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Newsletter 24 – Spring 2016
We were very sad to have to cancel the SAY GOODBYE TO SUMMER event last October. Heavy rain was forecast, the ground was sodden and the practicality of setting up a bonfire was unworkable. It is the first time in the 7 year history of the Association that we have given in to the vagaries of the British weather. Allotmenteers are traditionally hardy folks and gazebos usually work well providing they don`t get whipped away by the wind!
Not to be deterred we used the first Sunday of 2016 (the Association`s monthly gathering) to imbibe some mulled wine with sausage rolls and mince pies. It was good to see so many of our allotment faithfuls despite the rain and cold. The big hut did its job and proved to us once again that rebuilding that hut 3 years ago was worth all the effort and money.
Our Annual Quiz is always popular helped on by the varied questions set by Chris. He has once again agreed to be our Quiz Master in March.
We look forward every year to our Summer BBQ. Put the 10th July in your diary (or on your tablet) now for an afternoon to enjoy good food and chat. Any tombola prizes, particularly foody or boozy ones, any size would be welcomed - before the event if possible please. Give to Jan or Barbara. Chocolate isn`t a good idea though if the sun is streaming down. It is difficult to imagine that now in the depths of Winter but we are usually lucky on the day. More details about the BBQ in our next Newsletter in June.
We are always seeking different ideas for our social events to give all members an opportunity to come together, enjoy a chat and have a bit of fun. We plan to do something in the Autumn but what??? Please give your ideas to any Committee member.
SOCIAL CALENDAR 2016 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Saturday 12th March Quiz Night Park Street Village Hall
Sunday 15th May AGM and Cream Tea On Site
Sunday 10th July BBQ and Tombola On Site
October/November Yet to be decided Ideas Please?
We will give you more details before each event by Email and on notices on the notice board and gate.
QUIZ NIGHT SATURDAY 12th MARCH
Park Street Village Hall Cost £8 to include a simple SupperDoors open at 7.00 for a 7.30 start
Bring your own drinks, glasses and any extra nibbles but no nuts please as one of our plotholders has a severe nut allergy. Any contributions to the raffle would be appreciated. Please deliver to Barbara – 2 Mill Cottages, Burydell Lane or give to Jan or Pat.Our quiz nights are always popular so please tell Barbara as soon as possible if you would like to come. As usual we need numbers of your party. Payment on the day.
AGM AND TEASunday 15th May at 2pm
The AGM is an essential part of the organisation of our Association and an opportunity for members to ask questions of the Committee and to give us your ideas, comments and
Last year the Committee proposed that the Association should make a small donation to a suitable charity once a year. This is because you are all so generous and we therefore felt that it would be a good idea to share a bit of our good fortune with a local deserving cause. We can only do this of course if the Association's finances are in good health.
At the AGM in 2015 Members voted for Earthworks, a charity which provides horticultural training for those with learning difficulties in St Albans. £100 was presented to Earthworks. At this year’s AGM in May, if finances permit, we will be asking for members to choose an organisation which you would like to support and we would welcome some ideas from Members in advance. Please give details to any Committee member with a brief outline of who would benefit and how.
HAPPINESS IS...............
MEMBERSHIP – another new yearI can`t believe that that time of year is here again. Just starting our 7th year the strength of the Association and the community spirit generated through involvement and participation from our members is so encouraging. We thank all of you for your friendship and interest. The new Membership year starts in March. Your Committee has decided that Membership of the Association should remain the same (£5) for the coming year. This covers the cost of running the Association. Our other activities, both social and improvements to the site are funded by your contributions at our various social events. Please deliver your £5 to Barbara at 2 Mill Cottages (in an envelope, clearly labelled) or give to Jan, with any changes of contact details. Contact with you by email seems to be the best way to keep members informed and to hear your concerns and suggestions.
SITE MATTERS
SITE UPDATE
AGM AND TEASunday 15th May at 2pm
The AGM is an essential part of the organisation of our Association and an opportunity for members to ask questions of the Committee and to give us your ideas, comments and
OUR WEBSITE http://burydellallotments.wordpress.com By clicking on the Email Subscription box on the website you are signing up to receiving new notification posts from Kim and the Association. It is free, despite calling itself “subscription” and is an additional way of hearing about our activities.
SUNDAY MORNINGS ON BURYDELLThe first Sunday of the month 11am
TEA, COFFEE, BISCUITS/CAKE AND CHAT IN THE HUT
Join us for refreshments and a chat. Bring surplus plants, produce, jams pickles and gardening items to exchange or sell, to donate to Association funds.
There are currently 3 people on the waiting list and all plots are taken. We say goodbye to Mike and Jan Carpenter on Plot 27b and Sirazul Rahman on Plot 17. We welcome Kristina and Maria to those plots.
What a wet and warm Autumn and Winter it has been. The grass on the paths has continued to grow and unfortunately we have run out of grass cutting slots for the year so the Council`s contractors will have a bit of a job in the Spring when they start cutting again. We felt that they were not cutting the grass short enough throughout last year and Pat has been talking to the Council about this in attempt to get them to do a better job.
Providing the ground is hard enough to take cars the barrier will be coming down towards the end of March and water turned on in April sometime. The Council`s inspections by Phil Bruce Green will restart in March.
Once again thanks to Ross for keeping us supplied with chippings. So many of us are using them for paths and, although they do break down eventually, they do help to keep the weeds down. The manure has been well used and we plan to have another delivery in February. We ask you to take only small amounts so that everybody can have a share. The stables on Tippendell Lane always have a surplus of manure collected from their field. This is another source of muck to bag up yourself in whatever quantity you like. They also leave it in bags by the roadside for anybody to take.
Bonfires are allowed between 1st October and 31st March, on Tuesdays after 12noon and on the first Saturday of the month after 12noon – see the Allotment and Leisure Garden Rules and Procedures 3.4 on the St Albans City and District Council Website.
At risk of being repetitive the Council has banned the use of carpets on Council Allotments since 2010 – in fact this applies across the UK. This is because carpets degrade and as they do so pesticides, glues, dyes and fire retardants may be washed into the soil. Even modern hessian-backed carpets are mostly synthetic right down from fibres to chemicals. They are not recommended for organic use and are banned on allotments.
Finally please help us keep the site tidy by TAKING YOUR RUBBISH HOME OR TO THE DUMP.
Get sowing – let’s have a good show of sunflowers throughout the site, their heads looking down and inspecting your plots - and they give seeds for the birds in the Autumn. We are having a Sunflower competition this year (see later in this Newsletter).
BEST PLOT COMPETITION 2016Aylett Nurseries have once again generously agreed to judge our plots and are donating their Vouchers for the winners. Their interest and support is much appreciated. We will have just 2 categories this year. Two winners for Best Plot on Burydell – i.e. Winner and runner up and secondly Best Newcomer for plots taken on before the last 2 growing seasons. Judging will take place in very late June with winners announced at the BBQ on 10th July.
SUNFLOWER COMPETITIONStart your sunflowers off from mid April to end of May in pots or directly in the ground.Let the soil and sun do their work, feed them, water them, stake them, talk to them and pamper them and we`ll judge them by height and showiness when they are in full flower. The timing may change between varieties so we`ll judge over a period of time to see the best from each. The prize may not be huge but the prestige will be worth it!
Derrick and Jan`s sunflower, grown at home, measured 11ft 4”. Beat that!!
FRIENDS OF BURYDELL LANE ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATIONWe enjoy the support of many Park Street and Bricket Wood Residents and the Committee have decided to include them in receiving information about our activities. By being on our Friends mailing list they will:
Be the first to hear about our SOCIAL EVENTS Receive our NEWSLETTER every 4 months Be a part of our thriving ALLOTMENT COMMUNITY Be able to join us for a CUPPA AND CAKE on the first Sunday each month from 11am-
12mdNo subscription is expected, just their interest and involvementIf you know anybody who would like to join as a “Friend” please let Jan know on [email protected] or 01923 671277
ST STEPHENS GARDENING CLUBwww.ststevensgardeningclub.co.uk
Do you know about your local gardening club? Would you like to go to some interesting talks and join members on visits to special places. Here is the programme of their events for 2016
22nd March – 2.15pm Talk - History of Coffee £2
13th May – 8pm Talk - Container Gardening £2
25th May Visit – RHS Wisley Members £14 Non members £17
25th June Visit - Woburn Abbey, Gardens & Garden Show
And finally - the monthly RHS Magazine, The Garden is on the table in the Hut for all members to share. Why not have a break from sowing weeding and muck spreading, enjoy a tea or coffee and read The Garden or the hard copy of our Newsletters? The Hut is there for all to use. Please just close the door when you leave. Your next Newsletter will be out in early June 2016. Any contributions to Jan by1st May please.
YOUR COMMITTEEIn the event of site related problems please speak to Pat, Site Liaison Officer, in thefirst instance.
Chair: Kim [email protected] … 07899 844564
Secretary: Barbara [email protected] … 01727 872092
Treasurer: Jan [email protected] … 01727 874842
Site Liaison Officer: Pat [email protected] … 01923 671277
Membership/Newsletter: Jan [email protected] … 01923 671277
Information: Barbara [email protected] … 01727 872092
ST STEPHENS GARDENING CLUBwww.ststevensgardeningclub.co.uk
Do you know about your local gardening club? Would you like to go to some interesting talks and join members on visits to special places. Here is the programme of their events for 2016
22nd March – 2.15pm Talk - History of Coffee £2
13th May – 8pm Talk - Container Gardening £2
25th May Visit – RHS Wisley Members £14 Non members £17
25th June Visit - Woburn Abbey, Gardens & Garden Show
Gill [email protected] … 01727 875399
Derrick Davisderrick.a.davis@btinternet … 01727 873657
Christine [email protected] …07703 498257
Jim [email protected] …01727 872014
