July 2003
Issue 9

 

Inside this issue

1      Chairman's Chat

2           Catching Up - the
              Allotment Group revived

3      And now the bad
              news…Allotment rent
             increase

4      Organic Termination

5      Keep ‘Em Clean - allotment
              spring clean

6      The Annual Meeting  - it's
              your shout

7      Feedback

 

 

Chesham Town Council
Town Hall
Chesham
HP5 1DS

Tel 01494 774842
Email: admin@chesham.gov.uk
Website: www.chesham.gov.uk

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Management Group for the Asheridge Road site. Unfortunately the terms and references for the Allotment Group could not be agreed upon between holders and Town Council and the proposal was shelved. Nevertheless, it has just been agreed by the Recreation and the Arts Committee to set up an Allotments Working Party. This will consist of four Councillors, all of whom have experience working with allotments and four representatives from the allotment holders themselves. The role will be to assist and advise the Council in how to improve the allotments,

The Grower 10, December 2003

Back to Chesham Allotments Page

THE GROWER

Information for
Chesham Town
Council's Allotment
Holders
1. We're Back!

It seems a long time since Issue 8 of 'The Grower' was winging its way to you. The lack of newsletters since October has been less about the lack of newsworthy items but more about staff changes at the Town Hall.

Uppermost among these changes has been the departure of our previous Town Clerk and Editor, Mike Kennedy. Mike has taken up the position of Town Clerk in Huntingdon and I am sure all of you who knew him appreciated his commitment both to the town and the allotments and, like me, wish him well in his new surroundings.

Our new Town Clerk is Bill Richards. While happy to edit the newsletter, he is

undertake an annual inspection and help 'police' the facilities. The Working Party will meet 2 or 3 times a year.

If you would like to represent your fellow allotment holders on this important group, e-mail townclerk@chesham.gov.uk or ring me at 583824

the first to admit that his knowledge of all things horticultural stops at not stepping in stinging nettles. It logically follows that all articles, stories and tips, in regard to enhancing the allotments we all collectively enjoy, will be gratefully received by Bill. All that remains for me to say therefore, is welcome to all the new allotment holders who have joined us in the last eight months and do feel free to express any comments you may have to 'The Grower.'

Diane Brackley - Former Chairperson of Allotments Sub Committee.

2. Catching Up

             Having run my eye over issue 8, it's clear plenty has happened (and indeed not happened) since the last issue. Around the October time, it seemed full steam ahead with the launch of a Self

3. Rent Increases

Here's the bad news,folks, the rental annual charges for the allotments go up on the 1st October. The good-ish news is that the increases are low. Asheridge Road/Bellingdon Road/Deansway charge per pole per annum goes up to £2.90 from £2.80. Cameron Road plots go up to £1.85 from £1.80 and Amersham Road to £2.40 from £2.30. As usual payments are due in advance.

 

4. Go Organic when fighting those pesky bugs!

Here are a few tips from one of our Councillors who is also a keen allotment holder

  • Old fashioned marigolds planted near runner and broad beans reduces blackfly and other pests on our bean plants
     
  • Slugs and snails like bran so when the ground is not too damp sprinkle bran around young seedlings and marrow plants - I won't explain what happens to the slugs and snails but it may prevent your plants being eaten. A flatish dish of beer also attracts slugs and snails and knocks them for six.
     
  • After pulling up carrots, reduce carrotfly on the remaining plants by adding a little jeyes fluid to your can and water the remaining carrots straight away.

ANY OTHER TIPS GRATEFULLY RECEIVED FOR FUTURE ISSUES!

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5. Keep `em Clean

Hopefully allotment holders in Asheridge Road/Bellingdon Road and Cameron Road will have noticed the big clean up that has gone on during the last week. Contractors have taken away a huge pile of vegetation in Cameron Road and general mess and rubbish in Asheridge Road along with ‘non-compost', compost heap. This has been done at no little cost to the Town Council and unlikely therefore to be done again in the near future. May I make a plea on behalf of all responsible tenants that ALL waste (including green waste), is bagged up and taken away with you. There is no communal dumping ground in any site and the Town Council does not have the resources to remove large amounts of waste.

While on the proscriptive theme, could I also remind you that use of hosepipes are not allowed on any of our allotment sites. you are more than welcome of course to fill up your water butts in the garden.

6. A Grand Night Out

The annual Allotment Holders General Meeting is scheduled to be held on the lOth September at 7.00 p.m. This is your opportunity to put forward any views, ideas and criticisms to the Town Council for its consideration. There will also be a guest speaker on the evening chatting about a topic of relevance to all the tenants. Also, the first time we will be revealing the winner of the Best Kept Allotment Competition on the night. The evening may lack some of the glamour of the Oscars therefore but the tension may be no less great. The winner will be expressly forbidden however to thank their fork and manure and burst into floods of tears! Please let us know if you intend to come so we can lay on the requisite amount of tea and biscuits.

 

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7. Feedback Form  (please return to Chesham Town Council, Town Hall, HP5 1DS)

We hope you have enjoyed reading this issue of The Grower. Now we would like to hear

your views. Please write in with your suggestions, comment or tips for allotment holders in

the space below.

Suggestions/Comments/Questions/Advice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like a reply please supply your name and address below. We will, of course,

still consider all comments or suggestions made anonymously.

Name:                                         Address:                                                                            

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The Grower 10, December 2003

Back to Chesham Allotments Page