Page 58 - ALG Issue 2 20202
P. 58

 West Midlands
Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Warkwickshire
   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
Lady Godiva would have been proud...
  Altogether
Gardening Project
Bishop’s Castle allotment gardeners have recently received the good news of a grant of £9,896 from the National Lottery Community Fund for their Altogether Gardening Project.
The grant,
which is aimed
at helping
communities
to thrive,
will provide
for a community seating and barbeque area with raised herb and sensory beds, wooden seating and two brick-built barbecues covered by a pergola for climbing plants and shade. A new large double-fronted potting shed, and cold frames will be situated alongside the communal area so that allotment holders can easily sow seeds and pot on seedlings and cuttings. Short courses will be held so that people can learn the techniques involved in
all the stages of successful seed sowing and growing on.
The allotment site also has a wildlife area and pond, created some nine years ago. The pond now requires a new liner, so this improvement to the wildlife area also forms part of the Altogether Gardening Project. Special tools and equipment are being purchased for community use as part of the project and these will be safely stored by the Town Council, who own and manage the allotment site, which comprises 45 plots. The Town Council is also providing a new accessible, compost toilet for the site.
Sarah Dixon, Allotment Chairperson said: “We are thrilled with this grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. It will enable our willing volunteers to come together to make the allotment site a better place for gardening and for sharing gardening know-how.” Sarah also said: “We are grateful to the Town Council for its contribution towards the improvements on the allotment site.”
Sue Cooper
Allotment Society Secretary
 58 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
The first meeting of the new Allotment Year was kindly hosted by Royal
Oak Lane Allotments at Ash Green, Coventry. Historically, the parish had no clear centre, instead being composed of a number of hamlets, including
Ash Green. Although not mentioned, specifically in the Domesday Book, it would have probably formed part of landsownedbyLadyGodiva. Anyway Lady Godiva would have been very impressed with the splendid turnout on a cold Saturday afternoon in February!
Mike Hinton, a Parks Manager from Birmingham, began the meeting with a very enlightening talk on “Growing Vegetables for the Family”. He went through the techniques and skills required for gardening, a reminder for the old-stagers and an introduction
for those new to vegetable growing. He emphasised that you should plan what you want to grow, concentrating on growing what you like to eat. The preparation is well worth your time, with the right growing environment the rewards are tremendous.
After a short interval in which a
very splendid "Allotment Cake" was consumed by many of the members present it was soon time for the business section of the meeting. The Regional Representative, Tom Terrence, thanked Mike Hinton for his informative talk regarding the cultivation of allotments and growing your own vegetables. The meeting was then told of the ill-health of Maurice Lander who had given much time, both regionally and nationally, giving many years of service.
Preparations for the cancelled Gardeners' World Live event played a large part in the subsequent part of the meeting. The members were asked to contribute a helpful hint, as requested by the Show's organisers, River Street Events. These will now be used on the NAS website.
The Treasurer discussed the accounts and added that additional funding
had been given to support the Region
in promoting the National Allotment Society at several of the regional shows.
The Regional Representative reported that, although the winter month were usually a quieter period for both himself and Colin Bedford, the Regional Mentor, this year they had been involved with various issues and disputes at a number of sites across the Region. He advised the meeting to ensure that any issues concerning their individual sites were always minuted and a paper trail created.
Preparations for the regional shows were discussed. Sadly most, if not all, have been cancelled.
The Birmingham and District Allotment Confederation's Annual Show is due
to be held in the Midland Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham on 31st August. Check for updates on www. bdac-allotments-show.org.uk/ Please check with the Regional Committee for an update on Malvern Autumn Show (15th–26th September). If it goes ahead, we will need volunteers.
Tom thanked Royal Oak Lane Allotments for their hospitality in hosting and meeting the costs for this gathering and everyone who attended the meeting, given the unpleasant weather conditions.
Date of the next meeting: TBC Saturday, 16th May 2020 at 2pm, at Wylde Green Allotments, Sutton Coldfield.
Welcome to our new members...
Eden Park Allotment Association
Goldthorn Pumping Station Allotment Society Stoke Golding Convent Allotment Society
4 Individual Memberships
  



















































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