Category Archives: All News

Meetings

Meeting September 2022

MEETING SEPTEMBER 2022

Present:

P. Jay, M. Runeckles, K. Pearce, R. Pearce, A. Davison, C. Davison, J. Bishop, S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, C. Robertson, C. Collins, A. Collins, S. Simmonds, A. Kledcha, W.Alabaster, J. Alabaster, A. Osborn, T. Dady, J. Dady.

Apologies:

T. Whibberley, L. Dartnell, G. Impey -Thomas, S. Beech, J. Beech, M. Barnes.

Matters Arising:

Complains procedure has been added to the Tenancy Agreement. Canterbury trip has been cancelled.

Rosedale Road Report:

Couple of water leaks fixed. Driveway has been cleared of loose rocks. Scalpings with tarmac will be laid (paid for out of scrape money funds) £5 per ton – 8 ton needed. No more bonfires will be held on the car park because of the plastic waterpipes underneath.

Chadwell Allotment shop has peat based  potting compost in stock, but will be getting no more , if you need it get it now. Open Sunday   9 – 1

The two IBCs in the Boscombe end car park are not filling, will be investigated.

Squirrels are becoming a nuisance, you can catch them but then have to “dispatch” them, cannot let them go anywhere. Apparently putting sweaty socks on sweet corn deters them!

Hand rail on slope is breaking down, it will be removed on the straight path eventually, but left on the actual slope.

12 names on waiting list.

Bull Meadow Report:

Compost and chippings needed. Still waiting for long scaffold boards to become available.

Council will coppice the trees on their land at the back of Les’s plot.

Treasurer’s Report:

Open day raised £256.31. Thanks to all who helped in any way, well done. Raffle tonight raised £13, well done Sheila and Clive. £30 deposits have been refunded to 7 people, still 5 more outstanding, see Jayne if you paid £50 key deposit please. Subs must be paid by/at the AGM or you will have £10 fine added to the total. Well done to Jayne for persevering with the bank who have made a mess of the hand over from Elaine.  Balance £3748.49.

A.O.B.

Clive R’s estimate of the water bill on Rosedale is £575.00. The dip tanks are definitely working in cutting down our water bills. Several people say they are struggling with this system, but if you have an IBC tank, a hose can be fitted to the tank to make things easier. Your IBC can be refilled for a cost of £3 during dry times. See Clive R or Alan.  It has been difficult to keep polytunnels watered during this dry season.

The next meeting will be the AGM on Friday 14th October when committee members will be elected.

Chris will be standing down as Secretary at the AGM after around 18 years, about time someone younger took on the job now! If you are willing to help out the society by becoming secretary or a committee member, please let me know a.s.a.p.

There will be an Agenda at the AGM, if you would like anything raised, please let me know and I will add it, as only items on the agenda will be discussed.

Clive Robertson is now acting chair of the Thurrock Allotment Steering Group. There is talk of the new contracts with the Council being for 7 years at a cost of £35 – to be raised annually. More info when available.     

Bonfire night will be Saturday 5th November from 5 p.m. all welcome, bring food to cook on the BBQ and a drink.

Competition at the AGM – 1-3 best below, 1-3 best above, bring your produce along.

Do not cut off brussell tops  before you have used your sprouts, or the sprouts will not grow.

NEXT MEETING FRIDAY 14TH OCTOBER (AGM) 7.30 P.M TYRELLS HALL CLUB.

Members Blog

Update

14th August 2022 – Update

Hi all,

Many thanks to everyone involved in our open day, from getting the flyers printed, delivering them, produce donations, the lovely cakes and all the help. Takings on the day = £243.31p

Well done to everyone.

Please do not have a bonfire during this dry weather. Take no chances. Please keep dogs on a lead at all times while on site.

If anyone has picked up my enamel plate with a blue fish painted on it and a red cake slice, could I have them back please!

Regards

Chris

Members Blog

June newsletter

June Newsletter

Hi all,

Alan and his very much appreciated helpers have cleared an allotment of the rubbish left by the previous tenant. He had to make 2 trips to the scrap merchants. Raised £87.00) Andrew is going to dispose of the rest. 

I have been asked to contact you regarding what NOT to leave in the scrap metal pen.

  • There were wooden clothes horses with plastic casing this is a NO
  • Garden chairs with cloths seats PLEASE REMOVE THE FABRIC AND DISPOSE OF THIS YOURSELF.
  • No Gas bottles as they do not take them because of safety issues.
  • The pen is for METAL only. If you are unsure, please speak to Alan before adding to the pile.

We also need to discuss the use of Astro turf at the September meeting. Is it the same as carpet?

I have also been asked to remind members that dogs should be kept on a lead at all times as per your contract – thank you

We are not being jobsworths (as was suggested) but trying to keep the plot safe for everyone and to keep it running smoothly.

I have only had a couple of people show interest in The Canterbury Food & Drink Festival 24th September, please email if you want your name put down.

Chris

Members Blog

Inspection update

Inspection Update

Hi all,

The site inspection has taken place, most plots are in a good cultivated condition and passed with flying colours – well done to all of these tenants!  Some just skipped through by the skin of their teeth, a few just need minor things done and couple failed miserably!! Individual emails will be sent to these members. Do not take offence, we are trying to make things better for all members and also keep to the Council Tenancy agreement. Don’t worry if you have only just taken on your plot as allowances have been made for you.

If you are struggling to keep up with the cultivation of your plot and wish to downsize please contact Sheila.

Some trees on site are growing too tall and need trimming, if you need help contact a committee member.

One tenant has given up his plot and left all his rubbish to be cleared by members. It cannot possibly be re-let at the moment. This is a busy time of year for members, so will be cleared in time.

We are very lucky to have a small number of core helpers, many thanks to them.

Still waiting for the year when all plots pass!!! Would make things much easier!

There are two IBCs’ spare, see Alan if you would like to have one of these please. (Rosedale)

Because of the humid weather, now is the time to spray for Blight, before it takes hold.

Happy growing!

Chris

Allotment Tips

Veggie Talk – June 2022

VEGGIE TALK – JUNE 2022

Spray for blight at the end of June, before it arrives. Could try Full Fat Milk and Water, or Copper Fungicide Spray available from Smiths and Chadwell Allotment Shop, which is now only open on a Sunday 9.30 – Noon.

Onions growing twisted = Thrip, pull them up and destroy them.

Meetings

Meeting June 2022

MEETING JUNE 2022

Present:

T. Gudge, A. Collins, C. Collins, S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, A. Klecha, G. Nicholson, L. Dartnell, J. Priest, A. Davison, R. Pearce.

Apologies:

S. Simmonds, K. Fisher, G. Ashurst, C. Davison, Clive Robertson, B. Childs. D. Smith, S. Beech, J. Beech.

Matters Arising:

Plumbing completed Rosedale Road. Complaints procedure to be added to Tenancy Agreements:

Complaints: Contact a member of Committee, if not satisfied with outcome contact TASG, if further advice needed contact NSALG.

Air stone purchased to be put into pond at Rosedale.

Rosedale Road Report:

Some plots are very overgrown, holders are to be contacted. Also, there will be an inspection this month.

It was decided by all present that the £50 deposit charged is not working and the key deposit will be raised to £20. for a cheque to be returned, Anybody who has paid the £50 will be refunded £30. Please contact Jayne Priest the treasurer if you are due to be refunded, and she will arrange a cheque for you.  Mobile number 07851218475.

1.5 plots vacant.

Bull Meadow Report:

All good, half a plot vacant.

Treasurer’s Report: Balance £3,457.68.  Raffle raised £7

A.O.B.

No news on scaffold boards

If anyone is interested in going to Canterbury Food and Drink Festival by coach Saturday 24th September, please let me know via email and how many. If enough names are taken, I will look into booking a coach. The cost is only the coach as entrance is free.

DUE TO COMPLAINTS PLEASE ONLY LIGHT BONFIRES AFTER 6 P.M. OR VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND NOT AFTER 9 A.M. DO NOT BURN GREEN WASTE, COMPOST IT, THANK YOU.

Thanks to all who turned up for the Jubilee BBQ and to those who helped set up.

Reminder Open day is Saturday 13th August, spare produce, cakes and help appreciated.

NEXT MEETING FRIDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 7.30 TYRELLS HALL CLUB.

Meetings

Meeting May 2022

MEETING MAY 2022

Present:

G. Ashurst, K. Fisher, S. Simmons, A. Collins, C. Collins, B. Childs, A. Davison, C, Davison, R. Pearce, K. Bunn, G. Nicholson, J. Priest, A. Osborn, C. Robertson, P. Jay, M. Runeckles, S. Cheeseman, C. Cheeseman, S. Beech, J. Beech, J. Bishop.

Apologies: 

A. Klecha.

Matters Arising:

Correction from last minutes Open day is on Saturday 13th August. 10 a.m. Donations of spare produce, home- made cakes and help much appreciated.

Jubilee BBQ Friday June 3rd from 5 p.m. Bring food to cook and a drink, all welcome.

Rosedale Road Report:

Waiting for new taps to be delivered, old ones to be replaced and fitted to copper as the existing ones seems to be causing some problems. Scrap run raised £97.00, which will pay for these items.

Compost is costing £30 per load now, please be aware of this and only take what you need, leave some for others.  One vacant plot, 13 on waiting list.

Bull Meadow Report:

Email to one member who has not been seen on site for around 6 months. (Done)

Treasurer’s Report:

Balance after payment to Tree Surgeon of £1,400 is £3534.54.

Raffle raised £17. Well done Sheila and Clive.

A.O.B.

It was suggested that we purchase a solar fountain for the pond at Rosedale as last year we lost fish because of the hot weather. Chris will look into this. New flag needed on Rosedale old one is looking a little sorry for itself.

Clive R attended the TASG meeting, in future Thurrock Council will be charging peppercorn rent (no figure yet) but this will now be increased every year by the cost of inflation.

Complaints procedure to be added to tenancy agreement.

There is a rumour that the Council are going to turn the remainder of the old Bull Meadow Nursery into a wetland!

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING BONFIRES ON SITE. PLEASE DO NOT BURN FRESH WEEDS, THESE SHOULD BE COMPOSTED. TAKE NOTE OF THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND, AND PREFERABLY DO NOT BURN WHEN RESIDENTS MAY HAVE WASHING OUT DURING THE DAY. They have threatened to contact the Council.

Meeting finished 8.22. (Andrew!)

NEXT MEETING FRIDAY JUNE 10TH 7.30 TYRELLS HALL CLUB.