Year / Planting Season 2013-2014
Allotment First Established: 2010 2012 / 2013: 21 Plots 24 Active members 2013 / 2014: 24 Plots 28 Active members (Not including number of schoolchildren & members children attending!)
Annual Year runs Oct to Sept. Following AGM in Oct 2013, priorities for 2013 / 2014 can summarised as follows; Growth: In Plots, Member Numbers, Engagement with Schools / Community Groups, in maximising unused areas for community crops, in biodiversity promotion / plant types, promoting national initiatives. Access: Improved pathways, disabled access, Support to gala Day and Open Day initiatives. Sustainability: Fundraising; Increased use of Eco systems and products (Water / Energy / Fertilisers).
Not solely a Showpiece Garden, this is a working allotment. Major Achievements are as follows; Area reshaped and 3 addition plots created / 4 new members active. Over 195 metres of new footpaths laid to improve access. 10 new raised planting areas created to grow vegetables for Senior Citizens Lunchclub and Plains Food Bank New Wildlife Garden with Pond created to promote biodiversity and support education projects with local schools. New Communal Herb Garden built. 5 new greenhouses built for members, from recycled materials, to extend growing year / increase productivity. Improved ECO footprint (increased use of solar power vs fossil fuel; increase in rain water capture / use, green plant food etc.)
(Continued) Supporting Care Home in creation of on-site garden (building of Greenhouse, Gazebo and provision of flower & vegetable plugs.) Separate exercises to support RHS Growing Gold and Grow Wild campaigns, increase in floral types / displays. Weekly engagement with and support to local Primary School (incl. teaching plans / input to Teachers In-Service Days.) Improved links with local specialist Secondary School (St. Phillips Residential and Day Care School). Supporting Local Gala Day initiative.
Allotment Members Practice and Teach Recycling and Gardening to School Eco-Group (Science and Technology) Before those bottles go in the Blue Bin.. Free solar heating for the Greenhouse.. the perfect Watering Can for Small Hands / Arms, and then.
Allotment Members Practice and Teach Recycling and Gardening to School Eco-Group (Science and Technology) And Then.. A Plant Cloche!! Plant Pot Drip Tray To Save Water! BEFORE THEY ARE PROCESSED FOR RECYCLING!!!
OCTOBER 2013 The Halloween Party attracts 120 individuals from Primary School age to Senior Citizens and raises a staggering 750 to support the Groups work for the year to follow
OCTOBER 2013 And a new Herb garden is created. Then (left) And now (below)
NOVEMBER 2013 Old Area (Above) Work starts to create 3 new Vegetable plots from existing underutilised area New Plots In progress!!
NOVEMBER 2013 Waste Ground is drained and dug over to build Wildflower Garden. And our dilapidated Composter is rebuilt, refurbished and area paved.
DECEMBER 2013 A Mild December Allows Work to begin on New Pathways
DECEMBER 2013 and allows our local Schools to Plant up daffodil bulbs and bushes in our fenceline planters to be ready to bring ready colour for the Growing Gold activity in April!
JANUARY 2014 (Picture Mik Ruddy, Chairman. Link member for Care Home = Jim Reilly) It s cold, but at least it s dry, and first a greenhouse, and then a gazebo, are built and delivered to the Plains Care Home. Additional Raised Beds are also built and located for Communal Crop Planting
FEBRUARY 2013 (Before) Wildlife / Wildflower Garden is finished, ready for planting. Pond will follow later! (Link Member = Gordon White) (After)
FEBRUARY 2014..And we are grateful to receive two wooden picnic benches, especially built for us by the boys of St. Phillips Residential School, with whom we have developed new links. (Link Members Ann and Bob Summerhill)
MARCH 2014 Plains Primary School Pupils have a day planting out our new Wildflower garden for us, and populating Bee Street for our Grow Wild Campaign. (Link Member = Gordon White)
MARCH 2014 And as well as putting rain collection butts on cabins etc, we do an Eco Prep Up for the Growing Season! (Link member = Mik Ruddy)
APRIL 2014 Our School Children Return to Plant Yellow Wildflowers, Calendula and Sun Flowers in Support of the Growing Gold Campaign.
MAY 2014 As we look to clearly sign as many permanent plantings as possible, 5 monolithic new self build greenhouses begin to appear!
JUNE 2014 Work is completed on new pathways with all major thoroughfares paved And - Having not been able to staff a stand at the Plains Gala Day in 2013, we return in 2014 and receive a very good response and interest from two potential new members for 2014 / 2015.
JULY 2014 Our New Wildlife Pond is prepared, ready for finishing and occupation from August onwards!
AUGUST 2014 We relax, enjoy the space, and look forward to our Annual Open Day and Welcoming Visitors from the Local Area and Beautiful Scotland!
THANK YOU! And..
THE FUTURE?