Page 50 - ALG Issue 2 2021

West Midlands
Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire
REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Tom Terrence
17 Stonefield Close, Walsgrave Keep, Walsgrave, Warks CV2 2PZ 02476 621350 tterrence@btinternet.com
MENTOR
Colin Bedford
West Midlands
0845 261 3672 cbedford.nas@gmail.com
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First quarterly meeting of the year opens with a cheer!
The first quarterly meeting of 2021 began with a disaster as far as I was concerned as Zoom host. I managed
to open the meeting but was the only attendee. When I realised that I was alone and no-one else was going to join me I closed the meeting, not aware that, by the wonders of technology, I was shutting out all the people waiting for me in the ‘Waiting Room’. When I realised the technology was running away with me, I finally followed my own advice and made a frantic phone call
to a younger generation: my daughter. In a few words she put me right and I suddenly found I had joined the correct meeting, the one for which I was supposed to be the ‘Host’, hence the cheer from everyone who was waiting patiently for my appearance. Belatedly we were able to start the meeting. Once again, my apologies to those
who may have missed it owing to my incompetence. (Footnote: I have booked myself on a Zoom Webinar!)
Our meeting began with a talk by Pauline Harper from Norwich, on ‘Winter Vegetables for the Kitchen’. She began by stressing the need for careful planning in order to keep the vegetable plots productively active for as much time as possible. She then took us through the winter vegetables, emphasising the fact that many of the
crops we see in the ground over the winter require a long growing period. Parsnips, in particular, are a real challenge, taking nearly a month to germinate and more likely to germinate if they are new seed. They will taste better for being left in the ground until after the first frost. Whilst some crops will over-winter in the ground, quite
a number such as potatoes, squash, carrots, beetroot and alliums, will be better for being stored out of the ground.
The business section of the meeting followed Pauline’s talk. The Secretary’s Report reflected the current unpredictable situation caused by
the virus. With the viability of the
usual horticultural shows very much hanging in the balance, Kings’ Seeds were struggling with an extremely
high demand for seeds but hampered by the need for social distancing at Monks’ Farm as well as the virus laying low several of their staff. Their usual efficient delivery was now taking nearly twice as long as in previous years, so purchaser patience is required. The June National Allotment Society’s AGM is likely to be a hybrid or virtual meeting. The Treasurer reported that the low bank interest rate meant that it was
an inconvenience having two accounts so they had been amalgamated. He reminded the meeting that sites could
Kings’ Seeds were struggling with an extremely high demand for seeds but hampered by the need for social distancing at Monks’ Farm as well as the virus laying low several of their staff
apply for financial support for the purchase of promotional material, through the Regional Secretary.
The Regional Representative, Tom Terrence, referred to the problems caused by the pandemic. Many problems were being resolved by phone, Zoom or email. Head Office had been involved in ensuring that allotments could still function during the lockdowns and the unpredictability of garden shows.
The Mentor, Colin Bedford, reported that following a successful bid, he
and Tom were currently involved in advising Worcester City Council on the options for the way forward regarding allotments in the city. The timescale for this was very tight with completion required before the end of March.
The next West Midlands Zoom meeting was scheduled for Saturday 15th March, when Martin Cox would be presenting a talk on ‘The Secret History of Vegetables’. Regional members should contact the Secretary for an invitation link.
John McNab
Regional Secretary
Footnote: My daughter later told me how envious she was as she had never received a round of applause on entering a meeting!
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