Lynwood Allotment Association March 2016 Newsletter Hello Welcome to new members joining our friendly and co-operative Association and who are looking forward to the pleasure of cultivating and eating a wide range of healthy fruit and vegetables. Goodbye Our 26 th AGM gave us the opportunity to say goodbye to Tony Johannsen. Tony was involved in the setting up of the Association which he chaired for 25 years. Paul Thompson, who has been on the Committee for many years has taken up the reins. As a memento of his tenure Tony was presented with a watercolour of the allotment donated by John Ince and framed by the Association. NEWS Elmbridge have offered to renew the lease for a term of 5 years. Discussions on this proposal have not yet commenced. Rent and Membership Fee Thank you for your prompt payment of rent and membership fees. If you have not yet paid please make payment now as your tenancy may be terminated if in arrears at 30 March. Waiting list The allotment is fully let but plots do become available during the year. If you have a friend who wishes to become a plot holder and has the motivation and ability to put in the hard work necessary to maintain a plot successfully please ask them to contact Gill Vickers, Membership Secretary.
LAA Summer Barbecue: Saturday 16 July 2016 Put the date in your diary! Julie and Delia are organising another social event with musical entertainment provided by Alun Davies and friends. Esher and Molesey Garden Society Flower and Vegetable Show 13 th August 2016 It is not too early to start planning for this event. It would be great to have plenty of entries from Members, either individually or as part of the LAA s entry. Individual entries will contribute to the overall score in our ambition to be the winning allotment. If you are interested in taking part in the LAA s entry, have a word with Paul Thompson. Esher and Molesey Garden Society (EMGS) Associate Membership All LAA members have associate membership of EMGS. Associate membership entitles you to its thrice yearly newsletter and use of its garden supply shop at Beauchamp Road Allotments in East Molesey. See its newsletter www.eshermoleseygardensociety.org.uk for prices and opening hours. Associate Membership does not include free entry to its monthly talks, but is payable at a very reasonable 1. Potatoes If you do not yet have your seed potatoes Vic on plot 35 may still have some for sale. ENVIRONMENT What a load of rubbish - Site Spring Clean Easter Weekend There will be a skip on site over the Easter bank holiday to dispose of non biodegradable rubbish found on the allotment site only, e.g. old carpet. Please don t use the skip for any compostable rubbish or for household items. Could members please clear litter from the hedges or woodland around their plots? Please do not use communal areas or the precious woodland areas as a rubbish tip it spoils a lovely environment for everyone. Members are expected to deal with rubbish from their plots on their own plots by: 1. composting 2. small bonfires which must be fully attended until out, give off minimal smoke and must not contain plastics. 3. taking it home and putting it in their domestic bin
Bonfires A complaint has been received from a neighbouring property concerning a bonfire with high flames left unattended. Please be reminded of the LAA Bonfire Code: consider neighbours and surrounding houses do not burn green material compost this where possible only burn dry material to avoid excessive smoke burning plastics, rubber and household waste is forbidden burn only on a calm day when there is little wind do not leave fire unattended extinguish before leaving the site Wildlife Woodland A beautiful kestrel nested in the woods last year. Perhaps it has been instrumental in eliminating the rat population which had been noticeable in the previous year. With regular sightings of bats we are becoming a wildlife haven. It would be great to see some hedgehogs. Also newts in the ponds. Potential beekeepers should make contact with Vic Choules, plot 35. Please make sure your allotment activities don t stray into the woodland. If they do, please move these back onto your plot. Water Water will be back on around 1st April. If any of the water taps and their tanks look as if they need attention please let a member of the committee know. The water pipe feeding the water tanks runs only a foot beneath the surface down the left hand side of the central track as you face the Lynwood estate. Please maintain un-dug a 750mm strip alongside the road to protect the pipe. Our water supply is metered don t waste it. Neglected plots The site is looking good with most allotments well tended. Neglected plots spread unwanted weeds and cause other problems for adjoining plot holders. It is also difficult explain their existence to those on the waiting list who are keen to get a plot. The terms of the lease requires all plot holders to maintain their plots clean, free from weeds and in a good state of cultivation, so neglect of plots is not something which your committee can ignore. Committee members carry out inspections at various times of the year and where necessary encourage plot holders whose plots appear to be getting out of hand to put them in order. If this does not happen and there is no satisfactory explanation, the plot holder may be given 30 days notice of the termination of their lease or their annual tenancy is not renewed We are keen to maintain a friendly and informal atmosphere on the site and will not take action against a plot holder who we feel is making a genuine effort with their plot or has a short term problem that they tell us about. At the same time,
whilst we aim not to enforce the rules excessively, we will and do take action if plots are neglected. Inspections also check that the paths between plots are clear and maintained. Shed size Individual leases state that plot holders can only have on their plot a single shed which must be made of wood and no bigger than 6 x4, and no higher than 6 (or 8 to the eaves). A number of sheds may pre-date the introduction of this requirement (known as legacy sheds ). We expect all new sheds to meet the lease s requirement and encourage all plot holders, as the opportunity arises, to replace or modify their sheds to comply. Whilst some legacy sheds can possibly be retained, it may be necessary at some time in the future, e.g. if Elmbridge require this, to require existing plot holders who now have over-sized sheds to comply with the rule. If so, we will seek to give you as much notice as possible. SHARING Produce and News Stand The produce stand is provided for members to leave excess produce, seeds, plants and notices. It is also where the Esher and Molesey Garden Society Newsletters are left for members who are not on a delivery run. Facebook FACILITIES Manure etc We have a Facebook page on which we post news etc and you can post information, pictures, swaps of, or requests for, seeds plants etc https://www.facebook.com/lynwood-allotments- 558635770839840/?fref=ts We aim to arrange up to four deliveries of manure per year to the site. This does come at a cost to the LAA of 120 per lorry load. Sometimes it is possible to source extra loads free of delivery charges, but this is usually fresh and needs to rot down for several months before it is useable. We hope to secure further free supplies of manure which will need to rot for a year before use. To store this we will need to clear a bay. Any volunteers for a working party to assist with this? Please let Eunice know if you can help. We have had a plentiful supply of woodchip. The leaf mould looks rather overgrown but what lies beneath is some very rich material. Now is the time to use it up to make room for more. Communal Equipment in the Green Metal Shed Dave Drake who takes care of the LAA s communal equipment would be grateful for offers of assistance. Don t forget to record your use of equipment in the book, reporting any items needing repair or maintenance, and remember to make the necessary payment.
Site Security Most members close and lock the main gate behind them. Apart from the occasional item being dropped over the hedge this has reduced fly tipping and trespassing. It has also improved everyone s security. Do remember to bring your gate key with you when visiting the site, just in case you get locked in! VISITORS Associate Members Members are free to have occasional, one-off help from a friend or family member but, subject to that exception, only members and registered Associate Members may work the plots. If you have a partner or friend who works your plot with you and who is not a member or associate, please let the Membership Secretary know. Children Dogs It is good to see children helping on their family plots and learning about growing food but allotments can be dangerous places. Could parents please keep children on their plot and under close supervision at all times. Children must not go on to other members plots as carefully tended crops can easily get damaged. Would members ensure that dogs stay with them on their plot to avoid fouling other plots. 2016 Committee: Eunice Bayne Resources Plot 3 Graham Secretary Plot 23 Howard Charlotte Plot 93 McGee Margaret Treasurer Plot 35 Smith, and Vic Choules Paul Thompson Chairman Plot 53 Gill Vickers Membership Plot 69 Secretary See notice board for email addresses and phone numbers