Page 50 - ALG 1 2018 html5 version

North West
May the Exec Committee wish you all a very happy 2018 and hope to hear or see many of you throughout the year, at either our meetings or events across the region.
Well, by the time you read this article we will all have put on a few extra pounds over Christmas, had a lack of exercise, and can’t wait for the weather to pick up so we can
all get down to the allotment. I’m sure we have all been planning our New Year plot rotations, ordering the seeds from Kings, and visiting the many Potato Days we always have across the region. Wow, I can feel the energy and the eager foot-tapping to get back on our allotments already!
Look back at 2017
What a year 2017 has been, with lots of events and functions right across our patch. We have had some success in Southport Flower Show, with a guest of honour - our own very President Phil Gomersall and his dear wife Janet - spending two days at this wonderful show. Let’s hope 2018 is another great year at the show.
It’s been great to hear of the many
Open Days on allotments, not just through Allotment Week but before and after the annual event, letting the community see what happens behind the gates or walls around our allotments; getting local groups, schools and many more involved.
What a pleasure to support so many associations and groups who have accessed funding to improve sites over the last 12 months. Let’s hope that it continues in 2018 with new toilets, fencing, community cabins and polytunnels - to mention but a few.
The money is out there and we just need to ensure to apply and become part of the big changes to help your site. It’s been good to see the increase in young school children who want to learn and be part of growing, from sowing a seed and watching it grow,
to the delight of their faces when they can harvest the vegetables and take them home for the family to eat.
Towards the end of 2017 we held our annual sponsored competition for the best allotment site. It was lovely to be invited
to celebrate the winners at Moss Park allotments; what a friendly bunch of people and a delightful allotment site and, I must say, it is a pleasure for them to be our winners. It was lovely to hear of the open evenings they held on site, the musical evenings, the BBQs and much more - what a fabulous site! However, let’s not forget our second and third place winners, as equally deserved for winning a prize for all their
commitments to the site and community. Sadly, there can only be one winner, but to be honest I feel you were all winners in your own right, so well done to Walton Rd & Tindell Street Allotments. I’m sure everyone who
Welcome to our new members...
Byrons Lane Allotment Hlds Association Dean Row Allotment Society Association The Uppermill Parish Allotment Society Association
Preston City Council Lymm Parish Council Neston Town Council
St Teresa’s Primary School 3 individual Members
visited Moss Park will have new ideas for their sites. Don’t forget, get your site entered in 2018!
We would like to thank our sponsors who attended the prize-giving, and Margaret Cartner from MPCP Systems Ltd who presented the memorial trophy for Dave Cartner, who did so much for allotments
and green spaces - it’s a delight to see Margaret at these functions to keep Dave’s memory alive. Also, thanks to Alan Rowlands for the photographs and to Jon Maher Ltd for their continued support with the prizes. Without these people, we wouldn’t be able to continue with this competition, so a big thank you to you all.
Spring into 2018
Well it’s now onto a New Year; what will
that bring across the allotments? Well, be assured the same professional service from your Regional Rep John Irwin and your Mentor Alan Hull, who are always happy
to offer advice and support. Our quarterly meetings are being planned but if your site can offer us a venue then please do contact one of us to discuss.
Can we do anything different? Can we add to or drop things we do? Your thoughts and suggestions are always welcomed.
We hope to be visiting Southport Show for our 8th Year, and with the support from yourselves let’s hope we have another successful show. As for local shows: while we would like to visit them all, it’s not possible through us all having allotments as well, but if you have details of coming events
please share them with us and we will try our best to have a presence.
Oh, and while I remember, many thanks to all those people who have enquired about NW Treasurer Derek Cooper. Derek is recovering well after his hip replacement, is looking forward to getting back on his plot, and sends his thanks to everyone.
Can we ask for patience during our transition and that our new email address is used from now on (details below)? If you are looking for us on Facebook it’s been deleted and we have decided not to create a new page; however, newsletters will continue and we have listened to your comments to make them smaller. We are looking at a new webpage suitable for the membership.
Our next big event will be the AGM with the venue and date to be con rmed, so watch out for details. In the meantime please note our new email address: nwcallotmentassociations@gmail.com
Happy Gardening and let’s have a great season!
NW Exec Team, Region 3
Presentation: Best Allotment 2017, Moss Park
50