Page 50 - ALG Issue 3 2020

Eastern
Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
Welcome to our new members...
Cheddington Allotment Club
Old Stratford Garden Allotment Association The Eversdens's Allotments
Toppesfield & Gainsford End Allotment Society
Stokenchurch Parish Council 22 Individual Memberships
REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Ray How
5 Dalys Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1RA
07720 719224 ray.how@btopenworld.com
MENTOR
Vacant
Letter to the Editor
Eastern Region
report
What an unusual period we are in. Beautiful sunshine, and yet we have been in lockdown not being able to go where we want or be free to do what we want. However, thanks to having an allotment, we have been able to enjoy fresh air and exercise. Allotments have never looked so good and been so popular. No doubt some of us have lost loved ones and very close friends and relatives, and our thoughts are with their families at this very difficult time. Hopefully by the time we are reading this edition of ‘The Allotment’ we will be back to near normality.
There are always little problems on sites and in associations, but all I would say is that there are a lot more problems in the world, so please try and be friendly to your neighbouring plotholders.
Many garden centres and larger DIY stores have stopped selling Glysophate based weedkillers, which is a good thing. If you still have it at home, please do not use it and dispose of it sensibly.
Happy growing and here is to a GOOD and healthy season.
Please support our region and help it grow stronger.
Ray How
Regional Rep Eastern Region
I wanted to drop you a note on producing a good informative and enjoyable membership magazine, but also to say that my grandson of 12 weeks also found it interesting and it kept him quiet for a while whilst waiting for his next feed. Here is a photograph of him reading the mag – we start them young in Essex!
I am Steve Clarke, one of the two Letting Managers for our two sites: Hatfield Peveral Allotment Association (HPAA), Essex. We have over 130 members now across the two sites, with varying plot sizes, and are now full, which is a good sign as we have had vacant plots for a few years. Glad to see it up to capacity.
The good news is that there has been a take-up of younger people with their children wanting to get involved and have their own little piece of the plot to grow what they want, which is looking good for the future.
What we have also seen recently is that the members have taken advantage of the lockdown and furlough to exercise and bring their plots up to a very good standard. The allotment has also been a saviour for some members, who may not have been able to get out otherwise, and allows for some social interaction across the plots to keep the social distancing rules in place with normal banter and daily updates on
life in general, plus the added bonus
of vitamin D. All the members I have spoken to on site have been so grateful they could go to the allotment.
The members all like the magazine, and it was from one of the previous editions that made me create some starter plots to give people/families
a taster of allotment life to see if they wanted to take it further. I have just finished creating the starter plots and even though only 1.5 rods each they have been successful, with the first two taken up with the first two enquiries. I am looking for more on site as we now have a waiting list. So, I would like to say thanks for the idea as I can’t remember what region this was mentioned from.
Steve Clarke, HPAA
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50 Allotment and Leisure Gardener