves vast amounts of time, effort and cost in getting messages to you!