Latest News
Water
The mains water supply was turned on today. Unfortunately, the toilets will remain out of use for another couple of days until the broken toilet is replaced. We are hoping that this will be done on Monday.
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM will be held on Tuesday, 31st March. I have attached the official notification, agenda and last year's minutes.
If you would like to put forward any specific topic(s) for discussion, please send them to me by email or in a letter, under the Trading Hut door,.by Saturday 21st March. Without such prior notice, we may be unable to discuss issues raised at the meeting.
Please come along if you possibly can. It is important that all members are involved in decision making and it is also an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with other plot holders.
Trading Hut
The Trading Hut will be open for the first time this year on Sunday, 1st March. Please try to pay for any manure you may have taken, if you haven’t already done so. Click HERE for the rota with dates.
Work Parties – New Scheme!
We really appreciate the help that members give to maintain our site and to reflect this, we are launching a new scheme. Quite simply, if you volunteer for one of our work parties, you will be given a £5 voucher. This can be redeemed when you pay your annual rent in October; up to a maximum of 3 per year. This means that if you volunteer twice, your rent will be reduced by £10. (Please note - it is up to the member to keep the voucher(s) safe and it/they must be produced at rent renewal if you would like to receive your discount.
Please remember our first work party of the year is on Sunday, next. Meet at the Trading Hut at 10am; refreshments from 11.30am. Be one of the first to pick up their voucher!
Plot Inspection
Sadly, zone reps have reported some serious issues with a number of neglected plots. We do appreciate that recent winter weather conditions have made plot maintenance extremely challenging. Nevertheless, the presence of rotting crops, excessive weed growth, and hazardous pathways indicate that certain members may not have paid any attention to their plots since last summer. According to the NSALG, cultivating a full plot typically requires 4 to 5 hours a week and significantly more when dealing with a new plot and/or during the spring and summer growing seasons. If you are really struggling to find the necessary time or inclination to look after your plot properly, please get in touch and we can discuss it with you. We require all members to meet our cultivation standards, HERE is the Cultivation Checklist again; just in case you missed it last time. Please read it carefully it to ensure you understand the expected standards of care. We will be carrying out a comprehensive site-wide plot inspection towards the end of March.
Associate Members
Most of you will be aware that some of our members have someone, other than a family member, giving them regular help on their plot; Associate members may also help the plotholder during time of illness or holidays. They pay an annual £10 fee; are allowed to buy a key and can attend functions and the AGM. They are, however, not allowed to vote. and have no claims to the plot should the plotholder decide to give up.
We will no longer require a family member from the same household to become an Associate Member. However, if you wish to have someone such as a neighbour, friend or other family member help you on a regular basis and on occasion, tend to the plot by themselves for a short period, they must complete an new Associate Member Agreement. Please pop into the Trading Hut when you can or speak to David, our Lettings Officer.
For security reasons, it is very important to know who has access to and may be on the site. We should also have addresses and emergency contact details.
Talking of which..........
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS
We have also realised that we do not hold emergency contact details for plotholders should any accident or crisis occur. Please let us know the details of who to contact should the need arise. You can pop a note under the TH door, let you Zone Rep know or email me.
The National Allotment Society
You may be aware that as members of our Association, you also become a member of The National Allotment Society which is the leading representative body for allotment holders. Their website is full of useful information including an online version of their magazine. To access the member’s area on the website, you will need to enter, under email address, s507c (this is our Association number) and enter the password 2188214 You are also able to view the King’s Seed catalogue but, please note, you will not be able to order online.
HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY
Linked below is the Association’s new Health and Safety Policy together with statements outlining the required responsibilities of both the Committee and you, as plot holders. Please read and familiarize yourselves with these documents.