Page 12 - ALG Issue 2 2021

National Allotments Week National Allotments Week 2021
– 9 August to 15 August
Our theme in 2021 is Plotting for the Future; we will be celebrating the contribution that allotments make to a sustainable future.
Hopefully by the time that National Allotments Week comes around in 2021 all restrictions will have been lifted
and we will be getting back to near normal lives, albeit a little cautiously. The popularity of allotments has soared during the last 18 months and their profile raised to Dig for Victory levels without the access to land we had in the 1940s. As a result, we now have people who will be waiting some years to get the allotment they dreamt about during lockdown. However, we are aware that new allotments are being created up and down the UK and we would like to highlight that in our National Allotments Week message in August.
Here are our plans, at the moment, for marking the campaign week:
NEW ALLOTMENT SITES
Do you know of a site near you that has been created in the last 3 years? Email diane@nsalg.org.uk and we will add it to our good news list.
THE NAS VIRTUAL
ALLOTMENT SHOW
We are planning a virtual NAS allotment show this year; details will be on the website in May. Below is some advice on putting together your own association virtual show...
HOW TO SET UP A VIRTUAL SHOW:
Decide and agree your Show Management Team; you will need
a Technical/IT person(s) and a Registration Secretary who would organise entry registration and the emailing out to all club members including audience, competitors, sponsors, officials etc. with a response request (RSVP) so you know who to send the show entry link to at the
time of the show. The show entry link will require a second mail out on, or immediately prior, to the show for those who have registered an interest. The other aspects to think about are:
• Finances
• Potential advertising & sponsorship
• Local causes to be supported by the
This is so important. Rehearse all the “non live”
DIY VIRTUAL SHOW
Presentation would be best on a PC/ MAC because you would use Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides or similar: • For the purposes of this tutorial,
we are using GOOGLE MEET (other
programmes are available).
• Download GOOGLE MEET from the
internet or, if you cannot use it in your browser of choice, you can also download from Play Store or Apple Store.
• Consult the YouTube tutorial on how to use GOOGLE MEET. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=O8Y1vlfpbEU
• Prepare your show presentation on GOOGLE SLIDES. https://docs. google.com/presentation/u/0/
• Your slide show will be stored on Google Drive which is backed up on a cloud and can be accessed from anywhere, including a Smartphone.
• Decide if you want a “live element” for the show or whether it will be only recorded video(s) and pictures.
REHEARSE YOUR SHOW!
This is so important. Rehearse all
the “non live” sections of your show and make sure that all the team are comfortable with using GOOGLE MEET and using email.
VIRTUAL EVENT ORGANISER
Many thanks to Jack O’shea for putting these instructions together for us. If you would like to commission Jack to set up your show for you, please contact him on the details below. He will be happy to answer your questions and give
a quotation on request: play.games. with.jack@gmail.com (anytime) 07938 532819 (Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm)
SOCIALLY DISTANCED
• Editor
• Number and type of classes • Prizes
• Reporter(s)
• Photographer/Video
• Judging Panel Co-ordinator
Before the show, consider if you want to include such things as a raffle, a prizegiving, thanks to sponsors and beneficiaries, thank you gifts for judges, announcements e.g., where the funds raised are to be donated and if the show could encourage new membership. Remember a virtual event is simply your annual show but presented online so content does not necessarily need
to differ.
of your show and make sure that all the team are comfortable with using GOOGLE MEET and using email
EVENTS
Last year a few sites did open for socially distanced events, raising money for charity and showcasing their skills. One such event was Kenilworth Allotments Open Day and there is a short film about the day on this page: www.kenilworthallotments.org/news
The day was very well-attended with 500+ visitors walking around a calm, fabulously presented site, and who dug into their pockets with donations on the gate and at the produce stall. If you are thinking of doing so this year (Covid-19 regulations permitting) let us know and we will supply a poster and publicity materials. Nearer to the time we will look at some guidelines.
NAS ONLINE TALKS
We are planning 3 webinars during National Allotments Week covering Composting, No-dig plotting and Water Use on Allotments. Check out our Facebook page and website for details in July.
event sections
12 Allotment and Leisure Gardener