Fw: April Newsletter
Caroline Bates
Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2025 6:00:16 PM
To: Caroline Bates <car...@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject: April Newsletter
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Caroline No images? Click here  Your April Gardening Checklist
Dear Caroline April is here, bringing warmer weather and the start of spring – a great time to get stuck into your allotment. Whether you're sowing seeds in your greenhouse, polytunnel, or directly on the plot, now’s the time to prepare for the new growing season. Here’s your updated allotment checklist for the month! 
Special offer for NAS members from Kings Seeds 10x Strawberry ‘Christine’ Plants – £7 + £3.75 Postage Bred in the UK by Dr. Derek Jennings and named after his daughter, the 'Christine' strawberry variety boasts remarkable disease resistance and strong vigour, making it suitable for almost any location. This early variety produces fruit reliably, and we’ve grown it extensively on our commercial farm in Norfolk, where we use fleece protection to ensure ripe berries by 20th May. The fleece not only shields against spring frosts but also keeps local blackbirds at bay. Having grown several hundred tonnes of 'Christine' myself, I can highly recommend it to any gardener. – Paul Walpole Last date to order is 26.04.25. Share Your Allotment Experience! Have you taken our National Allotments Week 2025 survey yet? We’re exploring the theme Allotments and Wellbeing—your insights will help protect and promote allotments for future generations. Take a few minutes to have your say! "V for Victory" School Display Project
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a time to reflect on the end of the war in Europe and honour those who fought for freedom. We are proud to support the "V for Victory" school display project, led by garden designer and TV presenter Adam Frost. Schools are invited to create a vibrant "V"-shaped display using red, white, and blue fruits and vegetables—such as strawberries, radishes, blueberries, and cauliflower. A panel, including representatives from The National Allotment Society and Pageantmaster Bruno Peek, will select the most creative entries. Winning schools will receive seeds to grow their chosen produce and book vouchers to inspire learning. This initiative helps students connect with history, sustainability, and healthy eating while fostering creativity and teamwork. Schools can register for free and submit entries through a dedicated portal. If you know a school that would like to take part, encourage them to sign up and celebrate VE Day 80 with us! NAS members can enjoy 15% off at Fyne Herbs
NAS members can enjoy 15% off at Fyne Herbs with the code NAS15 at checkout! Fyne Herbs, believe in sending herbs, not flowers. While flowers may be a beautiful gift, they can be harmful to the environment and are often already wilting by the time they reach the recipient. Herbs, on the other hand, make a thoughtful and sustainable gift. They smell fantastic, offer culinary and medicinal benefits, and have interesting backstories. Along with top-quality UK-grown herb plants, Fyne Herbs provides everything you need to start – from biodegradable pots and sustainable plant labels to herb snips and a comprehensive growing guide. Whether you're new to gardening or a seasoned allotmenteer, Fyne Herbs makes it easy to grow and enjoy herbs while being kind to the planet. Are You a Creative Plotter? 
Do you bring creativity to your allotment? Whether it's through art, painting, cooking, sculpture, or design, we’d love to hear from you! Our magazine features a regular Creative Plotters section, showcasing allotmenteers who blend gardening with their artistic passions. If you or someone you know has a unique creative talent linked to their allotment, get in touch—we’d love to feature your story! Opportunity for Allotment Associations – Can You Benefit? 
We have been approached by the Samworth Brothers Community Opportunity Fund, which has recently expanded its charitable giving to support projects that promote community participation in the education of healthy nutrition. This includes providing resources and financial support for programmes that showcase healthy nutrition. The fund is available exclusively for projects in areas where Samworth Brothers plays an integral role in the local community, including:
The focus is on supporting young people aged 12-18 from hard-to-reach and disadvantaged groups. We know that some Allotment Associations already run programmes that align with these goals, and they want to hear from any that would be interested in applying for funding to enhance and expand their work. Could you or your allotment association benefit from this opportunity? If so, please get in touch with to learn more and access the application link. New Registered Rules Here
The National Allotment Society's registered rules have now been updated and officially registered with the Financial Conduct Authority. A copy is available to view on our website.
Join Our Committee Now!
Maybe you’d like to be President, a Regional Representative, a Deputy Representative, or support us with social media? If you’re passionate about allotments and keen to get involved, we’d love to hear from you! Let us know here. Have you visited the New Members Area
If you haven’t logged into the Members Area for a while, now’s a great time to check out what’s new! Simply use your email address to log in. If you haven’t set a password or have forgotten it, just click ‘Forgotten Password’, and a reset link will be sent to your email—it’s that easy! Have your Say at the AGM
Are you planning to vote at the AGM? If you're the main contact for an association or an individual member, you’re entitled to have your say. Complete the delegate form from the last magazine or go online to vote on the proposed motions and make your voice heard! In Case You Missed Our March Blogs If you missed any of our March blogs, you can catch up now! We've gathered some of the highlights for you. To explore all of them, head over to our News section. Happy reading! 
Dear Member, Hi, I’m Midnight – Your NAS Administrator! I joined NAS in 2023, so if you’ve called the office, chances are you’ve spoken to me! I handle membership queries, database issues, seed questions, magazine updates, and contact detail changes, and I help keep our contact lists up to date. I also make sure the office runs smoothly—whether it’s sorting stationery or tackling everyday admin tasks. Outside of work, I love to cook, especially using fresh allotment produce. I look forward to helping you—so don’t hesitate to get in touch! Best wishes, 
Midnight - Administrator Officer 
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