Newhall Allotment Association 2017

Transcription

1 Dear Plotholder, Newhall Allotment Association 2017 Guidance Notes Your committee felt it would be a good idea to let you have some general information about our allotments. This was originally intended for new plotholders, but it will be a reminder for existing plotholders of a few things which may have been forgotten. It is intended to be in addition to the official Council Rules which you should have received a copy of. As well to providing information there are several points relating to making the site safer and more pleasant for all of us and to help us to be good neighbours. By the nature of these things there are some "Thou Must Nots" but we do not want to be too dictatorial. We want you to enjoy working your plot in the way that you wish (within the Council rules of course!). If you have some special arrangements with your neighbours and everyone is happy then fine, but if there are disputes we will have to decide based on these notes and the Council Rules. Our aim is to gradually improve the site generally, to improve the level of cultivation and to help plot holders work enjoyably and safely. Some of our targets are: An Annual show Social Events Reducing the number of run down plots Improving drainage Developing the Wild Life area We hold regular work parties and all plotholders are encouraged to come along and help to maintain and improve our allotments. Security Newhall Allotment Association Guidance Notes Keeping out vandals, thieves, trespassers etc. requires constant awareness by all plot holders. The Council have recently improved the fencing and your committee have tried to improve security, but we need your help. Despite all best efforts break ins do happen from time to time. We recommend that you do not keep valuable tools such as strimmers or Rotavators in your shed. These will attract regular thieves to the site if found. Even the most secure can be broken into. Anti-Vandal Measures Fences Please do not leave anything next to a perimeter fence, especially down the railway side, that will allow vandals to climb over the fence e.g. sheds, compost heaps, tubs, slabs etc. Place sheds at the top of the plot away from the fence. If you have inherited a shed by the fence which is difficult to move, see a

2 committee member about some barbed wire or antivandal paint to put on the top. If you see any signs of people getting over (Dirt on top of the fence, footprints etc) please let a committee member know. Sheds A number of sheds have been burnt over the last few years. If buying a new shed, consider a metal one. Do not keep easily flammable things like tyres, paint or solvents on your plots and try to minimise other easily used flammables such as paper and wood. Do not make it easier for the fire starter. Gates Ensure that gates are closed and padlocked behind you every time you pass through. Check that the padlock is properly fastened after locking. Reporting Vandalism If you have suffered a problem let the Secretary know. If anything has been seriously damaged or stolen report it to the local police. They will give you a crime number which you should give to the Secretary. Records are kept, and information is collated. Pressure is then put on the Council when there are problems. Report produce theft to the Secretary. Bonfires Due to problems in the past with smoke drifting to nearby houses we have volunteered to restrict bonfires to the months of November and March only. Abuse of this, and more complaints, could lead to the council imposing a total ban. * If your smoke is upsetting a plot holder the fire is to be extinguished. * No fires to be left unattended, they must be put out before leaving the plot. * Only material off your plot is to be burnt. The council tip is nearby in Norris Way if there is material you need to get rid of. * You should only burn diseased or difficult to move items. * Do not bring on site old tyres, pallets, wood etc to get the fire going. Toilets First Aid There is a ladies and a gents toilet at the far end of the site (furthest from the site shop) on the railway side. A basic first aid kit is kept in the ladies toilet and in the Shed, with disinfectant, plasters and bandage. Please restock any items you need to use. Manure Areas The front plot gives up a six feet deep strip at the road end to store manure. This is divided across the centre and the back plot or B plot has the section next to the path. In return the back plot gives up a 3-foot strip to the front plot. For mini plots or quarter plots the relevant areas are halved. Hose Pipes We are not allowed to use hose pipes to water plots directly Hoses may only be used to fill water butts on your plot. With increasing drought concerns do not abuse this or we may find the water cut off by the Council. City wide the water bill for allotments is higher than the total revenues from letting plots and they are continually monitoring water usage. Do not leave hose pipes running when plot unattended. * If another plot holder needs to fill a watering can please allow them to disconnect the hose and reconnect when they have filled up. Exchange Table Any excess produce, spare plants, seeds, tools etc. can be left on the table in front of the Site Shop. Just help yourself and remember to put something on next time you have a glut.

3 Paths Shared paths between allotments must be kept free from obstruction. They must be a minimum of 2 feet wide and maintained jointly. Rubbish on Site Do not bring anything onto your plot that is not intended for its improvement or cultivation. Do not dump rubbish on your plot or anywhere else on the site. Chemicals and Sprays We are not an "organic" site, but you must use only chemicals which are approved for use as "Garden Chemicals". When spraying weed killers do not spray too close to the edge of your plot as it can soak through and kill neighbours produce. Do not spray in windy conditions. A fine rose watering can is much more accurate than a pump sprayer. The best way to suppress weeds is regular hoeing or covering with polythene or weed control sheeting. Condition of Plots All plots must be maintained in good condition and weeds especially should be kept down to prevent seed blowing onto neighbouring plots. Any plot holder letting their plot become a nuisance to neighbours will be warned by a Letter of Concern from the Committee. If there is no response the Council may be asked to issue a warning. If this is ignored they may then begin the process of evicting the offending plot holder. All plots are inspected at intervals during the year to ensure they meet the Council standard for level of cultivation. If you have any special problems keeping up your plot such as long-term illness or injury, please let the Secretary know. With the growing demand for allotment spaces it is only fair that the plots are used by people keen to work the plots. If you have decided to give up your plot during the year, please inform the Secretary in writing so that the plot can be re-let from the waiting list. Site Speed Limit There is a site speed limit of 5 m.p.h. Drive carefully at all times. Plot Marking Please ensure your plot is clearly marked to help deliveries, council visitors etc. It is a requirement of the Allotment Rules (12.1) that plots be clearly marked. Growing tips The Newhall site can be particularly windy and damp during the winter. It is also prone to early and late frosts. We suggest that you do not try to put seeds or plants in too early in the season without some means of protection such as cloches or fleece. As a rule, wait until the ground is reasonably warm and dry before sowing and not just because the packet says it s time to sow. If you want early crops and with a much higher germination rate, try sowing in pots or trays at home and transplanting them later. This works especially well for early peas, beans and sweet corn. For a very useful reference guide to varieties, cultivation and problems try "The New Vegetable & Herb Expert" by Dr. D.G. Hessayon. Your neighbours are the best experts on what will grow best and local growing problems. Introduce yourself and pick their brains!

4 Site Shop We run a shop from the site shed which is manned on Sunday mornings during the growing season. At other times if there is a Committee member on site they may on request open and serve you. The aim is to supply bulkier items such as Growmore, peat, lime and canes etc. A full list of products and prices is pinned on the Notice Board. In the spring a range of seed potatoes is available and in the autumn orders are taken for Kings Seeds. Please let us know if there are additional items that you think it would be worthwhile to stock. Dogs and Kids Dogs should be kept on a lead. It can be dangerous for kids and dogs to run around freely. There are ditches full of water, glass panes, strings to trip over, canes and other hazards. Don't let dogs or kids run across other people s plots. Contacting a Committee Member A list of all committee members and their plot numbers is pinned to the site hut notice board. Contact numbers are also given for the Chairman and Secretary. Messages can be left at the site shop on Sunday mornings. Visit our website at Newhall Allotments Association Safety Guidance All activities carry an element of risk and allotment gardening is no exception. Plotholders are asked to take health and safety needs seriously and approach the issue sensibly. We all have a general duty of care to look after people who come onto our plots - whether invited or not! If you are a paid-up member of the Association, then you do have Liability Insurance. If you are not a member you should arrange your own cover. The Association committee have a duty of care to look after the safety of people on site, although overall responsibility for Health and Safety rests with the Council. To help us all work more safely please take note of the following: Paths and Trip Hazards Don`t obstruct paths and remove any trip hazards. Don`t leave tools lying around where someone could trip over them. Take care where you use glass sheets and remove any broken glass immediately. Don`t let drainage ditches get too deep and water filled. Ponds on plots must be shallow and slope gently at the sides. Kids and Animals Keep an eye on what the kids are up to and keep a leash on your dog. You are responsible for them. Pesticides and Chemicals Are they safely stored away from kids? Power Tools Don`t forget the safety goggles, ear defenders, gloves and strong boots. Give your tools a check over. Watch out for neighbours and flying stones. Anti-Vandal Paint and Barbed Wire These have been used on the tops of gates and fencing in vulnerable spots. They are high up and should not be a hazard under normal conditions. Driving

5 Don`t forget there is a 5m.p.h. Speed limit on site. Tetanus A nasty disease when soil gets into a cut, especially manured soil. A jab will prevent it but not cure it. Have you had your jab? Mobile Phone Are you the only one left on site? Getting dark? Keep your mobile phone handy. Accident Book and First Aid The council now require us to record serious accidents on site in their Accident Book which is kept in the shop, especially if hospital treatment is required. Please report accidents to any committee member. Basic first aid kits are kept in the Ladies Toilet and in the shop. Reporting Hazards If you see something on site that you think is a hazard, please report it to a committee member or direct to the Allotments Dept. on