Insect Survey – Sep 24

In September Chris Othen organised an insect survey, which was conducted by an entomologist.  The survey was only carried out on a small number of plots where the plot holders had given prior permission and the lady was always escorted on site by Chris.  The lady carrying out the survey has also similarly visited the KATA site.

I’m sure many of you are interested in what the survey revealed and this is displayed below pictorially.

It is anticipated that next spring on a date yet to be arranged, Chris will revisit with the entomologist to record some findings at a different period of the year.  If you are interested in allowing access to your own plot, then please contact Chris direct.  Obviously only a limited number of plots can be inspected due to time restraints, so not everyone who may like to can be included.

Insect Survey September 2024

Manure

Manure!

We have taken delivery of two loads of manure.

The cow manure is much better quality than last year because it has been extremely well rotted for over a year.  We have also procured a larger quantity than last year.

We are going to maintain last year’s price of £2 a wheelbarrow load.  “Honesty Payment”: It is therefore important that payment is made promptly to the association preferably by bank transfer, as the shop/shed is now closed until spring.

  • The first load is on Carpark 1, away from the club and in the new levelled area.
  • The second load because of limited space will be Carpark 2.
  • Carpark 3 was used last year, so we are not doing so again this year, plus access may be required for the mower shed.
  • Carpark 4 has spoil on it and is awaiting removal, possibly later today.
Bob Thomas

Site Secretary

King’s seeds

As the Association is a member of the National Allotment Society you are able to obtain top quality seeds from King’s Seeds at a heavily discounted price.  In addition, the Association gets commission on your purchases which help to cover our costs and keeps the rents down.   It is a win/win situation, and there are not too many bargains around at the moment!

You can now order seeds whenever you like using the online ordering system.  Newcomers to this option will need to request to be set up on the King’s system, by sending an email to harris@harris5mercia.plus.com and also give a contact telephone number.  This information, plus your address will go on to the King’s ordering system.  Immediately after this is done you will be sent an email so that you can log on to the system and set up a password.  Then you can start ordering.  There is an online catalogue and we will also have paper copies at the shed from Sunday 6th August 2023.

Please note:  It is crucial to enter the King’s site through the National Allotment Association website to obtain the discount.  To check you are in the right place, look at the price of Greyhound cabbage, which should be 95p.

The big disadvantage is that you will now pay for postage and packing.  £2.35 for seed orders and £3.75 for seed potatoes and soft fruit.  No-one will ever pay more than £6.10.

Online orders will be delivered to your home address.

We are still going to run the previous system, where you hand in a paper order form at the shed on either Sunday 29 October or Sunday 5 November between 10.30 and noon.  You can buy other shed stuff at the same time.  In late November/early December you will be contacted about collecting your order.  There is no need to pay for packing and postage, unless you order potatoes or soft fruit, where there is a charge of £3.75.

You will need to pay for your order before we forward it to Kings.  Bank transfer, same as your rent, is the preferred method.  Otherwise a cheque through the letterbox at 5 Mercia Avenue, or at the shed.   Just send an email to harris@harris5mercia.plus.com to let us know.

Neither Kings nor the NAS will share your data with third parties.  It will only be used as necessary to fulfil your order.

Working party 2nd July

Clearing a vacant plot in readiness for a new tenant was all down to the group of volunteers who helped during the Sunday community gathering for coffee and cake.  Thank you everyone!

Working party success 4th June

We asked for help to fill in the potholes on Gypsy Lane and the allotments and were pleased to see such an enthusiastic response when around 25 volunteers turned up this morning with their wheelbarrows and tools.  As the saying goes ‘many hands make light work’ and so the job was done and dusted in under an hour!

A big thank you to everyone who gave up their time to lend a hand, making the first of our working parties a great success.  Of course, it was made all the more enjoyable by the tea and delicious cakes provided by some of our volunteers.  A great way to finish off a very productive morning.

Working party volunteers

 

Some of our bakers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We plan to hold further working parties on the first Sunday of every month, so if you can spare the time please come along, everyone is welcome.  As well as keeping on top of general site maintenance it’s also a chance to meet your fellow plot holders and enjoy some delicious home made cakes.

Volunteers needed 4th Jun 23!

Dear All,

Next Sunday the 4th June we are holding a working party 10.00 – 12.00.

Sara and others will be providing refreshments and cake at the shed.

The work will be to make repairs to both the access road into the site and the site track.  Ruth has ordered several 1 tonne bags of stone which will be delivered to three areas along the main road to minimise the amount of materials to be moved along the road.

We have notified the Sporting Club and they have no major events on, but obviously their patrons and our members will still be using the roadway, so we will have marshalls at either end of the works to make sure traffic movements are managed and drivers are aware that people are working on the roadway.

If you are able to come and take part, please do, all hands will be welcome and mean the work can be completed in the minimum amount of time.

Please wear stout foot ware and if you have Hi-vis, you are advised to wear it.  Please bring barrows and tools to move and level the stone on the roadway.

In the first instance, please report to the shed, where we will split into groups and allocate working areas.

Looking forward to seeing volunteers next Sunday, everyone is welcome.

Thanks in anticipation.

Regards

Arthur Belgrove

Plot Secretary