Page 50 - ALG Issue 4 2017

West Midlands
Welcome to our new members...
Hawksyard Allotment Society Highland Road Allotments Kinerton Parish Council
West Midlands News
Our August meeting was held at Cross Houses just south of Shrewsbury, chaired by the Deputy Regional Representative, John Outhwaite. The Secretary’s report referred to the Gardeners’ World Live Show, and needless to say, gratitude was offered
to Mike Thurlow for his presence at the Show. Members were reminded of the National Society website and encouraged their plotholders to visit it regularly, both for the courses and events and for the grants that were available, such as the Tesco Bags for Life offer. Kings Seeds provides a splendid opportunity to raise funds for associations and in these nancially constrained times associations should look for any fundraising opportunity. Similarly associations in the West Midlands Region are encouraged
to apply for funds from the Region to support their activities promoting the National Allotment Society with banners, yers, posters etc. if needed.
The Regional Representative had been extremely busy visiting various sites, individuals etc. across the whole of the West Midlands Region. Currently one site in the Region was under threat of closure. Six sites within the Rugby area were being offered self-management and both Tom Terrence and Colin Bedford, the Regional Mentor, were involved with giving advice. The Local Authority in this instance
Wellesbourne Allot Hlds Association 3 individual members
were being extremely supportive of these sites, providing a start-up fund of £500 to each site. If you are faced with a similar situation do not be afraid to ask your Regional Representative and your Regional Mentor for advice; that is what they are there for before, during and after the event.
Tom also reminded members of the Gardeners’ World Live Show, saying that preparations for the 2018 event were already starting, describing it as a strenuous but enjoyable event and had resulted in a large number of new members, both individual and groups. In total 90,000 people had attended the event this year. He concluded by emphasising the need for more volunteers to come forward to help with plant growing and attendance at the four day event.
The next meeting will be the Annual General Meeting at May Lane in Birmingham on Saturday 11th November 2017.
John McNab
P.S. I have been chasing up associations in the Region who have let their membership lapse and several, particularly the smaller ones, blame low levels of funds. I have deliberately referred to several sources of funding in this article. Perhaps someone could write an article about easy fundraising activities or perhaps people could suggest things that have worked for them.
Tale of bravery as sea de es the elements
A rainy evening failed to stop a crowd of more than 80 people enjoying an outdoor theatre performance celebrating the lives of men and woman who have risked all battling far graver conditions.
Despite the drizzle and overhanging grey clouds, Mikron Theatre Company decided the family-friendly show paying tribute to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and its forbears would go on at St Mary’s Allotments. The award-winning troupe, who stopped in Royal Leamington Spa as part of a 150-date
a lovely setting. Yeah so it rained and it’s cold and windy but it’s a show about the RNLI so it kind of adds to the atmosphere.
“The fact so many people come and sit in the rain to watch us perform means it’s worth it for us to do it”.
Themed around 200 years of saving lives at sea, the play celebrated maritime heroism and sel essness amid unravelling tensions among the characters at Skipwick lifeboat station. The
touring season, performed with typical energy and gusto.
The audience brought raincoats, umbrellas and bottles of wine and ensured a good trade in teas, cakes and spring rolls at the allotments’ improvised catering stand.
Mikron, a registered charity, told the story of a con icted lifeboat station with songs, jokes and drama before a powerful and moving conclusion combining harmonies and narration.
...the play celebrated maritime heroism and sel essness amid unravelling tensions...
gallant efforts of Britain’s life-savers are being brought to life by the Company, who tour by
road and vintage canal boat, at many unusual places around the country, including real-life RNLI stations and facilities.
“We are very thankful that people are prepared to give everything to save people at sea and it puts things into perspective,” James said. “It puts things like not having enough milk in your tea
Entitled ‘In at the Deep End’, the show had no dip in energy or intrigue, with the historical angle of evolving life-saving practices over time deftly woven in. The rain eased up towards the end of the performance but the gloomy skies only added to the drama as the characters at a nancially-threatened lifeboat station battled treacherous conditions to save a swimmer lost at sea.
Cast member James McLean said: “These allotments are absolutely beautiful so it’s always a pleasure to be here, it’s such
or a bit of rain into perspective. It’s an amazing organisation – 140,000 lives have been saved since the RNLI began,
so it’s quite something”.
The irrepressible cast – also including Craig Anderson, Rose
McPhilemy and Claire-Marie Seddon – performed for free with a bucket for donations sent round at the end.
Mikron has now visited the allotments for six years running as their marathon tour of England passes through Warwickshire.
Josh Layton http://www.stmarysallotments.org.uk/
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