Page 5 - ALG Issue 3 2019

President’s
scribblings
Well these AGMs seem to come around quicker every year. Llandudno was
not the easiest place to get to, but nevertheless it was a lovely venue in a very nice place. It was just as well it was a nice hotel, considering the pretty wet weather. It was lovely to see everyone again. If you didn’t visit the Beaumaris Allotments after the AGM you missed a real treat. It was a beautiful site and in a lovely location. We were made most welcome with a conducted tour around the site and homemade wine to finish off with, very nice. I am encouraging them to join the ‘International Good Sites Guide’. If you think your site may qualify, contact me or your Regional Rep. Whilst talking about the ‘Office International du Coin de Terre et des Jardins Familiaux’ (quite a mouthful!),
I am pleased to say that they have followed our example and are now the ‘International Allotment Federation’;
a very good move. May I also take this opportunity to ask you to check out the International Diploma criteria on our website; I am certain there are some sites that would already qualify. It was a real privilege for me to present my old friend and colleague of many years, Alan Hull, with a trophy for his long and dedicated service to the NAS. It was also a treat to see Steve Clements (sporting his knee caps again) and
to present him also with a trophy for his dedicated and long service. The Jim Tandy award went to Jeff Barber; there could not be a more deserving candidate. The amount of work Jeff has put into this organisation is immeasurable. Well done Jeff.
The AGM marked the beginning
of my third year in office as your President and with health and energy permitting, I shall continue to make every effort to promote and help improve our organisation. I went straight to Gardeners’ World Live at Birmingham to help on the NAS stand and participate in the talks. What
an absolutely splendid show stand. Well done to all the West Midlands volunteers, and in particular John Outhwaite, for his organisation of all the speakers that attended. Every talk was packed to capacity and standing three deep at the back and sides; the talks were extremely well received. Forty new individual members were also signed up and application forms sent to many non-member sites. A total success.
Prior to the AGM, the first NAS/Lantra training session was organised in
my region, Yorkshire. It was a great success and I would encourage anyone who is interested to participate. It was
It was
a real privilege for me to present my old friend and colleague of many years, Alan Hull, with a trophy for his long and dedicated service to the NAS
very thorough and interesting and we all passed. Just waiting for the certificate now and itching to put on another course.
It is with sadness I report that Tony Heeson, National Allotment Society Chair and Yorkshire Regional Representative, passed away on the 3rd June 2019. Tony will be greatly missed as he dedicated all his time in recent years to allotments and in particular
to the NAS. He has steered the organisation through some very difficult times. He always spoke his mind but was firm, fair and honest. Tony had become a good friend and colleague over the years and I shall miss him, as will the NAS Yorkshire where he was also Secretary. His funeral took place on the 19th June 2019 in Doncaster and the ceremony was packed.
Phil Gomersall
STOP PRESS – Changes to Members area log-in procedure.
• User name – no change, this is still your membership number
• Password – contained in the code under your address on the carrier letter for this magazine
This is due to the much-needed upgrade of our database. Old log-ins will work for a short period of time
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener 5