EAP website: www.ealingallotmentspartnership.co.uk

Spring 2017 No. 26

The EAP-AGM in March went off very well. The minutes of the meeting together with the reports of the EAP Chair and Chris Welsh (LBE Parks Manager) can be accessed at http://www.ealingallotmentspartnership.co.uk/images/meetings/EAP-AGM-minutes-2017.pdf. The formal business was followed by two excellent presentations (see below) by Victoria Lawrence of the National Citizen Service on their Community Work and Philip Olding on his Urban Vineyard.A recent piece of good news in the battle to prevent building development on Northfield Allotments is that Ealing Council has awarded it the status of an ACV (asset of community value). Under the Localism Act 2011 an ACV is an asset that promotes social wellbeing or social interests. There are currently only seven such registered assets in the borough - including Southall Library, Hanwell Community Centre and part of Warren Farm. Once registered, the owner of an ACV must inform the local authority if they wish to sell the asset. If the users, in this case the Northfield plotholders, want to buy the asset, they can trigger a moratorium for six months, to give them a chance to raise the money to do so. Alternatively, if an asset is under threat of long-term loss to the community - the asset can be compulsory purchased by the local authority or council.Formal recognition for Northfields Allotments as an ACV means a great deal. It confirms what all plotholders knew already, namely that the benefits allotments

bring to plotholders, the wider local community and to wildlife are extremely important and worth protecting. Although ACV status was not originally meant to be a material consideration in planning applications, internet research suggests it has become one. Northfields has also been designated a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation and a Community Open Space. Taken together all three designations will greatly strengthen the case for protecting the site.

National Citizen Service (NCS)The first of the two AGM talks was given by Victoria Lawrence. The NCS, as she explained, is a government backed programme aimed at young people helping them build skills for work life transition into adulthood. It involves three related challenges. First a personal challenge where participants develop confidence and bond with team members on an activity based residential course. This is followed by a team challenge where team-mates work together to develop a skill

that can be used in projects working with a range of community groups. The third challenge is where the team develops a specific social action project with a community-based group, such as an allotment association, which they have to present in a “Dragon’s Den” format to obtain funding for their project.The Horsenden group of sites, have had direct experience of working with NCS and it was particularly interesting to hear their views on how the system worked for them. They have had a collaboration

with NCS for the past few years and see it as a great way of getting a younger generation interested in the idea of allotments, in understanding and appreciating the produce that they eat and on a broader scale what allotments mean to the community that surround them.

Many of the participants they have worked with have had little, if any, experience of working with soil nor have been lucky enough to try a cherry tomato straight from the plant. Taking them around the site and showing them all the different vegetables and fruits that are grown in one place is always the association’s starting point. Getting the participants involved in a project where they can see a start and finish – something they can photograph for their records - is the most enjoyable and productive part of the exercise. It brings together the older and younger generations in a joint activity which they have found always ends up being a fun and enjoyable experience for both sides. Projects involved such tasks as reviving a neglected plot, giving a facelift to the furniture in the association’s community garden (above), having a go at beekeeping, fruit picking for the association’s jam sale and planting vegetable and flower seeds. The association provided gloves and all the tools needed for the job plus well earned refreshments and always sent the participants home with a selection of allotment produce as a thank you. The funding that the allotment society gained from being part of the project has been put to use good use in improving the toilet facilities at their sites to enable further projects with NCS and other organisations in the future. For further information on NCS go to http://www.ncsthechallenge.org/

Urban VineyardThe main presentation at this year’s AGM was by Paul Olding relating his experiences in setting up a vineyard on his allotment plot in Lewisham. The story of how, since 2007, he converted the boggiest most overgrown plot on the site into a thriving vineyard was a compelling one, both for those interested in following his example and as an example of how to get the best out of one’s own allotment plot.It was all there, from how to improve the soil and drainage of your plot, the best grape varieties to grow, the importance of choosing the right rootstock to match the soil type, the optimal lay-out of the vines, the importance of limiting the number of

bunches of grapes to get good quality fruit, the crushing of the grapes – and yes this does involve trampling them with bare feet; it apparently maximises the release of juice making subsequent pressing easier – the choice of appropriate yeasts and much more. For more details please refer to his book “The Urban Vineyard” – go to http://www.theurbanvineyard.co.uk/ for information on how to get hold of a copy.The viticulturists among us, represented by our chair Joseph Mangar (who has plans for creating Ealing’s own vineyard on the Horsenden site), and among others, a group of Blondin tenants engaged in upgrading pre-existing vines on their site, were clearly extremely impressed - asking many questions and happily testing the product of Paul’s labours after his talk. Others of us were equally impressed by the general messages that ran through his presentation. Do your research, know where the problems lie rather than diving in willy-nilly, look after your soil, know your enemies - both on the vineyard and in your kitchen winery - don’t be greedy; go for quality not quantity. All messages that apply equally well to growing good fruit and vegetables of all types.His final comment that very much summed up the spirit of his talk was that anybody can grow bad grapes and make bad wine, it is also not too hard to grow

good grapes and make bad wine but the name of the game is to grow good grapes and make good wine. Not so easy, but with care, thought, and a lot of hard work perfectly possible even on a London allotment!

Ealing-in-BloomThe time for submitting your entry to the annual Ealing-in-Bloom competition has come around again. As usual there are four categories:

Large allotment Site (over 50 plots) Small allotment Site (50 or less plots) Large allotment plot (over 7.5 poles) Small allotment plot (7.5 poles or less)

Apart from the fact that it’s fun, why bother to enter? At the site level, it encourages plot-holders to feel part of a community; it also focuses attention on how well the site is doing – not unimportant in light of the current threat to

the Northfields site. At the individual plot level, it can give you a sense of fulfilment regarding how well your plot is being utilised.Two important things to remember are that the closing date for allotment entries is the 12th May (earlier than other categories) and that entries under the individual

plot category must be made by the plot holder - not the site manager. For entry forms go to: http://www.ealingallotmentspartnership.co.uk/images/ealing-in-bloom/Ealing-in-Bloom-Entry-Form-2017.docx

The latest pest on the block: Soft Fruit beware…Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a fruit fly that was first reported in the UK in 2012. Unlike most other fruit flies, it can damage otherwise unblemished soft and stone fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries, grapes, cherries and plums. It was first seen and identified from samples sent in by RHS members in summer 2015 - including myself on Ascott Gardens. It was first noticed on cherries. They had a poor flavour and texture, and contained small (4mm) white larvae in the flesh. Later raspberries were also noted to have poor flavour and a very soft texture. When picking, it was observed that those with a clean white core were generally uncontaminated, but those with a pink or distinctly red core (see photo) were contaminated.

RHS in association with Agralan offer the following advice: Set detection traps on the shaded side of the plants. I used small plastic bottles, caps on but holes punched into the neck, and part filled with cider vinegar as the bait. These were wired into position on my fruit cage. To prevent damage, use extra fine mesh netting e.g. environmesh to cover the developing fruit as soon as fully set - before any real colour has developed. If you are happy to use chemicals, Pyrethrum based ones

are somewhat effective, and have a short ‘spray to harvest’ interval. Be sure to clean up any fallen/damaged fruit AND NEVER DISPOSE OF THEM ON THE COMPOST HEAP. This would encourage proliferation. One effective disposal technique is to place in a plastic bag, tie the top, and leave in the sun for several days-the heat will kill developing larvae and eggs, thus disrupting the life cycle. For more detailed information see https://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/Profile?PID=852Helen Marriage,Ascott Allotments

Use it or lose it!The subject of allotment non-cultivation rules and their application is probably one of the most contentious areas in allotment site management. The three main

aims of this article are to explain why Ealing Council has a non-cultivation rule, what the rule entails and the policy regarding its application.Why is there need for a rule? The obvious starting point is that the Council provides allotments for tenants for the cultivation of vegetables, fruit and flowers – not to be left to be overgrown by couch grass, weeds and brambles and/or a

dumping ground for rubbish. Non-cultivation is not a victimless offence. Untended plots look a mess and tend to make the site as a whole look run-down. Growth of seeding weeds has a direct effect, and is a deep source of irritation, to tenants on surrounding plots. Equally importantly the offending plot, when finally vacated, is also almost invariably left in a state that takes the next tenant several seasons to get back into shape. Last but not least, it means that somebody on the waiting list is deprived of the joy of having an allotment.What is the actual rule? Following a meeting between site managers and Ealing Council, the rule has recently been updated to read:“You must keep the allotment in cultivation, keep weeds under control and maintain the soil in a healthy and fertile state at all times. Failure to do so may lead to the issue by the council of an improvement notice. In the event of a failure to comply with the conditions set out in this notice, the council may terminate your tenancy on 3 week’s notice and under the 1950 Allotments Act may seek compensation for the cost of making good any deterioration to the land. In cases of appeals against non-cultivation, the council Parks Manager’s decision will be final.”The main difference from the earlier version is a reduction in the time allowed to show compliance with the conditions set out in the improvement order to 3 weeks. This may seem short but is aimed at ensuring that site managers have sufficient time, after the issue of a termination order and the processing of any subsequent appeals, to re-let the plot before the current growing season is effectively over. Site managers will be encouraged to post reminder notices on non-cultivation on site gates so that the improvement notices are unlikely to come completely out of the blue for most recipients.What is the policy regarding the rule’s application? The simple answer is cultivation, cultivation. Site managers and the Council are not aiming at imposing an arbitrary level of cultivation. They are more interested in being sure that tenants make the best use of their plots that they can. They fully recognise that from time to time factors such as changes in family circumstances, illness etc., can mean that tenants may not be in a position to maintain an adequate level of cultivation on their plot. If this is the case, the sensible approach is for the plot holder to have a word with their site manager early in the season, explain the situation and see what can be arranged.

The main problem faced by site managers is the recurrent necessity to issue non-cultivation orders to the same tenants who then do sufficient clearance to satisfy an improvement notice (or in extreme cases pay somebody else to do this) and leave the weeds to grow back with no significant level of cultivation. To combat this much greater emphasis in future will be made on identifying these effectively “absentee tenants” and making sure that promises of future compliance are maintained. In effect “Use it or Lose it”!

Site ProfileGreat Western Allotments

The site is on railway land leased by Ealing Council close to the main line tracks to Paddington. Its official entrance is along a very long path from the busy Horn Lane to the east of the site but most of us use another gate located at the western end of the site which allows a more direct entrance from Alwyn Gardens (off Noel Road) via land leased by the Acton Garden Village

Association.Great Western has approximately sixty plots and when I took over as site manager the site was looking much neglected after eighteen months without a manager. Now, nearly four years on, things are much improved. Some of the plots have been transformed and there are raised beds appearing everywhere. A small group of us have started to tidy the site, mainly improving the paths by removing lots of old carpet, three layers deep in some places. The council have also recently repaired the fence, cleared some rubbish and will shortly be extending the water system to allow the installation of two more dip tanks.We have set aside a plot for the whole allotment community to use, it has been cleared and levelled, the two existing fruit trees have been pruned and two more apple trees planted. We have also set up an on-line forum so we can keep in touch with one another and make plans for the future of the site, including social events.Susan Williamson,Site Manager

Around the AssociationsJubilee Road, PerivaleDespite a particularly wet spell during February, we have been able to continue improving vacant plots in poor condition. Word of mouth and local advertising attracted six new rents during March which now leaves us with a handful of vacant plots. Many of our current members seem to have become energised this spring into getting their plots ready for planting. As we approach mid-spring it is pleasing to see the allotment in good shape. We have also secured funding from Perivale Ward forum for a composting toilet and are preparing for its installation during May.Our main social event this year will be a fruit and vegetable show for Jubilee Road plot holders, followed by an open day. This could be the ‘first’ for many years, or at least not within memory of current members. While the show is just for fun, I sense some keen competition developing. For your diary 3 September 2017, open to public about 1 pm. We hope to see you there!Michael BunyanSite ManagerEmail: jubilee.allotments.perivale@gmail.com

Horsenden GroupOur 'Orangery' (the centre building) is up and in use. We have been using it for the storing and the growing on of plug plants in readiness for sale at our local Spring Show run by HAAGA (Horsenden Garden and Allotment Association}. For the price of a couple of bags of compost, some gathering of old 'free' pots from plot holders and a couple of hours given up by a few people to pot on the plants ready to sell, the return profit is worth the effort. We plan to

continue this for future shows for both flower and vegetable plants which is why the 'Orangery' is invaluable.Our Spring Show on 8th April went well but was quite quiet - possibly due to the approaching Easter holidays and a glorious unseasonably warm day. A great

display of Spring flowers stole the show with the addition of homemade/baked produce and handcrafts. Our Summer show is on 8th July and the Autumn one is

2nd September. If you are a garden or allotment plot owner and don't have a local show that you can participate in you are able to join in ours by joining HAAGA for £3 a year. Let us know if you need more information.We have had two 'official' work mornings so far in 2017, both of them up at our largest site Whitton Drive. Our priority was to get the main composting toilet construct up (we laid down footings for it last year). A couple of slightly longer working sessions meant it's finally up and ready to use - a few additional touches,such as nice steps up to it, will be added later but it's a usable thing at long last, just in time for the busy season. We have been running working parties for a few years now - with mixed success. We've got a huge amount achieved, but at the expense of the same old faces putting in their time and hard work. We advertise the work mornings (2 hrs, once a month) extensively. Hand over leaflets with the dates on when the plot holders pay their rents, put posters up at every site and in the quarterly newsletter, plus sending an email round a few days before as a reminder. We have listed for the year, the site where each work party is going to be held each month. We even provide a tea/coffee break and breakfast pastries as a well earned incentive. With approx 80-90 plotholders we only see about 10-12 who are willing to join in the events - resulting in about 6-7 attending each one. We obviously recognise this isn't a fair ratio given that it's about working on the communal areas - benefiting everyone. Do any other sites have a more successful turn out for similar events at their sites or have any guides as to how they get help working their communal areas? All suggestions welcome; send to milly_allotment@outlook.com Milly Mills - Chair HAA

Acton Gardening AssociationAGA's four sites on the eastern side of Acton – Bromyard, Chestnuts, Perryn and The Vale – comprise approximately 128 plots.  2016 saw us take on some of the plot holders evicted from Goldsmiths Close allotments when the site was sold to a property developer. As we are also on privately owned land, this is always a concern for us.  We take each year as it comes and stay positive.The last year has seen the arrival of a new container, providing welcome additional storage for shop supplies.  The shop is usually open on  Sundays (March - July and September – November)  from 11–1 and open to anybody.  We stock gardening supplies as well as seed potatoes, onion sets and seeds so please come and visit us.  We are on Bromyard Avenue, W3.Sadly we recently lost one of our longest-standing gardeners, John Roberts.  As well as his own plot, John took on a piece of very poor land on the Bromyard site which could not be fairly leased as an allotment.  He battled shade and poor soil to grow an assortment of vegetables and fruit with mixed success and we have

decided to turn this area into a memorial glade where we can encourage wildlife and native flowers and trees – the latter planted in memory of former plot holders.

We hope to make some benches so that there are places to sit quietly and enjoy the surroundings.Susanna Harrison

(Joint Sec AGA)

BrenthamIt’s been a busy time at Brentham with the reorganisation of our Trading Hut, involving, repainting the installation of solar powered lighting and setting up of tea and coffee making facilities, See the main picture at the front of the newsletter and the pictures opposite from the gala opening a couple of weeks ago.Add in a work party, to clear up the car park and communal areas, work on the extension of our all-weather paths, preparation work for the installation of composting toilets and repair work on our ageing water supply system. That’s all beside the actual cultivation of our plots!

We will be taking a little break before our next big social event – the annual Plant Sale on Sunday May 14th. All visitors welcome!

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