New bench gratefully received

On Saturday 6th February at the Trading Store, Andrew Dickinson presented us with a wooden bench made by James (Foxy) Fox, a pupil of his at Queen Elizabeth School Wimborne and a member of the 12AED Form Technology Class. The bench has been installed on the Picnic Lawn at the Allotments and will be a welcome addition to our site. We would like to publicly acknowledge our thanks to Foxy and his woodworking skills. Foxy, if you are trying to think of a new project, a Picnic Table might be a very good idea! Thankyou very much!

Dick

(Secretary to the Allotment Society)

Work Party - cancelled

Date: 29nd November 2009

The work party was cancelled due to heavy rain. Some did pop along and enjoyed tea and cake.

We hope to have another one sometime in the New Year

Kings seeds

Date: 22nd November 2009

Kings seeds have now arrived. Seeds were distributed up at the shed from 9.30 until 10.30am on Sunday 22nd November. Those that were unable to make it can collect them from me at a mutual convienience. Contact me on saffron@talktalk.net Uptake on ordering through the NSLAG has been about a third of allotment holders. Funds raised for the allotment society is just under £200.00. Fruit bushes are dispatched direct to purchaser. Potaotoes are expected in about January.

Once the seeds arrive a date to collect from Lamperds Field will be made available.

AGM 2009

Date: September 2009

by Saffron Gallagher

This year the AGM took place at the Corn Exchange. It started at 7pm on 28th September, following the paying of the rents during the hour before.

The meeting was opened by the chairman Bill Cowlin, who announced the Agenda for the meeting and the Secretary, Dick Good then read the minutes of last year’s AGM and any actions that subsequently were undertaken.

The chairman gave his yearly report, giving thanks to the committee for their support and thanking the Town Council for their co-operation during the year.

Dick Good then gave his report in which he discussed the successful first year of the trading store and how next year any allotmenteers from other allotment societies will pay a small ‘membership’ fee to use it. He also explained that he has been doing lots of grant applications that are starting to bear fruit! The aim of the fundraising is to buy a multi-purpose ride on tractor to be used by the Committee to maintain our plots and to offer assistance to other local allotment societies. Then he thanked the committee for their hard work and thanked the Town council for their co-operation during 2009.

Hilary Melrose, our treasurer that broke down the expenditure and income for our yearly accounts. This year we are over £500 in credit. The breakdown will be put up in the shed at Lamperds Field and she is willing to discuss the report with anyone that would like more details. Anyone that has yet to pay this year’s rent can do so by putting it in the suggestion box.

The prize giving then took place.

Best plot

At Lamperds Field

1st was Malcolm Fowler, 2nd was Tony Champion and 3rd & was Colin Jeans.

At Elizabeth Rd

1st was Mac McIntosh and 2nd was Barry Gould.

Sunflower competition:

ADULTS

Tallest: Ian Ricketts

Biggest Flower: Jo Butler

CHILDREN

Tallest: Oliver

Biggest Flower: Niamh

All trophies and vouchers were presented by Councillor Mr Galpin, who also congratulated the Committee on the work they had done in 2009 and thanked them for the new spirit of co-operation with the Town Council.

The committee were re-elected with no opposition. During the year two committee members stepped down and it was suggested that it would be good (but not necessary) to replace them. Willing volunteers were asked for. Tony Champion proposed Malcolm Fowler, who agreed that he would be willing to stand. He was swiftly seconded by Saffron Gallagher. All present agreed to his election. Anyone else interested should contact Dick or Bill.

Questions were then asked

Q: What competition would people like to do next year.

A: It was agreed that the sunflower competition was fun and should continue again next year.

Q: Our electricity usage, could we reduce it?

A: Suggestions to reduce it include fitting a motion sensor or a timer to stop people leaving lights on.

Q: Our water bill is high and is likely to only get higher in years to come could we look into ways to reduce it or use rainwater?

A: A feasibility of collecting and storing rainwater will be investigated. Finding people that know about how to go about it would be appreciated (contact Dick). A discussion about drilling our own borehole was also raised.

Q: Has the person that has been stealing produce been apprehended?

A: Unfortunately not. It the past thieves have been caught and anyone caught will be instantly told to leave. To catch the person responsible then we can all help by getting to know our neighbouring plot holders so that we recognise people that shouldn’t be on their plots.

Q: There is a real problem with dog mess around Elizabeth road? Can we get a dog mess bin?

A: This was once before raised with the town council – it will be raised again, but if the culprits could be identified and reported to the Dog Warden, they would be prosecuted.

Q: Lamperds Field is allowed incinerators, why isn’t Elizabeth Rd?

A: This matter will be raised with the town council

The meeting ended and was followed by drinks and nibbles and time for a chat.

Photos can be seen here