NEWSLETTER OF THE OTTERY ST MARY ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION No.5 May 09
Welcome to the May edition of the newsletter. If you would like a copy e-mailed to you or have a contribution then e-mail newsletter@otteryoak.plus.com or ask a committee member.
Latest on the rabbit problem
The committee and the town council are working together to reduce damage by rabbits, which as we all know, has been particularly bad this year. We know that killing any wildlife can be controversial, but it is necessary to keep the population down, or else all of our efforts to grow our own food can come to nothing. All plot-holders have a legal obligation to control rabbits (Pests Act 1954) and therefore, at times, experienced people will be netting rabbits around the allotment field. There does also seem to be a large population of rabbits in the bank by the cemetery and they obviously use the allotments as their take away. We would like to ask everyone to let the ferreters continue to do their work, and if you feel you need to express an opinion on this please contact either the Town Council, or a member of the committee. There are many allotment holders who have said that if the problem is as bad this year as last, they will give up their allotments and no one wants to see that happening.
The Allotment Committee
Chairman John Rogers email jrogersjmrogers@aol.com Vice Chairman Kevin Walker Inspection Co-ordinator John Kennedy Inspection Team Clare Brewster Graham White Chris Stirling Allison Swaffield Lettings Secretary Allison Swaffield Events Manager Clare Brewster Publicity Officer Clive Essame Sustainable Ottery Link Clive Essame Garden Club Link Angela Packham Meeting Secretary Claire Franks & Angela Packham
DOGS
At the AGM in March we had a lot of discussion about allowing dogs at the allotments. Strong opinions were aired on both sides of the debate, but in the end a vote was carried that no dogs, except guide dogs, were to be allowed on the allotments. This was partly because dog walkers, who have no reason to be on the allotments, see other dogs there, and may feel it is a good dog exercising area.
TOPICAL TIPS
Potato Blight season will soon be upon us. A traditional preventive measure is: dilute one part FULL cream milk in ten parts of water and spray this on the leaves (underside and topside) of all tomato and potato plants. It seems that it is the fat in the milk that blocks the blight. Worth a try! Carrot fly is a real problem and there are a few natural measures worth a try: first off is to put up a physical barrier such as fleece all around your carrot patch, it needs to 2ft or 60cm high to work effectively. You could also try spreading soot that has been weathered outdoors for a year, or try companion planting next to onions.
The newsletter
We rely on goodwill to get this newsletter copied, & we would very much like to cut down on copying and paper. Therefore could you please send your email address to newsletter@otteryoak.plus.com we will email you the newsletter. By the end of this year we would like to have the majority of allotment holders getting an electronic copy.
NEWSLETTER OF THE OTTERY ST MARY ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION No.5 May 09
Security
With the main growing season coming up the threat of human pests pinching our crops may become an issue. We have the padlock which needs to be put on every evening and the numbers muddled up so no one can see what it is. One effective way of decreasing the potential problem of theft is to get to know your allotment neighbours, so you know who should be there, and who is a stranger just helping themselves. The Bob Johnson Cup Again this year there will be a cup for the best allotment, or half allotment. Judging will take place in June when everything should be looking at its best. The judging will be carried out by horticulture students from Bicton, the result will be announced at a Summer Social event, details in the next newsletter.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting was very well attended with 25 allotment holders attending the meeting, and a new committee of 10 people being elected. This means that the work that has fallen on the shoulders of the secretary and chairman in the past will be spread out more. We have a new Chair and Vice Chair, two people sharing the role of secretary, a lettings secretary, someone who will coordinate inspections to ensure that a consistent approach is taken, a publicity person and even someone responsible for arranging events. We will be building stronger ties with the Gardening Club and Sustainable Ottery over the next year. The Rural Skip service is available at Canaan Way Car Park on the following dates:
12th April 2009 10th May 2009 14th June 2009 12th July 2009 9th August 2009 13th September 2009 11th October 2009 8th November 2009 13th December 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm 10:00am - 4:00pm
Hedge Laying
By early April the length of hedge that was laid in February had started to green up and grow. It looks good and should put on a few feet of growth this year. The plan is replant the rest of the hedges around the allotments, bit by bit with whips, and when they are big enough they will also be laid to eventually give us a thick hedge.
Pea Sticks Some people like netting while others prefer the old fashioned pea sticks – please help yourself to the pile of hedge pruning’s just inside the main gate if you want sticks, the committee plan to burn unused ones.
Dumping – please do not dump your allotment waste in the hedges and banks, this means the mower man can’t do his job. Either burn it (after 6pm), give it to Otter Rotters, or take it to the monthly skip at Canaan Way. If the Committee, or the Town Council, have to arrange for it to be removed then there is a good chance that any costs will be passed on to all of us through increased charges for the allotments. As a committee we are trying to prevent any increases in allotment charges for the next year or two.
The next meeting of the committee will be held on Wednesday 27th May, 7.30pm at The Football Club in Butts Road. Plot holders are welcome to attend, or you can have an issue raised at the meeting by contacting any committee member.