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Newsletter 25 – SUMMER 2016
AGM 2015
AGM 2016The eighth BLAA Annual General Meeting took place at 2pm on Sunday 15 May on site.Thanks were expressed to the Committee, St Albans Council, Ross (for chippings) and to all who had helped improve the site over the last year. Attention was drawn to the popular social events held over the last year, and the provision of extra car parking space at the top of the site. Members were reminded that they should keep taking non-compostable rubbish home with them, that cultivation of plots was closely monitored by the Council and that the barrier remained in place at the discretion of the Site Officer, Pat Solomons. The full draft Minutes of the AGM and changes to the Constitution can be seen on our Website.
Annual donation to “Good Causes”The AGM discussed three suggestions for the annual donation, this year £100 - Sustainable St Albans, Herts Air Ambulance and Strife. Your vote is needed! Please make your choice on the notice on the front of the Hut door before 1st July. More information about these causes can be seen later in the Newsletter and will also be sent out separately by email.
Changes to BLAA ConstitutionOn more formal matters, changes to the Constitution were put forward and agreed by the membership. The revised Constitution can be seen on the Website. The most significant change was to extend eligibility to stand for the Committee to Friends – but only those who had previously been plot holders, and with the unanimous approval of the membership. It was likely that the numbers of such individuals be extremely small.
Election of CommitteeThe following were re-elected for a further three years:Kim Scrivener, ChairBarbara Vernon, Secretary
The following was confirmed to continue to her second year of her term of office as Treasurer in the new category of Friend of the Association and former plot holder:Jan Carpenter
The following were re-elected to serve on the Committee:Jan CastleDerrick Davies
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 10th July 2016 at 1pm
SUMMER BBQ ON BURYDELL Cost £7 per adult, children under 12 free - pay on the day
Bring family and friends
Winners of Best Plots on Burydell and “Good Cause” donation to be announced.No need to let us know that you are coming but please bring your own drinks,glasses, nibbles, sun hats or umbrellas!
Donation of tombola prizes would be welcomed. Give to Barbara or Jan
Gill FeakesChristine MilesJim MillerPat Solomons - a member of the Committee by virtue of her role as Site Officer
Graham Wilson has agreed to stand again as Auditor.
SITE MATTERSWe currently have nobody on the waiting list and there are 2 vacant plots. We say goodbye to Peter Ricci (plot 21a) and Kristina Schreiber (Plot 27b) and welcome Peter Walsh to Plot 3 and Lawrence Newland Smith to Plot 1c.
At last Plot 35b is in use. This is the plot at the bottom of the site, turn right and at the end of the path is an area that is impossible to cultivate because it is so stony. It needed serious levelling and Mark Tubbs (Plot 39) came to our rescue. Covered by weed proof membrane and chippings the bit near the grass path will be used for turning and parking and will make life much easier for the plot holders along that path. Thanks to Mark for his help with this and to Ross and his son, Joe, for supplying a large amount of chippings direct to the plot. The back part of that plot will be maintained by the Council.
In other news, regular inspections are now taking place by Phil Bruce Green, the Allotment Officer at the Council. He is looking for signs of cultivation throughout the growing season on all tenanted plots. Our new plot holders this year – Peter, Martin, Mark, Marie – have done a tremendous job, clearing old plots and enthusiastically creating productive growing spaces. This all helps to give the site a feeling of being cared for. Bonfires are not allowed now until after 30th September. Grass cutting of the main paths could be carried out by the Council contractors more frequently but with the budget cutbacks this is unlikely to happen.
The last lot of manure that we had delivered was very well rotted. We will probably arrange another delivery in the Autumn. You can still get bagged manure from outside the field in Tippendale Lane. The stables there are always pleased to get rid of their horses` poo!
We thank you for helping us to keep the site tidy by taking your rubbish home or to the dump. If you don`t do it either the area near the gate just becomes a dumping ground or a Committee member has to dispose of it somehow.
It`s been a warm Winter but a wet one. We are sorry that we have had to leave the barrier in place for longer than usual but it just means that the paths remain safe to walk on and less vulnerable to damage by cars. Blame the rain! After some unfortunate plotholders got stuck in the mud at the T junction at the bottom of the site, enough was enough and a Working Party, aided by Oscar, the Shitsu, did some vital maintenance work.
While we had some willing helpers, we also did some much needed bramble clearance and path maintenance
Some did the lifting and shifting on that day. Others didn`t!!
BEST PLOT COMPETITION 2016We will have just 2 categories this year.1. Winner and runner up for Best Plot2. Best Newcomer for plots taken on before the last 2 growing seasonsAylett Nurseries will judge them in very late June and the winners will be revealed and Aylett Vouchers will be presented at the BBQ on 10th July.
SUNFLOWER COMPETITIONWe hope your sunflower growing is underway and that the slugs aren`t having a feast.Let the soil and sun do their work, feed them, water them, stake them, talk to them and pamper them and we`ll judge them by height and showiness when they are in full flower.The timing may change between varieties so we`ll judge over a period of time to see the best from each. The prize may not be huge but the prestige will be worth it!
OUR WEBSITE http://burydellallotments.wordpress.com By clicking on the Email Subscription box on the website you are signing up toreceiving new notification posts from Kim and the Association. It is free, despite calling itself “subscription” and is an additional way of hearing about our activities.
BIRD TALKWe now have 5 happy chickens as Burydell Residents. Fabrizio on Plot 33 has set up a secure home for his 5 chickens – black, brown, grey, speckled and white – a house that automatically lets them in and out, and an electric fence to keep out foxes and human intruders. Fabrizio feeds them a gourmet diet and any scraps left each day goes on his compost heap. No eggs yet. It`s a big commitment for him but it`s great to see some animal life that we want on the site and who aren`t going to raid our plots.
MORE BIRD TALK
Sitting on shed roofs on Burydell surveying the land, a pair of ducks seeking somewhere to create a nest for their eggs. I wonder if this is the same pair who nested amongst the raspberries on Plot 29, 2 years ago. They hatched out and once released from the plot the chicks followed their mother to the river. Last year, despite unbelievable attention from the parents the eggs laid amongst strawberry plants on Plot 18a, did not hatch. All that sitting around on 9 eggs through rain, sleet and hot sun didn`t result in a brood of chicks. Better luck this year, we say.
SUNDAY MORNINGS ON BURYDELL LANE – COME JOIN US ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH AT 11AM FOR TEA, COFFEE, BISCUITS, CAKES, CHAT, SEEDLING/PLANT SWAP, ITEMS FOR SALE!
BURYDELL ASSOCIATION “GOOD CAUSE” DONATIONMembers who came to the AGM this year selected 3 organisations that could benefit from a donation. We would like members to make the final choice and ask you to make your wishes known by marking your choice on the list on the outside of the hut before 1st July. Here are some details:
Sustainable St AlbansThis is a week of activities and events organised in November to promote and encourage sustainability in our community. Last year was the first event and was very successful. It involves many groups, churches, schools and businesses in the area. There is a big emphasis on encouraging people to grow their own food, which is of course a cause that is close to our hearts! Last year there were films, lectures, talks, guided nature walks, open days at Building Research Institute open vegetable gardens, and repair workshops
Herts Air AmbulanceHerts Air Ambulance provides a free life-saving Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). The service receives no Government funding so the cost of running it -£500,000/month – has to be funded by donations.
Patients can be airlifted to the most appropriate hospital quickly, the air ambulance having the advantage of speed and versatility when minutes can make the difference between life and death.
A large proportion of missions are for accident victims. Skilled doctors` and paramedics` ability to reach a patient, identify symptoms and
provide on the spot treatment is crucial in slowing, halting or reversing the effects of life threatening injury or illness.
STRIFE
Strife is a campaign team made up of local residents, set up to fight the proposal for the development of an International Rail Freight Terminal on the site of the former Radlett Aerodrome between Park tree and London Colney.
The sole objective is to see that this scheme is not implemented, so safeguarding Green Belt status.
Currently STRIFE are concentrating their efforts in lobbying the landowners and Herts County Council not to sell or lease the land that is critical in Helioslough`s proposed development. This development would affect us all.
FRIENDS OF BURYDELL LANE ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATIONWe enjoy the support of many Park Street and Bricket Wood Residents and the Committee have decided to include them in receiving information about our activities. Anyone leaving the allotment is automatically included as a Friend. By being on our Friends mailing list they will:
Be the first to hear about our SOCIAL EVENTS Receive our NEWSLETTER every 4 months Be a part of our thriving ALLOTMENT COMMUNITY Be able to join us for a CUPPA AND CAKE on the first Sunday each month from 11am-12md
No subscription is expected, just their interest and involvement. If you know anybody who would like to join as a “Friend” please let Jan know on [email protected] or 01923 6712
QUIZ NIGHT IN FEBRUARYOur Annual Quiz evening has become a community tradition in Park Street with supporters made up of plot holders, their family and friends, and loyal supporters from Park Street. The mix of (not too hard) good questions, a relaxed atmosphere, your own supply of booze and mid quiz chilli and pud, all led by Chris, our amazing Quiz Master gave us a great evening. We thank all of you who donated Raffle prizes. Chris tells me that he has already started thinking about next year`s questions!
ST STEPHENS GARDENING CLUB
Annual Show Saturday 3rd September 2016 2.30 to 4.30pmLet’s have a good representation from Burydell at this year’s show. Even if you are not entering any produce yourself come along on the day, enjoy tea and cake and muse over the efforts of others. This is the club`s major event of the year. Some classes are open to members only but forget Chelsea and other big shows. It is the fun of competing that counts, not the most perfect potato or the biggest beetroot! Exhibits are set up in the morning and the show is open to the public from 2.30pm.A feature of the show is that a number of the classes are open to non members of the club. These include Floral art (include dahlias, miniature flower arrangements, foliage and table arrangements), Home produce (jams, pickles, cakes, apple pies etc), Photography, Handicrafts and a special section for Children (I grew this, cookedthis, made this myself). Hand made cards are on sale and exhibitions of work by Bricket Wood Art Club and ParkStreet Camera Club also feature. Trophies are awarded at the end of the afternoon.
Other Gardening Club events22nd July 8pm - Talk - Horticultural exhibiting - £2 with tea8th August - Visit to Cambridge Botanical Gardens - Members £20, non Members £2317th October 2.30pm - Talk – Propagation - £2 with tea11th November 7.30pm - Talk – Butterflies of France, AGM - £2 with teaFor more information contact Graham Wilson 01727 872718 or speak to Derrick on Plot 34.
Do you have any surplus plants?St Stephens Parish Council are holding its 2016 Festival at the Parish Centre in Bricket Wood on 11th/12th June. The Gardening Club will have a Stall there on the Sunday. If you have any spare plants the Club would be pleased to take them off your hands. Why not come along and enjoy a good day out.
And finally - the monthly RHS Magazine, The Garden is on the table in the Hut for all members to share. Why not have a break from sowing weeding and muck spreading, enjoy a tea or coffee and read The Garden or the hard copy of our Newsletters? The Hut is there for all to use. Please just close the door when you leave.
Your next Newsletter will be out in early October 2016. Any contributions to Jan by1st September please.
YOUR COMMITTEEIn the event of site related problems please speak to Pat, Site Liaison Officer, in the first instance.
Chair: Kim [email protected] … 07899 844564
Secretary: Barbara [email protected] … 01727 872092
Treasurer: Jan [email protected] … 01727 874842
Site Liaison Officer: Pat [email protected] … 01923 671277
Membership/Newsletter: Jan [email protected] … 01923 671277
Information: Barbara [email protected] … 01727 872092
Gill [email protected] … 01727 875399
Derrick Davisderrick.a.davis@btinternet … 01727 873657
Christine [email protected] …07703 498257
Jim [email protected] …01727 872014
