Newsletter ~ February 2010

Welcome to the first newsletter of 2010

We will be producing newsletters four times a year, and sending them to members and associate members of the society. In between we will send round information on forthcoming events, special offers in the trading hut etc by email, by posting it on our website and on the noticeboards on the site.

If you would like to receive this newsletter and other information by email, please send your email address to Elaine Westmoreland (elaine@gewestmoreland.com). If you have anything (news, pictures, queries and tips…) you would like included in the newsletter, please contact Elaine, or Catherine Beech (020 8686 4200 or beech762@btinternet.com).

Your Committee
Your committee is there to ensure the smooth running of the site. Their names and plot numbers are on the notice boards. The Committee meets monthly and minutes of their meetings are held in the trading hut for you to view.

Plot inspections
In March we will be doing the first round of plot inspections for the year. We will be looking to see that work has started - if your plot looks as if it is not being cultivated, we may get in touch with you. Our aim is that the site should be full and every plot cultivated.

Volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to clean the lavatory on site. If you are able to help with this essential chore or if you would be willing to help on working parties, or could join the rotas for grass cutting on the paths and roadways or other maintenance jobs please contact George Wright on george.wright@fsmail.net. There will be more details of the years maintenance programme in the next newsletter.

Sanderstead Road Gates
The Sanderstead Road gates are due to be replaced in the week beginning 1st February. There will be no access from that end while the work is going on.

Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) from Elaine Westmoreland
The BBCT is sponsored by the University of Stirling, School of Biological & Environmental Studies, which gives the Trust's literature a serious credential, and a scientific basis. The aim of the Trust is clear from the title, but, in addition to conservation, increasing the bumblebee population is also important.

A key factor in both is the provision of a flower-rich habitat, and here we on our allotments can play a major role. Packets of bumblebee friendly seeds will be on sale in the Trading Hut shortly. Maybe each of can find a corner of our plot to sow some wildflower seed, attract the bees and provide a much-needed source of food for them. The quid-pro-quo for us, of course, will be improved pollination of our crops leading to a higher yield. Between you and me I will welcome more raspberry, strawberry and blackcurrant fruit this summer.

There are over 250 different species of bumblebee in the UK, of which six are the most common. The trust would welcome any photos of bees from your plot, which could be published in their magazine 'Buzzword'. Information leaflets will be on display in the Trading Hut, or see the website www.bumblebeeconservation.org. 

Wildlife plot news - from Nigel Williams, Wildlife plot co-ordinator
Autumn was a busy time on the Wildlife area. The old pond has been emptied and cleaned , refilled. planted with lilies, iris, variegated reeds and Marsh Marigolds. Many thanks to the volunteers who helped with this project.

As spring progresses, we hope to increase pond plantings with marginal plants and oxygenating weeds kindly sourced for us by the Horniman Museum. Please do visit your pond, but kindly respect the adjacent plot holder by keeping to the concrete access path.

We hope that spring will see an explosion of life in a pond which had become stagnant and sterile. Alder buckthorn shrubs have been sourced and planted as food for Brimstone butterflies. Hundreds of migrating Painted Lady butterflies arrived midsummer . Early December saw an influx of Redwings and Song thrushes migrating from Siberia, and Goldfinches gathering in significant groups.

Bird and Bumblebee recognition posters will be displayed later in the year, and wildflower seeds will be sold in the shop.

If you see anything of wildlife interest on your plot, or anywhere on our site, please contact me on 020 8657 7971, or email me at nigelwilliams.allotment@sky.com.

Scaffolding Boards
The demand for scaffolding boards has far exceeded supply. Orders received to date will be supplied in order of receipt, and notice of delivery, payment and collection procedure will be advised by email

Training days
Spa Hill allotments are holding two organic kitchen garden training days on Sundays 21st February and 18th April. These offer hands on training and cover digging, raising plants in containers, composting, bulbs and tubers, sowing and planting out. Courses cost £30 each or £50 for two. More details are on the notice boards. If you would like to attend, contact training@spahill.org or phone 07879 007156. If you would be interested in a similar course run on our site, please contact Catherine Beech.

More allotments?
Our site is full, with a 4 year waiting list and this is the case on a lot of sites. You may be interested to know that there a petition online at the 10 Downing Street website to persuade the government to provide more, so if you want to add your name to the petition visit this address:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/more-allotments/ 

Watch this space…
We are looking into setting up an online or email forum for news, snippets of info re plantings, diseases, stuff required or for sale, special offers for free etc. If you think you could help with horticultural problem solving, could you let Catherine or Elaine know….