DIG THIS!
Newcastle Allotments Newsletter

                                                                           AUTUMN/WINTER 2011

Hello folks and welcome to Dig This.

We held the 2011 Allotment and Garden Show on 11th September and, yet again, you all contributed to what turned out to be another fine display of fruit, flowers and vegetables. There was some trepidation among the group that the strange weather this year would seriously affect the turnout but this was not so and last year's efforts were eclipsed by both the standards and the number of entries.

As usual we were indebted to the staff in Parks and Countryside Services for the work they put in to ensure tables were set up and put away and that the paperwork was up to scratch. What was particularly pleasing were the number and standards of entries in the kids section. Future allotment holders maybe?

Talking about allotment holders many of you will have seen the recent article in the Chronicle about the contribution made by some of our less law abiding citizens to the diets of the homeless in Newcastle. A plot has been set aside in the St Anthony site run by the probation service and the produce is sent to the Cyrenians to help vulnerable people in Newcastle. The plot was derelict and only goes to show what can be done given some effort and commitment.
Whilst I'm on about an individual site it would seem a reasonable idea to open this news sheet to articles from and about your sites. One that is worth mentioning is the site at Denton Bank. They are being uprooted! To make way for some of our less fortunate neighbours as the burial site is being extended. They will be replanted in the old nursery next to the cemetery and they are currently trying to raise money for a new group hut. Unfortunately the closing date for voting for their application is now closed but it shows what a bit of research can do to find sources of finance for all sorts of allotment related projects. Our dedicated fund raiser Matty Hall can help with a fistful of advice. Unfortunately Matty is still on snail mail but contact can be made via your AWG rep or direct to me at the email address at the end of this missive.

BEES AND THINGS

And now for something entirely different. Have you noticed that the only time a fuss is made about the situation of an animal/plant/ insect etc. is when it is at risk. Recently there has been press and TV publicity about the state of the red squirrel and hedgehog populations and for some time now there has been great concern about bees. The AWG has recently, with this in mind, set up a bee subgroup, chaired by Peter Whewell from Moorside Allotments. As a result the interest in introducing hives on allotment sites has mushroomed to the extent that we have purchased bee suits and have available a centrifuge honey extractor. Several sites now have beehives on site maintained by people who have received appropriate training. Whilst we would encourage the introduction of more beehives I would point out that there are several essentials. Having established that your fellow plotholders are happy to have the hive on site you must remember that you are introducing  livestock and that you will need to dedicate about an hour a week or more to maintaining the hive. You must also have the appropriate training and insurance. The public liability insurance held by your site does meet the  additional cover that our Council requires and you must be registered with the Bee Group to meet those needs. Peter will most willingly provide all the information you need as well as being able to let you see, first hand, what to expect. I know that this may sound a little daunting but we all need to remember that without bees we would not be able to feed ourselves and that we, as the dominant species,  should be responsible for ensuring that our worlds diverse and wonderful inhabitants are given the help and support they deserve. As well as our own bee group you can use the internet for information and advice. Have a look at www.capitalbee.co.uk.

If you want to help but do not want to keep a hive why not see what you can do to help our wild bees. There is much information on bumble bees on the internet. Have a look at www.bumblebeeconservation.org.uk. It is probably a bit late now to do much to see them through the winter but there is always next year and the weather will soon keep you out of the plot, if last year was anything to go by, so you can spend all that spare time building and setting up homes for them. And what about setting aside a bit of land for growing bee-friendly plants. Seed catalogues, now dropping through the letter box, will have some appropriate varieties. Please ensure that the area is kept as a credit to the association. An untamed dump is not acceptable within the terms of the Council's lease and will not serve it's purpose.

Evening Chronicle Wish Tokens
            
I see that 2 of our sites have registered to claim a share of the money the Chronicle will be giving away early next year. Would those of you who read the paper be able to keep the tokens and pass them on to help them? The sites are Three Mile AA and Tweed Street AA. I will happily collect from you any tokens you can save and divide them equally between the two sites. However, if you prefer to pass them on direct the contacts are for Three Mile either Ada McMutrie or John Sanderson 19 Burnside Rd Gosforth NE3 2DU tel.  01913855347 and for Tweed St. Street Maxine Parkin 20 Dobson Close Cruddas Park NE4 7EA. Please help and eventually I will be able to let you know the results of our efforts.

 WAITING LIST SURVEY

As you will probably already know the Allotment Working Group are tasked to fined new allotment sites. As part of that exercise we need to know where are the people who are currently on our waiting lists. Some sites have already supplied the necessary information but if yours is one of the sites still to do so please help us by sending it to Mark Todd.

ALLOMENT WORKING GROUP

Our research has shown that many allotment holders have little or no knowledge of how the AWG is set up, what are its aims and objectives and who are its members. Your site will soon receive a notice, for permanent display, so that all members are able to read who we are and what we do. That notice is for permanent display and will be amended as necessary.
 

CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME

Contributions to this newsletter are welcome, whether they are news items about site activities or personalities, ideas, opinions or criticisms.
Contact me on 0191 2665910 email mikea25242@hotmail.co.uk
Or Mark Todd on 0191 2783094

The Allotments Working Group is made up of elected and co-opted representatives from across Newcastle and operates under the auspices of the City Council.    

Webmaster, Jim Lowery: 07799 406975 for messages, or via the website email link