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GOSPORT SITES AND WARDENS.
 
 
UP-DATED INFORMATION FOR THE ELSON and GOSPORT SITES.
 
The years 2000-2002 can now be found on the Archives page
 
Please note that the water will be turned off at the end of October for the Winter until next March.
JANUARY 2003
A reminder it is now time to renew your membership to G.A.H.& G.A. This can be done at any of the site stores. We would welcome any new members too.
At the time of writing there are plots available on most sites. Please telephone Gosport Council, 023 92545729 for further information.
MARCH
A reminder that on the 18th of March the G.A.H. & G. Assoc. has arranged an evening with Mr. Trim from the National Vegetable Society, at H.E.D.C.A. Coombe Road, Elson, Gosport at 7.30 pm. Mr. Trim advises on fruit and vegetable growing and is a NVS show judges. This should be a very interesting evening and everyone with an interest in vegetable growing is welcome. Admission is free to members and £l. to non members. Light refreshments included.
 
The Gosport Borough Council 'Coastline' has included in this months edition an article 'Growing for Health' by the G.A.H. & G. Assoc. If you have missed it and would like a copy please email growingforhealth@saundersallotment.co.uk
 
Our evening on the 18th with Mr. Trim from the N.V.S. was very enjoyable with about 100 attending. Our sincere thanks to all who helped to make this, our first social evening, such a success. It has given us plenty of thoughts for future events.
APRIL
A reminder that the G.A.H. & G. A. will be holding its annual A.G.M. on Tuesday 15th April at 7.30 pm at H.E.D.C.A. Coombe Road. Gosport. Members and non members are welcome. Do come along and air your views.
The work relaying and leveling of our main paths at Elson are now nearly completed. This has made a great improvement to our site making it much easier for plotholders to drive to their plots to load and unload etc.
SEPTEMBER
The sale of 10 plots at the Camden site has now been completed by Gosport Borough Council and work has started on the new Doctors Surgery.
The G.A.H. & G.A. held their usual stall at the Alverstoke Michaelmas Fayre on Saturday 27th and raised just over £200 from the sale of produce donated by plotholders grown on their allotments. A very successful and enjoyable day was had by all.
OCTOBER
An Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting was held by the Borough Council on Monday 13th October when it was agreed that a working party of 3 councillors will be set up to look into the whole aspect of allotments within the Borough of Gosport. It was agreed that the Councillors report back to the Committee within 6 months.
NOVEMBER
On the use of 'wood chippings saga', we have now received further favourable reports from RHS, Wisley and also the Arboricultural Association. These will be passed to the Borough Council and we hope this matter will soon be brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
JANUARY 2004d
 
A reminder it is now time to renew your membership to the GAH&G Assoc. This can be done at any of the site stores for £2.50. New members are very welcome at just £3.00 for the first year.
 
By now all plotholders will have received a letter from The Gosport Borough Council outlining their plans to hold a public meeting on 18th February (venue to to arranged) with regard to 'Borough -Wide Review of Allotments'. It is very important that as many plotholders as posible attend this meeting to ensure that our views are made known. This will have an important bearing on the future of our allotments in Gosport. Please ensure all forms are returned as soon as possible.
FEBRUARY.
 
The public meeting with regard to 'Borough - Wide Review of Allotments will be held at Gosport Town Hall at 6.30 pm. on the 18th February.
 
Over a 100 plot holders attended the meeting with some 40 or so having to be turned away because the Council Chamber was limited to the number it can hold and it would have contravened the Health and Safety Regulations. However, a lively debate was held with many points raised. The councillors now have until June to prepare their report and make their recommendations to the Council.
MARCH
A summary of the salient points and concerns raised at the public meeting on 18th February, has been issued by the Borough Council and can be read by clicking here.
APRIL
The G.A.H.&G.A. AGM was held on the 13th. Approx 20 members and the committee attended. Changes to the committee were nominated and accepted. Mr. David Gatrell is now Presedent, Mr. Steve Broughton is Chair Person and Mr Jim More is Vice-chair Person. Other posts remain the same.
It was agreed to increase the membership subscription to £3.00 per person as from January 2005.
JUNE
Due to the local elections held earlier this month we are still waiting for the Councils report on the public meeting held in February. Councillors Trian and Clinton held their seats but Councillor Russell did not. We have been assured this will not effect the outcome of the report. A copy will be passed to the G.A.&D.A. as soon as it becomes available.
JULY
'Alive and Kicking' will again be held this year on July 24th at Walpole Park and the G.A.&G.A. will be holding their usual stall. No selling is allowed at this event, it will be promotional only.
AUGUST
The results of the Gosport Allotments Working Group Scrutiny Committee are now available and can be read by clicking the link below.
http://www.gosport.gov.uk/sections/democratic-services/agendas-minutes-reports/services-overview-and-scrutiny-committee/agendas/2004/05-08-2004
SEPTEMBER
Despite a damp and windy day the G.A.& G.A. held their usual stall at the Michaelmas Fayre in Walpole Park on the 18th September. The sum of approx. £260 was raised from the sale of produce and plants donated by plotholders.
OCTOBER
ALLOTMENT WORKING GROUP
On the surface it might seem that the report of the Allotment Working Group has faded into oblivion. In fact it was formally submitted to the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5th August 2004, and was generally well received by members with only slight changes.
Copies of this report were left at each of the allotment stores for you to see and read.
It now means that the next stage in the Gosport Council's process is to place the report before the Community and Environment Board.
This meeting, will be held on
Monday 1st November 2004 at 6.00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall.
It is vital that as many plot holders as possible attend this meeting.
Please support your Committee.
NOVEMBER
As reported in The News on Tuesday 2nd November 2004, Allotment-holders will have a say in a revamp of up to £200.000 for plots across Gosport.
The cash has come from the sale of part of Camden allotments in Whites Place to make way for the new Forton Medical Centre in Forton.
Now Gosport Borough Council wants to plough the funds back into fruit and vegetable plots to improve security and encourage more people to take up gardening.
Allotment owners will join a panel of councillors to decide how the money should be spent.
The cash could be used to tidy up the allotments as well as stepping up security to combat vandalism. The initiative follows a year-long review of allotments in the town after plot-holders complained the council wasn't proactive enough in promoting them and that a generation was being 'by-passed'.
There is currently 157 vacant plots of the 11 sites in the borough.
JANUARY 2005
The year as started with the unwelcome news that 21 sheds on the Elson site have been broken into also the site stores at Brockhurst. Nothing of value was taken - just sheer vandalism. The police have been informed. Items were removed by the police in the hope of matching a DNA test.
MARCH
12th of the month and a delivery of wood chippings arrived at Elson. This I understand was at the request of one of our plotholders to Gosport Borough Council. I hope that now this will be readily available to all plot holders in the future.
APRIL
The G.A.H. & G.A. AGM was held on Tuesday 19th April. It was agreed that subscriptions would be raised to £4. per person from January 2006.
 
The first meeting of the Allotment Stakeholders Group was held on Thursday 21st April at 6.30pm.
The group comprised of 3 elected Members from Gosport Borough Council, 3 representatives from the G.A.H.&G.A, 1 representative from the Diocese Allotments and 2 represetatives from Non-Assocation Plot Holders.
The object of the meeting was to elect a Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Discuss the Objects and Terms of Reference and to agree on the frequency of meetings.
It was agreed that Security at all allotments sites is the first priority. Estimates will be obained for new locks etc.
The next meeting will be held on May 26th. at 6.00 pm at the Town Hall.
MAY
May 26th - Allotment Stakeholders Consultative Group met to discuss the Provision of Security at Gosport's allotment sites. The recommendations were
(a) the Community and Environment Board be requested to approve the provision of new, improved padlocks and keys together with security signage at all allotment sites owned by Gosport Borough Council at an estimated cost of £7,940; and
(b) the Rectory Allotment Site be included in this project subject to the resolution of any legal considerations, and that the Borough Solicitor be requested to investigate the legal implications of the inclusion of the Rectory Allotment Site.
JUNE
June 13th - the Community and Environment Board met and it was agreed that the recommendations of May 26th be carried out. Full details can be read on the Gosport Borough Council's web site at www.gosport.gov.uk
OCTOBER
 
October 6th - At the Community and Enviroment Board meeting a local Bee keeper was invited to attend to inform the committee on the advantages of keeping bees on an allotment. It was agreed to ask as many allotment holders as possible whether they objected or not and report back at the next meeting. Full details can be read on the council's web site as above.
 
A reminder that all seed orders should be returned to your storeman by 21st October.
DECEMBER
 
A reminder that subscriptions to the Gosport Allotment Holders & Gardeners Association are due for renewal in January 2006 at the increased rate of £4.00 per person.
JANUARY 2006
Some welcome news to start the New Year.
Vandals have many times damaged sheds and dug up plots at Camden Allotments. But now Gosport Borough Council is to spend £34,700.00 replacing the filmsy wooden perimeter fence with a 1.8m steel bow top railings.
New security locks are to be fitted to all sites. Work will commnece in June.
Plotholders have been asked to let the Borough Council know of their views as to the provision of Bees on allotments.
APRIL
The G.A.H. & G.A. held their AGM on 13th April and were pleased to elect and welcome new Vice-Chairman Mr. Peter Almond. It was also agreed there should be a new 'family subscription' as from 2007.
JANUARY 2007
 
A reminder that subscriptions are now due and can renewed at any of the site stores. £5.00 per member plus £1.00 for any additional family member. New members are always welcome.
The G.A.H. & G. A. are to stage their first display stand at this years Southsea Show. If you are interested in helping with the supply of fruit and vegetables please contact your site storeperson for further information.
 
The distribution of new site security keys will commence from 29th January. See your rental renewal invoice for details.
 
MARCH
Summer Show schedules are now available at your site stores.
The G.A.H. & G. A. Annual General Meeting will be held on April 10th at 8. pm at HEDCA, Coombe Road. Gosport.
 
MAY
 
Most of the allotment sites now have waiting lists. Anyone interested in taking on a plot should contact the Council for site details.
http://www.gosport.gov.uk/sections/your-council/council-services/leisure--amenities/allotments
Bonfires are to be banned at all sites from 30th July. More skips will be provided to dispose of anything that is not compostable.
Work is to start at the beginning of June at the Elson site to install security fencing along the playing field side.
 
AUGUST
 
A new security fence has been erected along the playing field side of the Elson site.
 
NOVEMBER
 
Bonfires are now being allowed from 5.30pm till 10.00 pm until the end of January 2008.
There is now a long waiting list for plots at Elson.
2008
There will be a plant and gardening sale at the Elson site stores at the end of April. Final date to be arranged. Any surplus plants, gadening accessories you may have, please bring them along and we will sell them for you deducting just 10% as a donation towards the Associations funds.
New arrivals in stock at the store. January, 2008
 
The new store at Elson was erected in April,2005 and Steve, our storeman has made many improvements keeping it well stocked with all your gardening needs. He is on site most days willing to help with anything you might need. If it is not in the store, I am sure he can obtain it for you. Please do not hesitate to ask.
Onion sets and shallotts are available now.
Broad Beans - Aquadulce Claudia @ £1.40 per pound
    (All still at last years prices)
A selection of soft fruit and fruit trees can now be ordered through your local storeman for Autumn/Winter planting.
A good selection of seed potatoes at very competative prices will be in your stores from February - please do ask, I am sure you will find a variety to suit your needs.
 
Onion sets will be available from January 2008.
Sturon Globe, Sturton and Red Barron, Also Shallotts - Golden Gourmet . All at last years prices of just 90p per pound.
 
January 2008 - The stores are now fully stocked with all the usual composts, slug pellets, insecticides, canes, etc. at very reasonable prices. Please support your local stores.
      Good Value - White Fleece 2 metres wide still @ 50p per metre
      also 2 metre wide netting @ 60p per metre. Ideal for keeping birds and butterflies off your crops.
Topical Tip:
Put a few knobs of charcoal in your water butt to keep the water fresh and clean. Tie in a piece of netting with a small weight to stop it from floating to the top.
HappyGardening
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[Home Page] [A Year in the Life of our Plot 2000] [Diary 2001] [Diary 2002] [Diary 2003][Diary 2004][Diary 2005][Diary 2006][Diary 2007][Diary 2008][Typical plots on the Elson Site][Gosport's Allotment Sites] [G.A.H. & G. Assoc. Newsletters] [Wild Life Area] [Conservation Project] [Badgers][Forum] [Questions and Answers] [Ray's Plot] [Links] [Hints & Tips]