Page 39 - ALG Issue 4 2019

Introducing Brian Hastings
May I take this opportunity to introduce myself to members. I
am thrilled and consider it a great privilege to
be co-opted as the new branch secretary for
the National Allotments Society, Northern Region. It will, for me, be very much a learning curve, butIdohopeIcan
make an effective and enthusiastic contribution to the running and future of the branch at this very exciting time in its history.
I am passionate about allotments and everything that goes with them. I
live in Whitburn Village and am secretary of the village's Marina Terrace Allotments (my allotment is less than one hundred yards from the house
I was born in). I have recently retired from
my career as a primary school teacher; before that I was a print and packaging co-ordinator. Should anyone require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you all.
Brian Hastings
Gilesgate Allotment Association in Durham
Implementation of improvement works to car park and accessways.
After nearly fifty years of living with mostly grass accessways, we are pleased to announce the completion
of our site car parking and accessway improvements. Over the course of three weeks in July/August 2019 the construction engineers removed 200 cubic metres of soil, grass and debris to landfill. We then laid 400 tons of compacted dolomite throughout, covered 200 square metres of the main vehicular accessway with new bitumen macadam, and a further 200 square metres of side accessways surfaced with Whinstone grit for occasional traffic. Our car park was then tidied up with three extra parking bays and new
fencing. A space was also prepared for the siting of an arts feature which is under design at present. All this work cost £35,000 and our thanks go to the councillors and officers of the Durham County Council, who helped us to secure the section 106 grant funding required.
The improvements are already a massive help to our more elderly plotholders and those with mobility aids. But in due course, the safe accessways will allow us to invite schools and other local community groups to our site,
and to hold an open day for National Allotments Week next year.
Gilesgate Allotment Association Committee
A space was also prepared for the siting of an arts feature which is under design at present
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 39
SIDE ACCESS BEFORE
CAR PARK BEFORE
SIDE ACCESS AFTER
MAIN VEHICULAR BEFORE
CAR PARK AFTER
MAIN VEHICULAR AFTER