Peek out from behind the grass

[Nick Holmes]

Hello all,

 I'd like to see if we can have a bit more conversation by email again. 

How is everyone getting on this spring? 

 We've had issues with broken rotavators and a certain mower shop taking 'literally' months to fix them, and then I've not a broken strimmer too (which was new last year :-( ). As a result we've been a 'bit' more behind than usual in keeping on top of our plot. Sorry. 

We've at least got clear bits now and have cleared obstacles out of undergrowth so it can get mown down.

We've had a good and proper slugging on our plot, brassica bed cleared out completely, twice. The other night I wandered about putting nemaslug (biologic slug control) on things - I found it for less than usual on www.kingsseeds.com/ and although its not cheap, it does a good job of lettng the plants have a fighting chance.

...and how's your plot?

Someone asked the other day if we were going to have a BBQ / plot meeting again. Well sure, do we want to think about when ? Sooner (June) or later when the weather hopefully should be better (July / August). A Sunday afternoon sounds good to me, I don't know how that suits everyone else?

 I also wanted to welcome Dave & Sam, plot 29, to the group. They have recently fantastically transformed the plot half way down on the left just before the tree line that goes up to the main path; including bringing the back part back into cultivation which has not been touched in at least the 8 years I have been here and I think a lot longer.

I am thinking of having a hive of bees on the plot, right at the back of plot 19 by the shed, and they would be hidden from view by a green scaffolding net, both for their own protection from wind and so the bees get driven up above head height which should lower the risk of  any footpath / public / bee sting incidents - well to as much risk as people have on the allotments already from the bumble bees we have natively on the plots. In order to do so the council will require me to go through a rigorous process of hoop jumping and ask all plot holders if they object and apparently some of the neighbouring properties. Council requirements are that acceptance needs to be 100% before anything goes ahead. With this in mind, does anyone here have any concerns / objections that I might have chance to respond to here? Previously a plot holder had said flat 'no' (as they had a young child which is fair enough I guess) to me before it got to council level, but now that plot holder has moved on so I'd like to try again.

I'd also like to have another go at the end plot to make it a community area. We had a bit of a go last year, and got a bit of the way, maybe we can get further this year. I still have fruit trees to be used on that plot and we still have the poles and wire etc to make fruit tree hedges that the council bought for us; and the oak log benches are still up there in the brambles waiting to be assembled which we were given by Parndon wood. It all just needs some willing hands for assembly.

Anyway, that's all from me for now folks. 

Please reply / chat among yourselves / make suggestions / raise queries / encourage other plot holders to join this group, it would be nice to have a positive active community on the allotment.

Those who want to be left alone to tend their plot, that's fine too, if you need anything we'll be here :-)

yours

Nick

plot 16 (half nearest path) and 19 

Joint site rep (with Leigh France on plot 33 & 35)

[Eugene Quinn]

Hi Nick,

Ref: Chippings.

I'm just waiting on my mate with regard these he is in Ireland but back again in the next few weeks.

Q: Is there an allotment petrol mower at all ?

regards Eugene (26)

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[Nick Holmes]

Mower - We don't have anything communal at this time. But I might try to get my old one working so people can borrow it.

Chippings. Cheers:-)