Page 48 - ALG Issue 1 2016 No social share

North West
North West Best Allotment 2015
Well here I am in Manchester at Marlborough Road Allotments, having put the postcode in my sat nav and got stuck in traf c with all those Trafford Centre shoppers. I eventually found an entrance between two houses. As I drove down the lane it opened up into a car park with a brick built building ahead and a wonderful open-planned allotment.
Who says allotment folk don’t have luxuries? As Noelle offered me a cup of tea, I was surprised to see lots of people coming out of the onsite kitchen with China cups and saucers – very posh here in Manchester, aren’t we?
Early this year the North West region decided to hold a competition for the Best Allotment Site. Initially a couple of popular companies were approached for support and both MCPC (UK) Ltd and J Maher were delighted to support the competition. We worked with both sponsors to create the criteria for the competition which resulted
in allotment sites up and down the North West entering, each with their own success stories.
Sites were invited to send location pictures of their sites along with a small written report which was then judged by the executive committee; this year we were pleased to announce Marlborough Road Allotments, Urmston as our winners for 2015.
In November at our regional meeting, kindly hosted by Marlborough Road Allotments, our sponsors were invited to the allotment presentation. We were delighted that the directors of MCPC and Jon Maher (of J Maher) were able to attend.
Andy gave some kind words to both sponsors and explained how kind they
Jon Maher presenting certi cate and £100 voucher to Joe
have been. Back in February, Dave Cartner (of MCPC) was approached to sponsor a beautiful Shield and he said yes straightaway without question and would be honoured to be a sponsor. Sadly in May this year, Dave passed away following a very short illness and he
never got to see the
rst presentation.
We were delighted
that his family attended and the Shield has been awarded in memory of Dave and all the work that he and his company have done for allotments. MCPC are suppliers of Colony Enterprise, the one shop computer based programme to manage allotments both for councils and also self-management groups. Dave and his wife Margaret have supported many events for the NAS not only locally, but also regionally and many of you will remember Dave and Margaret hosting
a stand at the 2014 National AGM and also for the North West AGM in March this year.
Andy described Dave, Margaret and all at MCPC including Charlotte, Sam and Alan as leading lights in supporting Blackpool Federation to become the success it is today with its self-management. They were also praised for supporting the BFAA with professional and personal service, with Colony products. They have become very good friends and Dave’s sudden death was a great shock and sadness. Andy went
on to explain how Dave was always full of advice and had spent many hours talking about one common thing; gardening. He also spoke about how he had enjoyed his many visits to Blackpool.
The allotment movement has the pleasure of knowing Dave’s children Charlotte and Sam, who have recently been made Directors of MCPC and they will be looking at continual improvements to the products and supporting all its clients and customers in the coming years. As we wandered around the allotments, Charlotte said all the work that is going on at the moment is proving a success and the continuation of upgrades will continue.
Charlotte presenting the “Cartner Memorial Shield” to Eddie.
It gave me great pleasure to ask
48