Page 51 - ALG Issue 3 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
Welcome to our new members...
Greenfields Allotments Association North Stapenhill Allotment Association Ridge Lane Allotment Group
9 Individuals
Colwall Orchard Trust
Vegetable Secrets No Longer
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The second quarterly meeting of
the year took place via Zoom, with attendees doubling in number compared with the previous meeting.
Our Speaker was Martyn Cox, from the Plymouth area, who has had an illustrious and very varied career in the field of horticulture and journalism.
Now a columnist for The Mail on Sunday, he is a prolific writer and has been a pundit on various television
and media channels. His theme was ‘The Secret History of Vegetables’, and he had many stories of intrigue and mystery relating to vegetables. Using an alliterative PowerPoint presentation, he began by extolling the virtues of ‘Amorous Asparagus’ believed to be a potent aphrodisiac by the Romans, who imported the vegetable by the ship-load.
‘Puzzling Peas’ were next, including those found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. The peas became a favourite with the mid-Victorians. Speaking for over an hour, he kept us well-entertained and had barely finished with the letter ‘C’ by the time we had to stop.
The Business section of the meeting was not quite as amusing, though just as packed with information.
The Treasurer, Roger Cartwright,
announced that spending within the Region had been minimal given the COVID-19 lockdowns. He reminded the meeting that grants were available to associations within the Region to help fund the cost of banners and publicity material, the only stipulation being that any paperwork carried the wording ‘Supported by the NAS’ and had the NAS logo. Those interested
in applying for this type of grant were asked to contact the Regional Secretary in the first instance. Tom Terrence, the Regional Representative, informed the meeting that he had been kept busy within the Region but due to current restrictions, the vast majority of queries and problems were being dealt with over the phone or via Zoom. He was looking forward to being able to visit sites in person again soon.
An enquiry had been received from ‘The Prince’s Trust’ who are asking for our support in a grant application to cover various allotment gardening projects involving secondary school pupils. A brief discussion took place within the meeting regarding the viability of such a venture, and Tom agreed to keep the Region updated on developments. He gave a big ‘Thank you’ to all the volunteers at last year’s Gardeners’ World Live Show but stated that it appeared that this year’s would be very much smaller if, indeed,
...he kept us well- entertained and had barely finished with the letter ‘C’ by the time we had to stop
it takes place at all. The show, which
is scheduled to be in the last week of August, will be limited to 10,000 visitors per day with all stands being outside.
It is intended that the Committee will cover the four-day event, so it is unlikely that volunteers will be needed.
Colin Bedford the Regional Mentor, described how, having been successful in tendering for a contract with Worcester City Council to advise on
the way forward for their numerous allotment sites, much research had been undertaken in the first two months of the year. The City Council were particularly interested in encouraging biodiversity and possibly self- management, on their sites and it was hoped that this kind of venture would also be something the Region could develop region-wide. It is hoped that the final document can be made available to interested parties in the future.
Tom Terrence closed the meeting after inviting any attendees, and indeed non- attendees reading this article, who were interested, to contact him regarding the vacant positions of Regional Chairman and/or Deputy Regional Representative.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 7th August 2021 again via Zoom.
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener 51
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