Page 39 - ALG Issue 4 2024

EASTERN
NEW COMMUNITY
HUT
After just over two years of fundraising, the plotholders of Hellesdon Allotment on Bush Road in North Norwich have finally had the pleasure of opening their community / trading hut.
It was an arduous task undertaken by committee members seeking grants and donations, but a great deal of help came from both the Parish and District Council, who offered both advice and grants.
Plans started in 2004 when the original Association committee members applied for permission to erect a hut to sell sundries to plotholders and an area for plotholders to enjoy a coffee or tea and have a chat. Committees came and went but eventually I became Chairman and decided to take up the original challenge. In December 2021, I applied to site
Currently within the hut, we have a read and return book library and we offer coffee and tea if the weather is bad.We sell Growmore, and fish, blood and bone, as well as chicken manure pellets in 1
kilo bags. Recently we held a defibrillator training session and a security awareness day with Norfolk Constabulary.We are hoping to hold more training courses and workshops and trying to encourage local community groups to engage with us.The hut is the centre point of the Bush Road site and hopefully becomes a place where like-minded people can sit and enjoy time getting ideas and tips or just chatting.
Special mention must go to local business that got involved, Hellesdon Parish Council and Broadland District Council and all
the committee members of Hellesdon Allotment Holders Association also known as HAHA.
Mark Vincent, Chairman of Hellesdon Allotment Holders Association and Eastern Region Deputy Representative
the hut on the Bush Road site. Shelagh Gurney, a District Councillor, helped with applications for grants and was a big part the completion of the set up. In February of this year, the association had the funds to finally put the hut in place. After weeks of ensuring the Health and Safety and insurance necessaries were in place, the hut was officially opened on what was a good day.
of
“within the hut, we have a read and return book library and we offer coffee and tea”
Allotment and Leisure Gardener | Issue 4 2024 | 39
Welcome to...
Denham Allotment User Association Feenan Highway Tilbury Forum
Allotment Association
Gilden Park Residents Association Spaldwick Community Allotment
Association
Briningham Parish Council Melbourn Parish Council Peterborough City Council Watton Town Council Corton Poor’s Land Trust South Creake Parish Council 22 Individuals
Regional Report
What an unusual summer we’ve had! Very hot and dry and then lots of rain and now very hot again – a typical English summer. Some crops have failed this year, and others have done extremely well; for me carrots and beetroot have done well. I have tried very hard to be pesticide free and No Dig. Both appear to be beneficial and have helped the plot. More time for drinking tea and chatting.
The question of “Peat Free” is still around and I have tried several different ones with various success rates.We will not have a choice soon and I am trying very hard to make my own. I would like to hear how other members have been getting on.
There have been the usual problems on allotment sites, and I usually find that talking to each other over a cuppa helps to defuse many situations. Locally, there are several new sites coming to fruition and hopefully this will generate more interest in the NAS and the work that we are trying to do.
I think that all allotment associations and plotholders should share their knowledge and expertise with the younger generation so that they become the gardeners of the future. This is more important especially as the medical profession is saying that gardening is the best form of exercise for health and wellbeing.
Please support your councils and
associations to help improve facilities and keep allotments going.
Please support our region and help it grow stronger.
Ray How
Regional Rep Eastern Region