News from the Chair
Well here we are into 2010 and as the Great
Snow the Winter Wonderland of 2010 (well it was when I wrote this).
Snow or not, I have no doubt the well organised among you will
already have already sown the likes of Onion and Leek seed early
in January; I guess I will be playing catch up again this year.
Before we get into the plans for this year I would first of all
take a moment to thank those of you who have given your support
to the Association in the last year; from the Newsletter Deliverers,
those who have given plants and produce for sale which gave us
our best fund raising year ever, those who have given their time
and labour, plants, pots and produce for displays, shows and fayre
- thank you all very much. You will be very generous if you can
do it again in 2010.
Plans are shaping up for 2010 with our now well established Summer
Show and, following a great first Pumpkin and Produce Fayre, we
will put it on again this year. Rumour has it there will be a
new category for home made wines and cider - so dust of your demijohn's
to see what you can ferment.
There is also another excursion planned in Jun, this time to Kew
Gardens which we hope will prove as popular as the trip to Wisley
last year.
Whatever you get up to this year then have fun growing it and
I look forward to seeing you round the plots.
Jim.
023 92368317
gahaga.chairman@ntlworld.com
Information from Bill the Supply Guy
By the time you read this newsletter it
is hoped that there may still be some Onions & shallots available
from site stores and the Garlic will have been delivered.
Potato orders are ready for collection if you haven't picked them
up already but there has been some disappointments with certain
varieties not being viable to order and then the supplier deciding
to change other varieties after the order was placed. The Ulster
Chieftain variety which proved popular last year is unavailable
from any of my three sources - a replacement called Organic Colleen
is available otherwise unhappy punters can have a refund.
This months RHS magazine has highlighted a few pesticides /insecticides
that are being withdrawn next year.
DITHANE products are out from June 2010 with a year to use existing
stock although a replacement is being produced which is a Fruit
& Veg disease controller based on Copper oxychloride. But
until this is released the only fight against blight is Bordeaux
Mixture.
Also being withdrawn next year is Bifenthrin products such as
Rose Clear Multirose and the Bug Clear range but again a replacement
has been found for the Bug Clear products.
More of a worry is the re-introduction of Aminopyralid as a weed
killer in commercial use, this has been found to contaminate manure
due to its presence in forage for used in hay. In some parts of
the country people have lost a lot of crops because the contamination
remains in the soil for over a year.
Try something new to BEAT the PIGEON MENACE. I have been asked
to investigate GRAZER's Amenity Deer /Rabbit repellent as reports
from some allotment holders say it is also very good against Pigeons.
It is however expensive at £55 a litre. It can be obtained
through Marshall's seeds 1090-3552 cost £12.95 plus postage
for 250ml.
Bill
RHS STUFF
A reminder that our affiliation to the Royal Horticultural Society
allows Association Members to access to free gardening advice
from RHS Experts. To do this you will need to quote our Affiliation
Number which is available from your local store together with
the contact details.
THE FIELDFARE
During the very cold spell of weather in
the beginning of December large flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings
were seen in various parts of Gosport and surrounding areas. These
birds come from the Northern parts of Europe and generally only
arrive in the South when their food supplies have run out.Their
food seems to consist of various berried trees such as Yew, Hawthorn,Rowan
and berried shrubs like Berberis and pyracanthus which are abundant
in the Stoke Road area.
They are fairly shy birds and move around quickly from tree to
tree stripping the berries off before moving on. The Fieldfare
is similar to a large Thrush with a greyish head ,black tail and
a well spotted breast.
The Redwing, which often accompanies them, is somewhat smaller
but very conspicuous by its red-under wing and a white stripe
over its eyes .
Many Fieldfares and Redwings were seen in Gosport park feeding
on the berries of the Yew trees there. We also had them in the
garden feeding off the bird food that had been put down.
Birdman of Alverstoke
MIDDLECROFT STORE BUILDING
Depending when you read this the brand new Middlecroft Store is
either not quite there yet or it's open for business. Thanks
go to Chairman Jim and Sons who did some heavy duty concrete cracking
and trench digging, Vice-Chairman Peter for preparing for the
new base, the lifters and shifters who helped clear the rubble
and stuff left behind, and not least to Derek Smith the Middlecroft
Storeman who thought the new store would never happen but has
de-stocked and re-stocked his store and rebuilt the shelves and
got back into business again. Over to you Derek!
Thank you all.
COMMITTEE VACANCIES - IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED
Public Relations
Are you interested in producing an improved Newsletter, or keeping
our Members and the Public up to date with what we do, then this
is the job for you! Volunteer needed, please, to get involved
with PR stuff and other stuff.
Member Registrar
An essential back office job for someone who keeps tabs on who
has paid up membership and gets the Newsletter out to members
(among other things). If you have access to a computer/e-mail
it would be handy, but not essential because we do shuffle tasks
around.
Assistant Brockhurst Storeperson
Not a committee job as such, but as the number of plot holders
at Brockhurst continues to increase then Jim thinks it is a good
idea to open the store more often during the busy period from
March to July. The idea is to open the store on another day in
the week, perhaps a weekday morning or evening. If you want to
have a go at being a volunteer shopkeeper at Brockhurst and provide
a service to plotholders then please make yourself known to Jim
at the store (currently Sunday 0930 - 1100). Please be sure you
can honour any commitment we will advertise to members/plotholders.
MANURE
Two sources of well rotted manure ready for use:
Delivered:
Phone Keith Butler on 01329- 833339 for delivery of 1.5 tonne
3 to 4 year old manure. This comes in a trailer so access is
required and you may need to wheelbarrow to your plot (but of
course you could share with someone else nearby!). You get quite
a lot of black manure for £35.
Self-Pack
Visit Hollam Hill Farm. Head toward Titchfield from Stubbington
and just past the commercial glasshouse on the left is the Farm
and Farm Shop (signposted when open). The deal is you walk a
bit to the manure heap and fill your own bags, then tell Richard
when you are ready, he brings the bags back up and you pay 50p
a bag and take them away. Cheaper - if you have the time and
the transport.
Bean Poles, Pea Sticks and Net Hoops
Back by popular demand we will be taking delivery of Bean Poles
and Pea Sticks somewhen around March. Your storeman will put
up poster when they are ready.
The use of blue pipe to form hoops for netting is quite popular.
As a trial we have some ready made 2 mtr hoops available at the
Brockhurst Store. Cost £3 per pair or £5 for two
pair.
email-Newsletter
The number of you signed up for e-mail delivery of the Newsletter
continues to increase which is good news for the printing budget!!
If you wish to take advantage of this then please e-mail gahaga.newsletter@ntlworld.com
and ensure you include enough detail (i.e. your name and address)
to allow us to filter you out of paper delivery and transition
you to e-delivery. Your e-mail address will not be given to anyone
else.
Gosport Borough Council Allotment Stakeholders Consultative
Group
Not an awful lot of This group has met a couple of times this
year and a summary of some of the items discussed is below:
Tenancy Agreement. Council is still in the process of updating
the Tenancy Agreement but found it too difficult to let us have
sight of it as promised last November. Watch this space.
Stores Buildings. Ownership of the stores buildings is heading
towards a solution. In principle we have agreed to lease the
land occupied by the Stores for a peppercorn rent and we will
be liable for the material state of the buildings - not much changed
than we were before but with a Lease Agreement!
Brockhurst Fences and Gates. Steady progress being made along
Military Road but no detail on a start for the around the Badger
zone (behind Brockhurst Road).
Rowner Flooding/Drainage A report on the extent of flooding and
options to rectify is held by the Council but it is proving costly
to resolve. They are currently reviewing other options which
may include doing nothing.
Toilets. A visit had been arranged to trial a composting toilet
unit in the New Forest but unfortunately the visit was called
off due to the snow in January. This initiative is a still bit
constipated at the moment but we hope to see some movement soon
when the weather gets better
Allotment Watch Was finally launched at quite short notice.
Information packs are held in the stores should you wish to sign
up. We have not heard of any positive benefits yet but its early
days.
Bonfires The Bonfire season (on Council sites) still has time
to run until 31 March. We did argue against the latest change
in times - now 4.00 pm until 9.30 pm but they chose to do it anyway.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
GUEST SPEAKER
on Tuesday 23 March 2010
at HEDCA, Coombe Road, Gosport.
for 7.30pm start.We welcome back Mr Barry Newman
for a talk on
THE MODERN KITCHEN GARDEN
Barry is a well known Grower, Exhibitor, Lecturer and Judge.
He is a Fellow of the National Vegetable Society.
Usual Refreshments and Raffle.
Entry is free to Members, £1 non-members.
PLANT SALE
At Brockhurst Allotment Store, Military Road on
Sunday 9 May 2010
Between 1000 - 1200
All your surplus seedlings, plants and cuttings will be most welcome.
The store will be open on Sat 1000 - 1200 to receive any plant
donations or see your friendly storeman who will be please to
take them off your hands!
SHOW TIME
We are planning for the following this year at the Parish Centre,
Alverstoke:
A Summer Show - Sat 14 Aug 2010
Pumpkin and Produce - Sat 30 Oct 2010
Show Catalogues should be ready soon
So let's get growing for showing
DAY TRIP TO KEW GARDENS
Following last years successful day out to Wisley, this year we
aim to go further along the road to Kew Gardens. Unfortunately
Kew does not offer a free entry for affiliation to the RHS but
there is a group discount and concessions for over 60's, disabled
and full time students. The cost of this coach trip is:
Gardens - Concession - £21.00
Gardens - Standard - £23.00
This is for the Kew Gardens only, a separate ticket is required
for Kew Palace as follows, but this will depend if there are more
than 10 people who wish to include the Palace in their visit:
Palace - Concession - add £2.00
Palace - Standard - add £2.50
Date: Saturday 26 June 2010
Depart Gosport 0800 picking up at Brockhurst Roundabout then stopping
at Crossways, Foster Gardens and Fleetlands. Depart Kew around
4.30pm.
Full Members (ie named on the front of the year Membership Card
may bring one guest at the same price. Book through your Storeman
(or Storegirl, or Storegran)
If you wish to learn more about Kew Gardens then visit: www.kew.org
If you would like to be involved in the organising and running
this trip then please phone Jim on 023 92368317
OTHER EVENTS
20 Apr 10 - Annual General Meeting
25 Apr 10 (tbc) - Display at Grange Farm Festival of Spring
News from the Chair
Well, it has been a busy Spring and Summer what with a successful
Plant Sale in May, the very popular trip to RHS Wisley in Jun
and a cracking show in Aug. Some of the Committee and others were
also involved in displays at Grange Farm in May and the Carnival
in Walpole Park in June.
And we are not finished yet; there is still our main fundraising
effort the Alverstoke Michaelmas Fayre on 26 Sep and our very
first Pumpkin and Produce Fayre on 31 Oct and then an evening
with the guest speaker on 10 November.
Our programme of events and activities continues to thrive and
we should be grateful to your Committee and helpers who make these
events happen. If you are interested in helping or organising
events for the Association then please have a chat with any of
the Committee and we will be delighted to welcome you.
Of course, the big news in the Autumn Newsletter is all
about what we can plant for winter and what we can order for planting
in 2010. There is a lot of information from Bill to whet your
appetite.
It was not the nights drawing in, or the appearance of earwigs
or daddy-longlegs that made me realise the summer was ending -
it was the appearance of the first early Christmas Cards. Humbug.
Jim.
gahaga.chairman@ntlworld.com
Information from Bill the Supply Guy
It's that time of year again when we start thinking of what
we can plant or sow in the Autumn and Winter and also plan for
next year. We may be able to help you with the following:
- Kings Seed Catalogue - traditionally popular and very reasonably
priced is now available from your local Storeman. You are free
to use Kings for Potatoes or Fruit if you wish as they do have
some stock varieties not available from our other suppliers. Please
read the various order forms carefully and keep a note of what
you order! Delivery expected before Christmas. If you do not wish
to order from Kings then please return the booklet to the store
as there is slight shortage this year.
- Seed Potato Order forms are enclosed. This year we have also
arranged a small selection of Heritage Varieties and Organic Varieties
but please note that both of these require us to make a minimum
order quantity to make it viable. Please follow the notes on the
order forms. Delivery expected mid Jan 2010. Please also note
this potato order is separate to the Kings Seed.
- Soft Fruit Order forms are also enclosed, once again this is
a separate supplier to Kings. Delivery expected before Christmas
2009 when plants are dormant.
- The Thompson and Morgan 50% discount order scheme will continue
when the new Catalogues finally arrive stores Please note the
Discount is only applicable when order forms are sent through
the Association. I will continue to offer a monthly ordering service
(usually first week of the month). All packets will be sent to
me to sort out; but if you want personal delivery the cost is
£2 per order. Important note: you may only use the card
payment option on the form if you take the personal delivery option.
Winter planting onions (White and Red) are available in stores
now. Delivery of Broad Beans (Aquadulce Claudia) is awaited. Sorry,
no winter Garlic this year.
Shallots, main crop Onions and Garlic will be in stores late November
And finally as a trial we acquired (and very quickly sold out)
some late planting potatoes which will be ready for harvesting
around Christmas. If the local trials are successful we will look
to get more in stock for next year.
Please note that stores can only accept good old fashioned cash
or cheques (payable to GAH&GA), unless you are using a card
for T&M, and the order deadlines at Stores are:
Kings Catalogue - 4 Oct 09
Soft Fruit 11 Oct 09
Seed Potato 18 Oct 09
Thompson & Morgan - ongoing monthly
Bill
RHS STUFF
AFFILIATION
A reminder that our affiliation to the Royal Horticultural Society
allows Association Members to access to free gardening advice
from RHS Experts. To do this you will need to quote our Affiliation
Number which is available from your local store together with
the contact details.
VISIT TO RHS WISLEY
We believe the coach trip to RHS Wisley in Jun 09 was thoroughly
enjoyed by all those who went. Bearing in mind that we can only
have one free entry to an RHS Garden (and Wisley is the only realistic
location) we need to get your opinion whether to do it again in
2010, at the same time of year, or possibly earlier or later.
What would you like to do? Please let your Storeman or any other
Committee Member know what you think.
CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
The lucky winner of the tickets to Chelsea Flower Show has given
the following report of the day:
Feelings of anticipation and excitement mounted as we came closer
to Chelsea on the walk from Victoria. Crowds awaited us but the
atmosphere and perfumes became quite overwhelming as we made our
way to the Great Pavilion. Stunning displays of flowers from all
corners of the globe assaulted the senses and emotions. Feelings
of despondency too when viewing the wonderful and almost too perfect
vegetable displays. Huge and somewhat grotesque carrots. parsnips
and onions (not as tasty as allotment holders at Rectory could
grow!) carefully chosen and displayed. The show gardens were very
interesting with the simple beauty of cottage gardens taking precendence,
full of wonderful roses, foxgloves and brightly coloured geraniums.
Attention to detail was in evidence again in the stunning floral
arrangements, so much imagination and skill throughout all of
the exhibits. Returning home weighed down with goodies and achy
feet, but with many happy memories of such a super day. So, many
thanks to the Association who donated the tickets which we won
in the raffle.
MIDDLECROFT STORE BUILDING
Good news for users of the Middlecroft Store. We recently
submitted a grant application for assistance to fund the replacement
the existing store which is pretty much unrepairable due to movement
in the concrete base affecting the stability of the walls. It
is planned to demolish the store, replace the base and then have
a concrete type garage building built. This is planned for later
this year after some legal formalities have been ironed out with
the Council. To keep costs down there is a need for some volunteers
to help with the demolition and clearance of the current store
and anyone who can help with the build of the new concrete base.
If you are able to help then please let Derek (Middlecroft Store)
know. Thank you.
CONSTITUTION AND COMMITTEE
As this is the first Newsletter since the AGM you may wish to
know who is on the Committee. We are as follows:
Chairman - Mr Jim More
Vice Chairman - Mr Peter Almond
Treasurer - Mrs Val Sommerford
Secretary - Mrs Sandra Lister.
Supply Officer - Mr Bill Nickerson
Show Secretary - Mr Steve Broughton MBE
Member Registrar - Mrs Pat Clipstone
Public Relations - vacant (Aug 09)
At the AGM we also refreshed the Constitution and the updated
version is held in the Stores. One area of the constitution that
was not looked and has subsequently become an issue is the status
of storemen with regard to full membership of the committee. To
resolve this, it has been agreed that Storemen should be elected
through the AGM and this confers them full status as a committee
member. We will ask the AGM 2010 to ratify this. So you may want
to know who the Storemen are too:
Brockhurst - Mr Jim More
Camden - Mr Mike Etherington
Elson - Mr Steve Thurston
Middlecroft - Mr Derek Smith
Rectory - Mr Ken Sommerford
Rowner - Mr David Lloyd
Gosport Borough Council Allotment Stakeholders Consultative
Group
This group has met a couple of times this year and a summary of
some of the items discussed is below:
Tenancy Agreement.
Council is still in the process of updating the Tenancy Agreement
and have promised a final revised version will be available for
review at the November meeting. As previously mentioned, please
note the Council (as landlord) has complete discretion as to what
they choose to put in the Tenancy Agreement, provided it is in
accordance with the relevant legislation, and they are not obliged
to consult with tenants.
Stores Buildings. Ownership of the stores buildings continues
to be discussed. At present we are waiting the Council to advise
what conditions the would expect the Association to abide to if
we were to retain ownership of the buildings. This is not going
to resolve quickly but, whatever happens, we will always try to
look after to your interests in the outcome.
Brockhurst Fences and Gates. At the time of writing some improvements
have been made at the gate 2 area including improved access and
car parking which also resulted in clearing of a number of very
overgrown plots. Work on the gate 3 area starts soon. The replacement
fencing has been delayed so that the welfare of our good friends
the badgers can be guaranteed. At present it is planned to go
ahead with the Military Road/Station Road section only pending
clarification of the badger issue at the boundary.
Camden Boundary - Defensive Planting/Security. It is planned that
planting will be carried out before March 2010 although the full
extent of the planting has not yet been divulged. Enquires continue.
Rowner Flooding/Drainage A report on the extent of flooding and
options to rectify is awaited.
Leesland and Tukes Avenue Fencing Replacement of areas of fencing
at both sites should be completed by March 2010.
Toilets. It has been identified that a composting toilet may provide
the solution if it can be guaranteed they are vandal proof. An
example of a composting toilet is in the latest edition of the
NSALG magazine (pages 41 & 45) available in your store. This
initiative is a bit constipated at the moment but we hope to see
some movement soon.
Allotment Watch It is disappointing that Hampshire Constabulary
have failed to launch the Allotment Watch Scheme. We are told
the delay is due to resources (ie the person who was running it
having to be redeployed to higher priority work). At the time
of writing we have no information on the future of this scheme.
BONFIRES
The Bonfire season (on Council sites) is about to resume. If you
are planning a Bonfire, please take note of the prevailing weather
conditions, who may be working downwind and ensure the bonfire
is fully extinguished before leaving the site.
Date for the Diary: 26 September 2009
ALVERSTOKE
MICHAELMAS
FAYRE
This is usually our best fundraiser in the year but it is your
generosity in donating produce that makes it happen. If you have
surplus produce that can be sold at the Fayre then please arrange
with your friendly storeman or deliver to stall on the day (before
1200).
email-Newsletter
The number of you signed up for e-mail delivery of the Newsletter
continues to increase which is good news for the printing budget!!
If you wish to take advantage of this then please e-mail gahaga.newsletter@ntlworld.com
and ensure you include enough detail (i.e. your name and address)
to allow us to filter you out of paper delivery and transition
you to e-delivery. Your e-mail address will not be given to anyone
else.
STORE LOCATIONS
If you find your own site store is too far away from home, then
please remember you may use any of the Association Stores on production
of your membership card. Most stores are open on Sunday Mornings.
They are located at:
Brockhurst, Military Road.
Camden, Camden Street.
Elson, adjacent Elson Recreation Ground.
Middlecroft, adjacent The Middlecroft Pub.
Rectory, Anglesey Road (near the lake).
Rowner, off Green Crescent.
Date for the Diary: 31 October 2009
PUMPKIN
AND
PRODUCE
FAYRE
Alverstoke Parish Centre
Exhibits displayed by 1100 and open for viewing from 1215
Let's see what you can do with Pumpkins! Or how about a taste
of your best Jam or Chutney, pickled onions or finest home baking?
Separate Childrens Section for Home Baking and Lanterns.
Show Catalogue available from Stores
Date for the Diary: 10 November 2009
At HEDCA (Coombe Road) at 7.30pm
Our next visiting speaker will be Mr Richard Hedley of the Hampshire
and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and will give a talk on:
Gardening with Wildlife
Admission Free to Members and £1 for non-members
AND FINALLY THE LAST ORDER DATES AGAIN
Kings Catalogue 04 Oct 09
Soft Fruit 11 Oct 09
Seed Potato 18 Oct 09
Thompson & Morgan - ongoing monthly