Page 53 - ALG Issue 1 2019

Eastern
Eastern Region Report
Over the last few months I have received various emails and phone calls from plotholders that are members of the National Allotment Society, both individual and members affiliated through their association. Usually the phone calls are
in respect of plotholder disagreements
or complaints about their committee or neighbours on their site. It is always sad when I receive these calls, as allotmenteers should be able to sort out their differences in an adult manner between themselves. We, as adults, will not always agree with everything that is said or being done on our behalf; however, all I would ask is
that everyone tries to discuss things in an adult and sensible way, especially as we are cultivating our plots to grow fruit and vegetables, and have friendly banter with our neighbours. On a more positive note a couple of events coming up in the Easter Region.
Firstly, East Anglian Potato Day is being held on Saturday 9th February 2019 at the Mid-Suffolk Showground, Stonham Barns, Pettaugh, near Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 6AT. It is open from 9.30am – 1.30pm. Admission is £1.50.
Secondly, South East Essex Potato Day is being held on Saturday 23th February 2019 at Growing Together Westcliff on Sea, 47 Fairfax Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9AG (Corner of Fairfax Drive and Prittlewell). It is open from 10am – 2pm. Free admission.
Please support our region and help it grow stronger.
Ray How, Regional Rep Eastern Region
Welcome to our new members...
Aldbury Parish Council Darsham Parish Council
Ware Town Council
Gooseley Lane Allot Association Heelands Allotment Association Two Mile Ash Allotments
8 Individual Members
Back to the Future
On the 1st October it was all change in Ely when the City of Ely Allotments Association and the Ely and District Horticultural Society merged into one and became the City of Ely Allotments and Gardens Association.
The discussions on the merger began last year as there were several things, pertaining to the original organisations, which needed to be sorted
out to result in a smooth transition.
The main change is that the gardening stores, previously run by the Horticultural Society for its members, is now available to all the allotment tenants.
A new committee has been formed, with the officers of the previous Allotment Association staying in post, as it is the busy period for rent renewal, until the first AGM in March 2019.
The aims of the new Association will be to
promote allotments and gardening within the
Ely area, in several ways, including involvement
with the local schools, adult learning centres and other organisations.
Finally, the reason for the title of the article; it was found that after the name of the new Association had been decided, the same title had been used by a similar organisation in the 1930s. Confirmation of this was further established when the original signboard was found.
Graham Bond, Chair, City of Ely Allotments and Gardens Association
The Darren Fazackerley Award for 2019
The Darren Fazackerley Award will again be presented by the Eastern Region Panel, in honour of Darren Fazackerley's memory, for the Best Project or Scheme of the year in the Eastern Region.
The nominated projects/schemes may have commenced in the previous year to the Award being presented; therefore, the 2019 Award will be present for the Best Project or Scheme completed in 2018. However, the nominated projects/ schemes may have commenced in the previous two calendar years, with the completion in the year that the Award will be presented. The award will only
be presented to an individual site or association that is a full member of the NAS.
The Trophy is to be held by the winning site for one year; thereafter, a Certificate is to be awarded, and the Trophy passed to the following year's winner. The schemes or projects are to be nominated by an individual NAS Member, a paid-up association or society, or by any other body that is also a member of the NAS.
The nomination should be accompanied by a brief explanation of the scheme
or project - maximum 200 words plus photographs, if possible, to assist the judges.
Projects or schemes could, but not exclusively, be for example:
• Site regeneration, which could include works to the infrastructure of the site.
• New toilets installed for all users including those with special needs, or the installation of a new Trading Shed.
• The involvement of disadvantaged groups within a site/project/scheme i.e. raised beds, and/or firm level paths for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users.
• A project or scheme may be one that can be seen as widening the appeal and benefits of allotments to other groups within the local community, including families with children.
• Any scheme/project must also prove to be of positive benefit to all users of the site or association.
Application forms for nomination are to be made to: Mrs Sheila Pullin, Eastern Region Panel Secretary, 28 First Avenue, Billericay, CM12 9PT. Email: sheilascottage@talktalk.net Tel: 01277 657 776
Completed nominations should be returned before the 31st March, 2019.
A short list of nominations will be drawn up by three members of the Eastern Region Panel, with the final winner being judged by an independent member of the NAS.
Further information about Darren Fazackerley and his work for the National Allotment Society and in particular the Eastern Region of the NAS may be found in Issue Four 2018 of the Allotment and Leisure Gardener Magazine.
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