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Southern
Hampshire Farmers’ Market at Romsey Food Festival
On a misty Sunday morning in early September we set off down Test Valley in the hope that on arrival at Romsey the weather would have improved – how wrong we were!
We managed to set our stand up in the dry, but very soon the inclement weather arrived and didn’t ease off until the market
closed. The market was held in a car park that seemed to have some drainage problems – we managed to keep our feet dry, but an adjacent stallholder was not so fortunate and ended the day standing on crates to keep above the water. We met many gardeners, and discussed numerous allotment topics with them; they seemed to welcome the opportunity to shelter from the rain under our canopy whilst their partners went about their shopping. Despite the weather, the event was well attended, and hopefully many more people will became aware of the Society and the bene ts it offers. Thanks to Jim More for his assistance.
Mike Cantillon
Welcome to our new members...
Ambrosden Parish Council
Bowling Alley Allotment Association Brownjohn Allotment Gardens Association
Cassington Allotment Association 10 individual members
Royal County of Berkshire Show
This was the last major agricultural show in the year and it attracted visitors from a large area of the country, including the Midlands, Wales, the South East and the South West.
Our stand was located in the Flower Tent where, in addition to the owers, was the ‘Grow your own’ vegetable display and competition, as well as the ‘Inter Village’ competition. There was considerable interest expressed about the NAS, and we handed out numerous membership application forms.
When we decided to put a bowl of cucamelons on the stand, little did we realise how much interest they would attract. They were a real fascination for children; it was interesting to learn of the experiences of visitors in their efforts to grow them. They certainly provided a good talking point that led to the opportunity to promote the Society. Thanks to Alan McPherson and Tim Cann, who assisted on the stand.
Allotment Mentors Needed!
Calling allotment enthusiasts in the South West, South East and Southern Regions.
The Society has a team of allotment mentors who support their Regional Rep to deliver services to members and the wider allotment community. We are now looking for people to join us in the South West and the South East regions; we are also looking for someone who would be interested in understudying the
Southern Mentor Paul Neary, with a view to taking over at some point in the future.
If you feel that you have the skills to help regenerate and develop allotment sites, and support allotment management by both councils and voluntary groups, we would love to hear from you.
For more information please email diane@nsalg.org.uk
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