Archive for the ‘Notices’ Category
Notices
A Chairman’s Thank you.
May 23rd, 2010
As part of the project scheme on Aldershot Road, WASHA,in conjunction with St Josephs Primary school, are helping maintain a school plot that the children are now visiting & learning something about where food comes from & how it’s grown. Many are enthusiastic about handling basic tools and are taught the differences between spades ,forks,rakes etc but what has been a burden in the past has been the heavy clay that Aldershot Road lies on, but with the help of machinery purchased with A lottery grant the site is now beginning to take shape, so a big Thank you to BIG LOTTERY for that. The machinery however needs people to operate it and so to those who rallied to WASHA’s call for volunteers ( and at this point please step forward and take a big bow ALISON, BEVERLEY, JAMES, JURGEN, MAGGIE, NOREEN )who came & broke up the clay by hand and then took turns on the machine until we achieved a full plot ready for planting. A special thanks also to our site warden JOHN who took time out of his busy schedule to come and strim the pathways for us (an onerous task at the best of times). and also thanks to MARY who came and provided much needed refreshments at the appropriate moments.
So in case I haven’t been clear A BIG THANK YOU to everyone named above, your efforts are very much appreciated
Keith Lawrence
Chairman
WASHA
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Contaminated manure
August 26th, 2009
You are probably aware of the withdrawal of the herbicide aminopyralid in July last year after a national outcry about the damag caused by manure contaminated with it.
Dow Agrochemicals have quietly applied for it to be reinstated and this seems likely to be granted by Govt unless protests from influential groups and individuals can prevent it..
I have put a petition on the No 10 website http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/aminopyralidban/ and ask as many as possible of your members and their contacts to sign it. For those who are unfamiliar with the problem, full details of the story which started in early 2008 can be found at http://www.glallotments.btik.com/p_Contaminated_Manure.ikml
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Why are you waiting?
July 17th, 2009
Currently, due to such high demand, the waiting list for allotments is closed even though there are 39 unused plots on the Aldershot Road site. When you consider the waiting list across Guildford is now over 500 it does seem strange that the council will not allow these 39 unused plots to be used by the community?
Adequate provision of allotments is a political decision. Please write to your local councillors or MP about the fact that 39 plots are unused on the top of the Aldershot Road site (Guildford Allotment Society is not allowed to rent them out). This area is still ‘earmarked’ for housing even though this is a statutory site and representations for change of use would need to be made to the Secretary of State. These representations would need to show that the allotments were surplus to requirements. This is clearly untrue as numbers of people on waiting lists across Guildford have risen to over 500. There are over 100 people in Westborough alone waiting for an allotment. As well as this, the recent site allocations consultation showed that local residents want this open space kept for allotments for future generations.
Do you think it is right that the local council is keeping 39 plots in an unused state when the waiting list is so long?
The Aldershot Road site is Guildford’s only site with a formalised teaching program to encourage the next generation of food growers
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Westborough Wildlife Watch, May 09
June 11th, 2009
welcome once again to the monthly wildlife watch, May started out with reports of Slow-worm remains being found on some plots, Crows were suspected although one would imagine that they would take everything leaving nothing behind. Cats have also been known to take slow-worms and as there are at least two felines patrolling the site they are for me at least the prime culprits.
Also on a low note was the discovery of a deceased Hedgehog showing no signs of predation therefore the cause of death remains the subject of speculation.
the rest of the month however took an upturn as report reached me of a Fox sighting (apparently there were cubs on site last year), the discovery of Six sided burnets ( a very attractive scarlet & black moth),many reports of live Slow-worms and the overflight of a Sparrowhawk. Mention must also be made of the still numerous Ladybirds (may they eat all the blackfly) and the many Bees that seem to be around, however the highlight of the month not only on site but nationwide was the sudden arrival of millions of painted lady butterflies having travelled from North Africa, the migration of these and other insects is well known
the surprise was the sheer volume of numbers reaching these shores when usually only a handful ever get here.
Anyway that about wraps up May, please keep reports coming in either by chatting in person or through the website because many eyes mean more sightings.
see you next month. 
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Help stop our allotment water becoming a luxury!
April 5th, 2009
Did you know there are water charges creeping in that will end up making allotments so expensive only the rich will be able to afford one? Please take a minute to sign this petition so we can bring the issue to the attention of the politicians who may be able to stop the new charges.
Click here for more details and to sign the petition.
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The Allotments Regeneration Initiative
March 25th, 2009
The Allotments Regeneration Initiative (ARI) have an interesting website and newsletter which is full of information regarding allotment regeneration. This is, of course, a subject close to our hearts so it is well worth a visit to: http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/
You can also download the ARI newsletter from this page.
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Some Good Advice!
December 2nd, 2008
This excellent advice has come into the GAS email from a long standing, very experienced gardener…
We have a major problem with inexperienced people taking on plots without being aware of the necessary time involved for cultivation. We see them making an enthusiastic start in spring, doing a bit of digging then finding it is all too much. The dug plot then becomes overgrown with couch, dock and bindweed and is difficult to let. It might therefore help if those enquiring for a plot are offered some guidance. This rough draft is offered only for preliminary consideration. Len Wingfield
THINKING OF RENTING AN ALLOTMENT?
Allotment gardening can be very rewarding, but cultivating even a small plot takes quite a lot of time and effort. The television programmes tend to make it seem so easy. In reality a small (5 rod) plot is likely to require an average of about 5 hours work a week, more in spring, less in winter but nevertheless getting out whenever the weather is suitable. It is not a warm weather only pastime. The allotment year starts in September, and it is important to make a start on your new plot as soon as possible. The priority is to prevent it from deteriorating by becoming weed-infested. This means keeping grass paths cut and perennial weeds eliminated. It is not just for tidiness. If grass is allowed to grow long, couch grass (a creeping-root grass which is difficult to eradicate) will take hold and invade the cultivated area. Weeds allowed to seed and spread build up future trouble not only on your own plot but on neighbouring plots too.
It can be a mistake to dig the whole plot at once. It is better to dig only as much at a time as can be sown or planted, and cultivated by hoeing, otherwise weeds seize their chance and invade the bare ground. It is of course possible to cover dug earth with black plastic to prevent weed seeds germinating and nutrients leaching through the soil., but it is important to secure the edges well by burying under the soil or with heavy objects. Otherwise the wind sooner or later gets under the plastic and blows it away, often ripping it up in the process. Machine-cultivation has its place, but in the process perennial weed roots are merely chopped up so that each piece grows again and you have even more weeds. It is generally better to dig by spade and fork, carefully removing perennial weed roots as you go.
Although most crops are sown in spring, several crops need to be sown or planted in the autumn or winter. These include autumn onion sets, shallots, garlic and broad beans. Some salad crops can also be sown and some types of cabbage planted out. In every case the soil needs to be prepared first.
Some allotment sites have rabbit problems. In such cases weekly checks of the stock-wire are necessary to see whether rabbits have burrowed under or made holes through. (Yes, believe it or not, they often do make holes through stock-wire!)
For those inexperienced in vegetable growing the winter is the best time for learning. A range of excellent books are available in public libraries. Also most helpful is advice from your neighbours on the allotment. They will be able to tell you what grows well and what are the particular problems on your allotment site.
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Special offer for WASHA members
September 20th, 2008
Villa Mimma (Piedmont, Italy) offers 20% discount on the accommodation price to all WASHA members who wish to spend a week of holiday in this magic place in the Monferrato region (North West of Italy, an hour’s drive from Turin, Genoa, Milan).
Two self catering apartments and two bedrooms in B&B accommodation are available to rent throughout the year.
Great destination for wine and food lovers. Also great for those who wish to spend some time in a peaceful place, with great views and welcoming hosts. Walking, golfing, horse riding, tennis,… are just a few of the amenities near by.
Central location for those who wish to see the Italian Riviera as well as the Alps and the Lakes, or cities like Milan, Turin and Genoa, all of which are between an hour and an hour and a half’s drive from Villa Mimma.
For more information visit Villa Mimma’s website or feel free to contact Claudia (claudia@villamimma.com or call 07711 756965) directly or try and catch us on plot 5.
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GAS Open Day Invitation
September 11th, 2008
WASHA will be hosting a
GAS OPEN DAY
on Sunday 21st September 2008 from 10am to 4pm.
The new Tree Bog will be officially opened by the Deputy Mayor, Pauline Searle at 2pm.
Visitors (tenants from other sites) will be welcomed, served refreshments and be shown over the site.
It will be completely informal and it will give us all a chance to meet our fellow plot holders from other sites. (weather permitting, of course).
Volunteers are needed please. It would be helpful to have some sort of rota. Contact Bev or simply turn up and help!
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Gardeners needed for Age Concern Guildford
September 1st, 2008
Age Concern (Surrey) is looking for keen Gardeners to help their clients around Guildford Borough.
It’s not voluntary (for a change!), Age Concern Gardeners get paid £10 per hour.
Apart from Gardening skills, the other requirement is that Gardeners must pass a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check – which Age Concern pays for.
If you feel you can help, please contact Lesley Prideaux @ Age Concern on 01483 514472
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