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Newsletter 26 – AUTUMN 2016
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER AT 11AM
SAUSAGE AND BACON BUTTIES AT OUR MONTHLY COFFEE GATHERING
No charge
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 BURYDELL LANE – COME JOIN US ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT 11AM FOR TEA, COFFEE, BISCUITS, CAKES, CHAT, SEEDLING/PLANT SWAP. Our November gathering will be a bit different with the addition of bacon and sausage butties for a late breakfast, to celebrate the beginning of Winter!
ANNUAL DONATION TO “GOOD CAUSES”Thank you to you all for giving your choice when we posted the 3 options on the hut door. You chose Herts Air Ambulance which provides a free life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The service receives no Government funding so the cost of running it -£500,000/month – has to be funded by donations. £100 has been sent (Gift Aided) and acknowledgement of our donation can be seen on the board in the hut. We would welcome suggestions for 2017 from you all.
SITE MATTERSWe currently have nobody on the waiting list and there is 1 vacant plot. We say goodbye to Sebastian Gudek on Plot 23 and welcome Katrin Gastrow to Plot 27a.
At last Plot 35b is in use. This is the plot at the bottom of the site, turn right and at the end of the path is an area that is impossible to cultivate because it is so stony. It has now been levelled, covered with weed suppressing membrane and chippings and is now suitable for parking, particularly for those plot holders who for years have had a bit of a problem shuffling their cars around near their plots to make room for others.
On the subject of chippings – we are grateful to Ross Parker and his son, Joe for their constant supply to our enclosure at the entrance to the site. The enclosure has needed some repairs recently and once again Mike came to our rescue in helping Derrick to put it back together again. Aren`t we lucky to have such willing helpers amongst our community? Mike on this occasion, Mark Tubbs helped us to sort out Plot 35 and Martin supplied an extra BBQ and tables on BBQ day. They aren`t Committee members but have been happy to offer their help.
In other news, regular inspections have been taking place by Phil Bruce Green, the Allotment Officer at the Council. He is looking for signs of cultivation throughout the growing season on all tenanted plots. There are a few plots where things could be better but that`s allotments for you. We all have other things in our lives or ill health takes its toll and generally Burydell is well maintained.
From 1st October to 31st March bonfires are permitted on Tuesdays after 12pm and the first Saturday of the month after 12 noon. For more detail see the Allotment and Leisure Garden Rules and Procedures 3.4 on the St Albans City and District Council Website. Grass cutting of the main paths could be carried out by the Council contractors more frequently but with the budget cutbacks this is unlikely to happen.
The last lot of manure that we had delivered was very well rotted. We have arranged to have another delivery this month. You can still get bagged manure from outside the field in Tippendale Lane.
We thank you for helping us to keep the site tidy by taking your rubbish home or to the dump. If you don`t do it the area near the gate just becomes a dumping ground or a Committee member has to dispose of it somehow.
The barrier will be going up towards the end of October so that the paths remain safe to walk on and less vulnerable to car damage in the wet of the Winter months.
The resident chickens seem to be very happy in their new home. We don`t think there have been any nesting ducks on the site this year.
BEST PLOT COMPETITION 2016Aylett Nurseries` support of Burydell Allotments is acknowledged and we thank Julie Aylett, Adam Wigglesworth, Alison and Martin once again for their interest and generosity. There were 2 categories this year. 1. Winner and runner up for Best Plot 2. Winner and runner up for Best Newcomer for plots taken on before the last 2 growing seasons.Martin Andrews from Aylett Nurseries spent 2 hours in very late June looking at every aspect of our growing. He particularly looks at the number of different veg grown and the condition of plants and plots. He judged the winners to be:
Best Plot Derrick Davis Plot 34 Runners up Aly and Adrian Fricker Plot 38
Best Newcomers Martin Stevens Plot 26a Runner up Mark Tubbs Plot 39Aylett Vouchers were presented to the winners at the BBQ in July
Derrick Adrian and Aly Martin Mark
SUMMER BBQ 2016We were ready for a hot and happy sunny day but the forecast was not good and Andy Murray was playing in the Wimbledon Final that day. The rain came down just as we were setting up, the wind blew and we were forced to move nearer the hut for protection. Not to be deterred some hardy souls turned up and despite the unseasonal conditions weenjoyed plenty of good food, stimulating chat, Kim`s Quiz and a generally relaxed atmosphere.
Our large hut has served us well since we pulled down that rusty, crumbling, unsafe shed and the Working Party built a safer version over a year or so. However over the years we have had a few occasions when we have had to squeeze under our medium sized gazebos to get out of the rain. So the Committee decided to purchase a 6m X 3m one for future use. It is bigger, stronger, waterproof and won`t blow away from over our heads!SUNFLOWER.COMPETITIONWell, the site has looked very cheerful over July and August with sunflowers of various heights growing on a number of plots. Gill, one of our Committee members, looked at them all over a period of time and chose Mark Taylor`s (Plot 37) as the winner. His flowered early and Gill felt that their show was particularly pleasing. Not the tallest or showiest but what a lovely display. Mark receives a prize of £15 Garden Centre Vouchers.
ST STEPHENS GARDENING CLUBAnnual Show September 2016 This is the club`s major event of the year and there was a good representation from our plotholders this year. Between us we won 3 cups, a Winners shield, an RHS Bronze medal and11 First prizes. Most importantly it was fun, a good community event for veg, flowers,photography and crafts and an opportunity to have tea and cake with like minded people.I must single out Gill and Alan`s achievement – first time competitors and winners of the Best Vegetable in the show for their amazing cauliflower AND First prize in the Sweetcorn class.
Other Gardening Club events17th October 2.30pm - Talk – Propagation - £2 with tea11th November 7.30pm - Talk – Butterflies of France, AGM - £2 with teaFor more information contact Graham Wilson 01727 872718 or speak to Derrick on Plot 34.
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. Anyone leaving the allotment is automatically included as a Friend. 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 involvement. If you know anybody who would like to join as a “Friend” please let Jan know on [email protected] or 01923 6712
We are always pleased to receive contributions for the Newsletter from plot holders on Burydell. Mike (Plots 1a, 2 and 8) has volunteered to share his ideas about some practical aspects of allotment growing. In the February 2017 Newsletter Mike will share his experience and ideas about using Raised Beds on Allotments.
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 February 2017. Any contributions to Jan by mid January please.
YOUR COMMITTEEIn the event of site related problems please speak to Pat, Site Liaison Officer, in the first 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
Gill [email protected] … 01727 875399
Derrick Davisderrick.a.davis@btinternet … 01727 873657
Christine [email protected] …07703 498257
Jim [email protected] …01727 872014
Chris Feakes … 01727 [email protected]
