Page 54 - ALG Issue 3 2021

Eastern
Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Ray How
5 Dalys Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1RA
07720 719224 ray.how@btopenworld.com
MENTOR
Mark Vincent
mvincent.nas@gmail.com
Eastern Region Report
It is a damp May evening, and we are looking forward to easing of the lockdown. Crops are germinating and weeds are growing, but hopefully a successful season is ahead. We have now had both our jabs with no major aftereffects
and continue to act as Volunteer Marshalls at a vaccination centre. We felt really proud of the number being vaccinated and hope that it will be worth the wait for the end
of lockdown. The Eastern Region is still very busy with the usual queries and problems on site, most of which can be resolved easily.
On a brighter note, I am in discussion with various parish councils, charities and developers about creating new allotments. At the moment there is the potential of at least seven new allotment sites being created within the next twelve months. This is fantastic news.
Many of you may have seen a sizeable increase in the price of
plants, compost, and fertilisers. Some are blaming Brexit, others Covid19. However, whatever the reason please support locally grown plants and British produced compost and fertilisers. This is Great Britain, and we need to show that we are a great country and can produce the best quality goods.
By the time this issue is received, plans for National Allotments Week shouldbebeingfinalised. Please send in your stories and photos about what you have done.
Hopefully before too long we can start meeting in person and discuss what we have been doing. Happy growing and here is to a GOOD season.
Please support our region and help it grow stronger.
Ray How, Regional Rep Eastern Region
New Mentor for
Eastern Region
May I firstly take this opportunity and thank the NAS for giving me this exciting mentor position
for the Eastern Region and become a small part in all things Allotment and Leisure Garden related.
I live in Hellesdon in North Norwich, and I am married with two sons, 21 and 25, who are both into environmental issues and nature. It was them who encouraged me to apply for the position along with my wife.
I am a plotholder and Vice Chairman at Bush Road Allotments which is situated at the end of Norwich International Airport which can be quite exciting and noisy at times, but we have a great community spirit within all the plotholders. We have over 90 plots and a small orchard which has been planted by East of England Apples and Orchard Project. We are currently in the process of developing an apiary with the help from the Parish Council which has created so much interest amongst the community of Hellesdon as well as plotholders.
I am very proud and passionate about all issues concerning allotments from vegetable competitions to council problems. I am looking forward to helping and being a part of the NAS locally and nationally.
Happy Growing!
Mark Vincent
If your business loves gardeners too, then advertise in this magazine
please contact us on 01536 317000
DESIGN & PUBLISH
12 Brooklands Court,
Kettering Venture Park, Kettering, Northants NN15 6FD
01536 317000 jayne@crestpublications.com www.crestpublications.com
Mark will be concentrating on supporting allotments and members in the Norfolk area and we are hoping that Mark is the first of a group of County Mentors.
If you are interested in volunteering in your county (Essex, Suffolk, Cambs, Beds, Bucks and Herts), contact Ray How ray.how@btopenworld.com or Di Appleyard diane@nsalg.org.uk for further information.
54 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
Welcome to our new members...
Anchorfield Allotment Association
Bergholt Road Allotment Community Group Hundon Allotment Tenants Association Lower Bell Field Allotments
Rowhedge Allotment Association
20 Individuals
1 Life Member
Fairfields Parish Council
Great Cornard Parish Council
Hockley Parish Council
Waddesdon Parish Council