Archive for May, 2005
Allotment Wildlife
May 19th, 2005
Cartoon drawn for WASHA by Arthur Wren
This section will be written and updated by Mark Havler (Plot 8). Mark is employed as Countryside Ranger by Surrey Wildlife Trust. He is an expert in flora and fauna in and around the British Isles.
( use the ‘washa email‘ to ask Mark questions or pass on information of sightings)
Allotments for wildlife (just a few notes to begin with)
There are many things allotments bring into a community – let alone the honest feeling of “growing your own”.
The hidden benefits of helping wildlife should also be considered. On the Westborough Allotments, Aldershot Road, we are privileged to have a wide variety of plants and and animals co-existing among the plots on site.
As from this summer, I have been collating notes about what we have on site and investigating any newcomers to the area.
Easiest then to start with birds and amphibians seen up to now – September 2004.
gold finch, blue tit, great tit, house sparrow, green finch, sparrow hawk, kestrel, pigeon, collared dove, blackbird, song thrush, crow, jackdaw, magpie, jay, green woodpecker.
common frog, common toad, slow worm, grass snake.
Also seen on site this year have been glow worms which are getting much more scarce than of old.
(December 04) Winter is a bad time for many animals and they have to look for alternative food and shelter. Now, rather than the summer, is the time to start loading up the bird table with food and water.
If you’re lucky, you may get the ever more bold Nuthatch and Brambling coming along to brighten up the normal varieties of Blue tits, Robins and Chaffinches.
Question
What has happened to the starlings? We used to have flocks of them flying in at dusk to roost in the trees by the reservoir. There were small groups which regularly trawled through the grass on the lower path walkways looking for food. Now we hardly see any!
You will be glad to know they are still around but have shunned the cold lights of Worplesdon for warmer sites such as the sewage works or close to the town centre where they use the brick buildings.
Numbers have dropped off over the past few years but nothing to be really worried about yet.
Question
One year we had a lone starling which used to feed on our lower plots and was quite tame. It obviously wasn’t safe alone and a sparrowhawk flew down and got him even though I was only metres away. The hawk didn’t have time to lift off the ground before it was surrounded by six magpies which appeared from nowhere and wanted a share of the kill. It was a complete stand-off until a crow flew in squawking and the hawk got airborne in the confusion and carried off its prey.
How did the magpies get on the scene so quickly; with the crow not far behind?
Do the carrion eaters shadow the hunters?
Magpies are notorious for looking and listening. Like all the Corvid (crow) Family, they do possess a brain and are willing to use it. Young birds learn their trade (scavenging) from their parents just as we do. As they can live for a decade, it’s not surprising that they get faster and faster at spotting an opportunity and taking advantage, however grisly it may be. So the sparrowhawk gets spotted and mobbed very quickly which is a shame as it did all the work in catching the food.
If you have questions for Mark please send them via the WASHA email.
Posted in Allotment Wildlife | Comments (0)
Plots4U
May 19th, 2005
The benefits of allotment cultivation are becoming increasingly recognised:-
- A great way to exercise and get something back in return.
- The satisfaction of eating fresh food which you have grown yourself.
- Knowing exactly how it was produced (no preservatives, colourings or artificial additives). Just how nature intended!
Add to this the opportunity of making new friends and building a community for a better future. There are many plots managed by young and old and we wholeheartedly encourage you to take up this great opportunity. Have a look at the plot diagram below and /or contact us for a speedy response.
Plot Diagram, click for full size.
Posted in Plots4U | Comments (0)
Contact Us
May 19th, 2005
To obtain a plot;
- Contact Guildford Allotments Society (GAS) at PO Box 1081, Guildford GU1 9HU.
- email guildfordallotmentsociety@yahoo.co.uk
- visit the Guildford Allotment Society website
Email WASHA;
Posted in Contact Us | Comments (0)
WASHA Disclaimer
May 19th, 2005
By using washa.org.uk you agree to be legally bound by these terms, which shall take effect immediately on your first use of the site. Access to and use of this site (‘washa.org.uk’) is provided subject to the following terms:
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These terms may be changed at any time by posting changes online. Please review these terms regularly to ensure you are aware of any changes made. Your continued use of washa.org.uk after changes are posted means you agree to be legally bound by these terms as updated and/or amended.
washa.org.uk content, including the information, recommendations, names, images, pictures, logos and icons regarding or relating to WASHA, its products and services (or to third party products and services), is provided “AS IS” and on an “IS AVAILABLE” basis without any representations or any kind of warranty made (whether express or implied by law) to the extent permitted by law, including the implied warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, compatibility, security and accuracy.
Under no circumstances will WASHA be liable for any of the following losses or damage (whether such losses where foreseen, foreseeable, known or otherwise): (a) loss of data; (b) loss of revenue or anticipated profits; (c) loss of business; (d) loss of opportunity; (e) loss of goodwill or injury to reputation; (f) losses suffered by third parties; or (g) any indirect, consequential, special or exemplary damages arising from the use of washa.org.uk regardless of the form of action.
WASHA does not warrant that functions contained in washa.org.uk content will be uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected, or that washa.org.uk or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or bugs.
You agree to use washa.org.uk only for lawful purposes and in a way that does not infringe the rights of, restrict or inhibit anyone else’s use and enjoyment of washa.org.uk. Prohibited behaviour includes harassing or causing distress or inconvenience to any person, transmitting obscene or offensive content or disrupting the normal flow of dialogue within washa.org.uk.
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The Allotment Site
May 17th, 2005
- The site is bounded by Woodside Road, Broadacres Estate, Hillside Road and near the Mercedes dealership car park and garage. See map for more details. It can be seen from the Aldershot Road.
- The land is owned by Guildford Borough Council, which has delegated management of the site to the Guildford Allotment Society (GAS).
- Each tenent enters into an agreement stating conditions of tenancy for the lease of his/her allotment and is expected to abide by the Rules of the Allotment Gardens.
- At present GAS appoints a Warden/Steward who is responsible for plot allocation, communal machinery and adherence to the rules.
- The composition of the soil is clay, which with good cultivation and addition of organic matter, can produce a wide range of vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers.
- The site is on a hill with panoramic views, abundance of wildlife, and provides a wonderful way to relax from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Site Warden – Job Description
Roles and Responsibilities
To be the main point of contact for all tenants on site, acting as intermediary between tenants and management of GAS.
- Keep tenants updated on developments both locally and throughout all GAS sites.
- Show new prospective tenants round site advising of rules and tenancy agreement.
- Ensure all tenants abide by the rules and tenancy agreement and enforce these where necessary.
- Listen to problems, issues and disputes of tenants and resolve these diplomatically and decisively.
- Ensure gateways/access/paths and roadways are mown and cleared for access.
- Organise regular work parties on site to ensure site kept tidy at all times.
- Undertake some maintenance work on site including hedge/trimming, clearance of overgrown plots and minor maintenance of machinery.
- Monitor deliveries to site e.g. of manure or collection and delivery of repaired machinery.
- Attend meetings on site or elsewhere with tenants.
- Attend meetings and develop relationships with local residents.
- Attend meetings of all wardens of GAS, raising tenants’ issues.
- Ensure all tenants’ details are kept up to date with Treasurer, advising of any changes of address/phone number etc.
- Administer keys to tenants and ensure all access ways are secure at all times.
- Monitor water use and provide meter readings to treasurer.
- Advise non paying tenants of their responsibility to pay treasurer in a timely manner.
- Promote allotments generally, including leaflet drops, word of mouth.
- Attend on behalf of GAS Surrey County Shows and other shows/fairs.
- Contribute to newsletter.
- Deal with phone calls from tenants and GAS management.
- Provide gardening advice and assistance to tenants where requested.
- Commitment to GAS.
Personal Qualities
- Enthusiastic, committed and hard working.
- Positive and diplomatic.
- Approachable with a pleasant disposition.
- Keen interest in community involvement.
Reward
- Job satisfaction and a small honorarium after twelve months service.
Posted in The Allotment Site | Comments (0)
Constitution
May 16th, 2005
1. NAME
The Organisation shall be called “WESTBOROUGH ALLOTMENTS SELF HELP ASSOCIATION”
2. OBJECTS
The objects for which ‘WASHA’ is established are:
1. To ensure the site of the Aldershot Road Allotments is preserved as allotments for future generations.
2. To promote interest in the cultivation of allotments in the community and to take joint action for the benefit of plot holders.
3. To promote the interests of all plot holders in the gardening activities and to take joint action for the benefits of plot holders.
For this purpose. but not otherwise, the organisation shall have the following powers:
a. to obtain support from SPONSORS.
b. to obtain FUNDING for improvement of the soil and site facilities.
c. to generally do all such lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of such purposes.
3. MEMBERSHIP
1. Membership of WASHA is open to all plot holders of the Aldershot Road Site and is so accorded unless specifically declined.
2. Membership allows those members to attend and vote on issues which are raised, or which they may raise, at an AGM or at any other General Meeting of WASHA, which may be called. This includes the election of Officers and Committee Members.
4. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1. The Committee shall contain four Officers, a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer plus up to six Committee Members as agreed at the AGM.
2. Any one officer shall hold office for one year, after which he/she shall stand down and seek re-election at the AGM.
3. Any member may stand for election to any post. A candidate needs a proposer and a seconder who shall both be members. Election to any post shall be by simple majority.
5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
1. The AGM shall be convened by the Committee. Notice shall be given to all members at least fourteen days before the date thereof.
2. The Chairman shall conduct the meeting, or in his/her absence, the persons present shall, before any business is transacted, appoint a Chairman for the meeting.
3. The Committee shall present to each AGM the report and accounts for the preceding year.
6. FINANCE
1. The Committee shall cause proper accounts to be kept of the transactions of WASHA and arrange for them to be scrutinised on a year by an independent examiner appointed at the AGM. These will be presented in the Annual Report at the AGM.
2. Monies received from any source on behalf of WASHA shall be paid into a bank account held in the Name of “WESTBOROUGH ALLOTMENTS SELF HELP ASSOCIATION”. Cheques shall be signed by two out of three agreed signatories.
7. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION
1. Alterations to this constitution must receive the assent of not less than two-thirds of the members of WASHA present and voting at an AGM or a Special General Members Meeting. A Resolution for the alteration of the Constitution must be received by the Secretary at least twenty-eight days before the meeting at which the Resolution is to be brought forward. At least fourteen days notice must be given by the Secretary to the membership and must include notice of the alteration.
8. DISSOLUTION
1. The organisation may at any time be dissolved by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose. if such a resolution is passed.
2. All sponsors of the organisation must be informed immediately and all monies accrued be used to pay all outstanding financial commitments. Any remaining monies should be returned to sponsors in direct proportion to the ratios of their contributions.
Posted in Constitution | Comments (0)