NEWSLETTERS

BLANDFORD FORUM ALLOTMENT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER June 2011

Dear Allotment Holders,

As I write this the first rain in a very long time is falling on our plots. What a welcome relief this is too! It just reminds us how valuable a resource water is and how costly. Our water troughs are also expensive and we have had to replace two of them this year because the bottoms had rusted through. Both contained a lot of mud and stones which help the metal corrode. This muck does not get there on its own. It is due to vegetables and tools being washed in the troughs and children being allowed to play with the water, usually depositing large quantities of stones and sand. Water is attractive to children, but also a hazard to them, so keep them away from the troughs and replace the lids after use!

BBQ IN JULY

We propose to organise a BBQ at Lamperds Field on Sunday the 10th of July, in the same format as we had last year. Put the date in your diary and look out for the poster which Saffron will put on the Notice Board in the shed, asking for those who wish to attend and what they would be willing to supply. We will supply the meat and the volunteer chefs, but we will need to know how many to cater for. We also hope to see some of our members from the Elizabeth Rd site this year, as this event is organised for all members of the Society.

Plot judging will also take place in July. The judges this year will be Malcolm and Tony, both of whom have won first prize, so they know what to look for. So prepare your plots and keep them tidy for the judging.

Finally, I have to finish on a slightly sour note when I point out that some of our members do not seem to think that the Council rules in their agreement apply to them. These rules are made for the good of the whole membership and must be adhered to. The most abused do/donts are printed below:

DO:

Keep your plot cultivated and free from weeds and the grass paths neat and tidy.

Keep dogs on a lead and clear up after them.

Keep young children within the boundary of your plot and accompany them when they leave your plot for any reason.

Close the gate behind you when entering or leaving the site and lock it when leaving if you are not sure there is anyone remaining on the site. It only takes a few seconds to get out of your car to do it and it provides security to the property of our members. Leaving it open because you intend leaving shortly is not good enough, since it often turns out to be longer than you thought.

Replace the trough lids after use and do not allow children to play with the water.

Park your cars in the Car Parking areas.

DO NOT:

Light bonfires on your plots, except in an incinerator and after 6PM.

Park on the roads except for dropping off or picking up tools and crops, since this should not take more than a couple of minutes and parking for any longer inconveniences other road users.

Leave the shed door open unless you are sure that there is still someone in there.

These are just a few of the rules you have signed up to, so please read your agreement for the full list and adhere to them, since failure to do so leads to yellow/red card action.

Dick

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