Page 57 - ALG Issue 2 2015

Runwell Allotments, Essex
Runwell Allotments, located in South East Essex, are made up of 74 plots which are surrounded by farmland on three sides and on the other side by the busy A132, which leads to the local town of Wickford.
Over the last 18 months our allotment has flourished; in addition to a growing list of local residents waiting for a vacant plot to become available, we have also had a number of social events. The events included working
fruit, vegetables and flowers.
Last year we submitted an entry with
the Big Lottery Fund for money towards
a composting toilet for the site. With help from Runwell Parish Council, we also applied for and were granted, planning permission from Chelmsford City Council. After an anxious wait, in August 2014 the letter arrived to say that we were successful in our bid for funding.
parties, summer BBQs and fireworks night BBQs. We have also seen the introduction of two beehive enclosures on the site.
NatSol, who supplied the toilet, were also very helpful all the way through
The Big Lottery Fund awarded the full amount
of £6,730 to enable
us to purchase the compostable toilet. With the help from our local farmer, willing plotholders and a local building firm, our composting toilet
was installed during the autumn. NatSol, who supplied the toilet, were also very helpful all the way
The bees, which occupy
the 10 hives, made the
most of the warm summer
and kindly produced for us
our first ‘Runwell’ honey
last autumn. The bees and
their hives are maintained
by our three beekeepers, who not only look after the bees, but also provide advice and support to plotholders on ways to increase the bees productivity by planting a range of
through, providing advice and guidance. To celebrate Christmas and the launch
of the toilet, we had an official opening ceremony on 20th December 2014. With
mince pies, sausage rolls and mulled wine, we cheered as Barbara Bisgrove, our longest serving plotholder, declared ‘Bramble Lodge’ (as our toilet is called) open for business. The toilet is sure to be a welcome asset for all plotholders in the years to come.
Linda Payne, Runwell Road, Runwell, Essex SS11 7PN
West Midlands
West Midlands Quarterly Meeting, February
Our February meeting, held at Ansley Village Hall, began with Maurice Lander reminding members that, in the event of a change of lease, they should read the document carefully and challenge, in writing, anything that was contentious. He cited the case of
a site in Staffordshire where a new lease had been introduced over twenty years ago, with changes being made to the lease
at the time; the changes had been challenged verbally but with nothing in writing, the verbal reassurances given at the time could not now be verified. Consequently, the members were unable
to substantiate their claims and had received notice to quit. His advice, and that of the NAS, was that associations should always read any new documents fully and only sign if they are absolutely certain they agreed with everything in the new document.
It had been arranged for the draft changes to the Society Rules to be made available on the National Allotment Society website so all members could be involved and return comments by 7 March 2015. Relevant comments should be sent to Liz Bunting at Head Office.
Although he had officially resigned as Regional Representative at the A.G.M in Blackpool, Maurice Lander had still been attending the Management Committee meetings, with Tom Terrence, who had expressed an interest in the position, accompanying him following his interview with the West Midlands Region Officers’ Panel in February. The election of Regional Representative will take place at the next Regional meeting in May.
The Treasurer reported that the Region was to receive its annual grant this year. He reminded members that they could apply for
Again questions had been raised regarding events taking place at Head Office in 2014. The meeting was advised that Karen Kenny, the new President, had visited the West Midlands Annual General Meeting in November 2014 as part of her tour of the Regions.
At that meeting she had assured members that all arguments had ceased and the Society was now moving forward positively.
always read any new documents fully and only sign if they are absolutely certain
funding for banners, leaflets etc. for their site. The only requirement being that any funding
be sanctioned by the West Midlands Regional Committee prior to purchase and no payments could be made before receipts were submitted.
As Bob Preston has indicated his intention
to stand down as Treasurer at the 2015 West Midland Region AGM in November, Maurice Lander suggested that anyone interested in taking on
this important role should contact the Regional Secretary.
The 2015 Annual General Meeting of the NAS will
be held on Saturday, 6th June 2015 at the Woodland
Grange Conference Centre, Old Milverton Lane,
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 6RN. West
Midlands Region members are encouraged to attend this event now that it has returned to the Region. The final agenda will have been circulated recently. Those wishing to attend should complete the yellow form which was included with the last magazine. Maurice Lander advised that he was willing to be nominated as proxy by anyone wishing to vote but unable to attend in person.
Volunteers were invited to participate in the National Allotment Society stand at this year’s Gardeners World Live
(11 – 14 June) at the National Exhibition Centre.
The next meeting will be at 2pm on Saturday 16th May 2015 at
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church Hall, Alwyn Road, Bilton, Rugby CV22 7QT.
John McNab
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