The last few months have flown by. It’s been strange weather and has been a challenge to us all in our gardening endeavours, and a lot has been happening in the last few months.
It’s pleasing to see on my recent visits to all three allotment sites, how much produce is emerging and members busy on their plots. I have also noted that there are a wide range of growing systems being used, from raised beds, open ground cultivation, grass, slab & wood chip paths, cottage style designs of plots. All very individual and with their own merits.
I have unfortunately been out of action during March with Covid and laryngitis and a minor op in April. During recovery it has given me time to reflect and I’ve come to realise how much I have taken on with being both Chair & Allotment Secretary as well as covering the Social Secretary duties, I also have the Allotment Show to start organising for August.
Help and assistance is required from members to enable me to continue in my role by volunteering to join me on the committee and share some of the responsibilities I am currently trying to juggle.
There are over 200 people in Garden & Allotment Club. We require a six more people who are willing to share their skills in helping us to run the club. There are currently nine members on the committee out of a possible fifteen. I would like to have a full complement for us to have flexibility in case of none attendance for illness or holidays and to have a broader view when making decisions on behalf of you, our members.
Anyone who is either a Plot Holder or Garden Club Members can be on the committee, if you are interested in any of the specific roles listed below or willing to become a Committee Member and contribute to the running of the club, please contact me as soon as possible on either of the numbers below to have a chat or send me a message by email if you prefer to find out what’s involved.
We meet on the first Monday of the month in the Peace Memorial Hall in the winter at 7pm and in the Punch Bowl on Stanley Lane site in the summer months. You would be made very welcome.
Treasurer: Chris Hepworth is stepping down at the next AGM – He will have completed 3 years in office by then, he has already completed a previous three-year stint. Anyone with accountancy or book keeping skills would be welcome. The new incumbent would been encouraged work alongside Chris for his remaining term of office to get to know the role they would be taking on.
Social Secretary: Someone to book the club talks and help arrange any social events on behalf of club: Christmas Party/Annual Show or future social events for the club.
Newsletter Editor: Compile the newsletter ready for distribution to members by email or mail.
Committee Members: If you have specific skills in Health & Safety or IT / Land Management or anything skills that could be useful in management of the club.
Membership Cards:
We are have finalised the last draft and will be sending it out to members shortly by email or post if no email or mobile contact available. We hope that you will be able to save the information to your phone and similar to other club card systems for ID. If not, it can be printed and a copy kept in your wallets or purse as proof of Membership to the club.
Site Maintenance – Stanley Lane
Repair work is due to start on the car park at the entrance to the site and the middle car park on
Wednesday 18th & Thursday 19th May at 8am. Please take care!
Club Rules:
WATER USEAGE: Please consider installing guttering & water butts to all of your structures on your plots.
STC pay our water bills for all three sites. At the moment with the extremely unpredictable weather and increase in the cost of water bills we need to conserve as much water as possible.
We cannot abuse this free facility. STC could replace the stand pipes with dipping tanks if we overuse /abuse our water supply!
Club Rule: 4.11 Water conservation
In the interests of water conservation members must not leave sprinklers and hosepipes dispersing water unattended nor use such appliances excessively. Hosepipes must be disconnected from standpipes after use.
With this in mind:
This is to remind all plot holders that they are not to attach any sort of timing device to activate automatic watering systems on their plots.
If any device is found to be in use, it will be disconnected and confiscated, the plot holder will have to apply to the committee for its return, with assurance that it will not be used again, otherwise they will face expulsion from the club.
These are a few other rules that some of you may need reminding of that I have noted on my walks through all three sites recently:
1.3.1 An allotment is primarily for the growing of fruit, vegetables and flowers for family and friends. As an allotment holder, a member is responsible for maintaining and hopefully improving the fertility, productivity and healthy condition of the land in his/her stewardship.
3.6 display the plot number on his/her allotment(s)
4.1.2 Ensure that the grass paths he/she is responsible are trimmed appropriately and surfaces are made reasonably even and level
4.1.4 keep paths free of hazards to allow free and unimpeded access
4.2 Sub-letting/commercial use – members are not allowed to:
4.2.2 Make use their allotment plot(s) or produce for commercial activity
4.3.2 remove long grass or rubbish that is likely to harbour slugs & snails (which may forage in neighbouring plots)
4.4.2 not dump of stones, rubble or rubbish anywhere
- on the allotment site
- on the public highway
- on network rail property.
4.4.5 not put stone, excessive soil or solid material in green waste ‘wheelie’ bins or overfill them so
that they are difficult to move.
4.5.2 If a member wishes to erect a hut, shed, poly tunnel, greenhouse or other significant structure on:
Their plot(s), they must consult the Allotment Secretary in the first instance before proceeding. The Allotment Secretary will, if necessary, seek a ruling from the Committee. If approved, members must maintain these structures in a good state of repair. At the end of tenancy structures belonging to the outgoing tenant must be removed unless there is an agreement between the Allotment Sec, the new tenant and the outgoing tenant.
Please make every effort to comply with the above. If anyone would like a full copy of the Constitution & Rules of The Allotment Club please let me know.
Club Talks & Events 2022 – Dates for your Diaries / Calendars
Both talks are to be held at the Peace Memorial Hall, Upper Road, Meole Brace 7pm for 7.30pm Start
Tea & biscuits to be served and question time at the end of the talks.
Please pop the dates on your calendars/diaries for the last two dates booked for this year:
Monday 26th September “The Historyof theShrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings”
Monday 31st October “Mynd Hardy Plants” – Richard & Jill Rallings Plants for sale at the end of talk.
Allotment Show – Sunday 21st August 2022 – Peace Memorial Hall 2.15pm
I’m working on the show schedules and they should be out in the coming weeks.
Anyone who can help on either Saturday 20th or on Sunday 21st to set up the hall or help on Show Day. Stewards are required to assist the Judges on the Sunday 21st from 11am to 1.30pm approx. Lunch will be provided.
Please contact me if you would like to assist on either day or become a “Show Steward” for the day.
Club Christmas Party – Monday 5th December – Peace Memorial Hall 6.30pm for 7pm start – More info nearer the date!
OTHER LOCAL EVENTS:
Wellington Open Gardens – Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd July
Ever wondered what hidden gems there are to explore in Wellington and Little Wenlock? Well, ponder no more! Over the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of July, the wonderful residents of Wellington and Little Wenlock have got together with Love Wellington to open their beautiful private back gardens in aid of local Shropshire Charity, Community Resource. With more than 10 gardens to explore, plus access to the stunning grounds of the National Trust property, Sunnycroft included in the ticket price, it should be a fantastic weekend!
To find out more and purchase your wristbands and Trail Map visit – https://wellingtonopengardens.eventbrite.co.uk
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National Garden Scheme:
In 2021, the National Garden Scheme donated over £3 million to its beneficiary charities
If you are looking for a garden or two to visit look no further that the below link. There are some really special gardens to visit in Shropshire. https://ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden
The Shrewsbury in Bloom Group is hosting an opening evening at the Town Council’s greenhouse on Thursday 9th June from 6pm for the first time since 2019.
With the greenhouse quickly filling up with the blooms to be planted in the floral features around the town this summer, it certainly is a sight to behold.
Guests will be given a guided tour of the greenhouse, with demonstrations, and there will be an opportunity to put questions to the Town Council’s gardening staff and Bloom Committee members.
If you would like to join us at the greenhouse at Weeping Cross, please register online for free via Eventbrite for each time slot. To help keep everyone safe, please note we have a maximum of ten guests per tour.
The direct links to each timed tour are below – and we have a ‘first come, first served’ basis for booking tickets. We regret that we will be unable to accommodate additional guests should each timed tour be full at the time of booking.
6.00pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338207145677
6.15pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338211970107
6.30pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338398949367
6.45pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338406853007
7.00pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338417996337
7.15pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338419139757
7.30pm – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/338420192907
Spare Produce:
I recently delivered some of my spare rhubarb to the Shrewsbury Food Hub at Battlefield Enterprise Park, 24 Vanguard Way, Shrewsbury SY1 3TG. They were set up in 2016 to rescue surplus food from food providers and redistribute it to local groups and charities.
So far this year they have saved 176 tons of food waste from going into land fill and supplied 65 community groups with good free food. They have a team of 116 regular volunteers and partnerships with 28 suppliers.
If you have surplus produce during the coming season, please contact them or just drop off your spare produce after 8am to their premises on site. For more information go to: https://www.shrewsburyfoodhub.org.uk/
Useful information:
- Our website: https://meolebraceallotmentclub.co.uk/
- For our Facebook page go to Meole Brace Garden & Allotment Club at www.facebook.com & request to join.
- 10% off atLove Plants – Emstrey Bank, Atcham, Shrewsbury SY5 6QS
- 5% off at Severndale Nurseries – Wroxeter Lane, Cross Houses, Shrewsbury SY5 6JS
- Pontesbury & District Gardeners Association “Trading Post” in Old Station Buildings, Station Rd. Open Saturdays between February & October 9.30am – 12 Noon. They stock a range of gardening supplies at good prices.
- Farm Yard Manure – Mr Mike Roberts 07970 222592 – Ring to arrange your delivery.
- Agripost Compost – Tom Edge on 07743 760100 Ring arrange your delivery
Keep safe and well. Thank you for your time in reading this email. It took a while to compile! Hopefully the next one won’t be so long.
Enjoy your plots & gardens in the coming months. Let’s hope the sun shines in the day and it rains at night!
Sharon Skelton
Meole Brace Garden & Allotment Club 