What's going on in 2021
June Update
Following the extension of Covid restrictions, we have had to postpone the Annual General Meeting. We have pencilled in Monday October 4th. Venue to be confirmed.
We still expect to be able to hold the Autumn Show on August 22nd. The Show Schedule detailing all the classes available, together with the Rules for Exhibitors are available above.
May Update
Following the lifting of certain Covid restrictions, 6 members of the Allotment Association Committee were able to hold the first Committee Meeting of 2021 on Wednesday 6th May.
A number of events have now been planned for the rest of the year including a Litter Pick, the AGM and the Autumn Show - see events page for more details.
We will not be holding the Plant Sale as restrictions have not been eased enough. However plants will be available in the shop on Sundays and Tuesday as they become ready.
January Update
Happy New Year! The Committee and I hope you are all keeping safe and well and are looking forward to the new season with renewed enthusiasm! Given that we have yet to hold our AGM, I thought it appropriate to update you on quite a number of topics:
Kings Seed Orders - Potatoes
The potatoes that some members ordered from Kings Catalogue last October have now arrived and should be collected as soon as possible.
Membership renewals
I would also like to remind everyone that the 2021 annual subscription of £4.50 is now due and that only paid-up members of the Association may purchase goods from the shop.
Shop Opening
From Sunday 24th January, the shop will open (09:30 – 11:30am) each Sunday and Tuesday.
However, in accordance with our Covid operating policy, restrictions will be imposed to ensure a safe environment exists for both customers and shop volunteers. Masks must be worn at all times and no more than one customer will be allowed inside the shop at any one time. Those waiting outside are reminded to observe the recommended social distance of 2m. Currently the number of shop volunteers is limited so there may be times/days when the shop will not be open – please bear with us and be patient.
Following a delivery last Thursday, the shop is well stocked... composts (inc. peat free), growbags and manure. We also have a good selection of onions and shallots. Due to poor weather, our main seed potato order is still in Scotland but hopefully it will be delivered within the next two weeks. We will let you know when it arrives.
Annual General Meeting
Those of you who have been members for some time will be aware that traditionally, the AGM takes place in the middle of January. Unfortunately, due to current Covid restrictions, that has not been possible this year. The main AGM agenda items are the presentation of accounts, the selection of Committee members and the acceptance of the annual rate of subscription.
I have viewed, and am happy with, the 2020 Balance Sheet which shows an excess of income over expenditure of £582.89; those current Committee members to whom I have spoken are content to continue, as am I.
At our last meeting, the Committee agreed to recommend that the 2021 subscription should remain the same as last year’s £4.50 (£3 of which goes directly to the NSALG).
Therefore, in the belief that there are no pressing/contentious issues to consider, your Committee has decided to postpone the AGM until late spring when hopefully, restrictions will have been eased - a date will be published later. (NB: It was suggested that the meeting could be held on Zoom but we decided to avoid this option if possible because Zoom meetings on a large scale are not easy to organise, not all members have internet access and of those who do, some are not familiar with Zoom technology.).
Aquind
Before Christmas, I gave ‘evidence’, on behalf of the Association, to the Planning Inspector investigating AQUIND’s application to install an underground cable across part of the Allotment site. The points I made were noted but the investigation is still ongoing, and it is unlikely that we will hear what the Inspector’s recommendation is before the spring. Throughout, Aquind has been adamant that horizontal tunnelling should have little or no effect on our plots. Watch this space!
Plot Inspections
Recently, I was made aware by a number of plot holders that following site visits, Ashley Humphreys, the Council Officer responsible for allotments, had been in contact with them either by letter or phone about the state of their allotments. This activity appeared to be in contravention of an agreement between myself that a Committee member would always be in attendance during inspections. I have spoken to Ashley and he assures me that what he was doing was not an inspection as such but rather an Audit of the site (apparently an exercise that has been conducted at all sites across the City).
No formal ‘Dirty Plot’ letters have been issued but he is becoming concerned about the number of plots that are not numbered, the amount of rubbish that is accumulating on some plots, the condition of structures such as huts etc and the blocking of footpaths. He has also received a number of complaints recently about people blocking the main paths with parked cars. Please take note. If any of this applies to you, please take appropriate action to remedy the situation.
Wind Turbine = Electricity + Defibrillator
Those who pass the shop regularly will have noticed that we now have a wind turbine fixed to the roof of the storage container. The turbine provides electricity to light the shop and, more importantly, electricity to maintain the minimum temperature required to ensure that the defibrillator, which is now fitted on the wall next to the shop door, remains operative during the cold winter months. The acquisition and installation of the defibrillator, turbine and associated equipment has been undertaken by Committee Member Bill Chatband and his colleague Mike both of whom have devoted much time to the project. Thank you Bill and Mike!
Onsite signage
At long last, and after a degree of persuasion, the Council recently replaced the signs attached to the site gates. At each main entrance one new sign has now replaced a number of very old, shabby signs that often repeated the same message – improving considerably the initial impression given on entering the site. To maintain this favourable impression, I would ask that only allotment related notices are attached to the gates and that they (and any associated string/ties) are removed completely as soon as they are no longer relevant.
Site security
Whilst on the subject of gates, I know that during the current pandemic some plot-holders have taken the view that, to reduce ‘unnecessary’ contact, the gates should be left open during the day. I and my fellow Committee members disagree with this strongly as it makes a mockery of the concept of a secure site. If you do not want to touch the gate with bare hands then the obvious solution is to wear a pair of gloves. I would ask everyone to abide by Council Policy and ensure that gates are kept locked at all times.
Rubbish!
Finally, a plea which we make regularly but which we are forever having to repeat. Please, please, please, do not leave any rubbish, old pallets/wood or unwanted items in the vicinity of the shop - or anywhere else on the site. Last November we had to pay £150 (two months trading profit) to have the wood dumped opposite the shop removed. If you don’t want something then the probability is that nobody else does either so please, take your rubbish home with you.
2021
Looking forward, and on the assumption that the vaccination programme is successful and is implemented in a timely manner, we intend to hold a plant sale in May and our annual show at the end of August. Dates will be confirmed later so please keep an eye on the noticeboards, website and our emails. Despite the Covid outbreak, last year was a relatively good growing year. Hopefully this year will be even better. The Committee and I hope that as many of you as possible get on to your allotments and take advantage of the many benefits that an allotment has to offer.
Take care,
Trevor Stark
Chairman
Eastney and Milton Allotment Association
Letter from Portsmouth City Council 20th November
All members should have received a letter with update of the representations they continue to make on behalf of members to the Government Planning Inspectorate with regards to 'affected persons', the Book of Reference and the ability to make representations at the planning hearings. A copy can be found below.
Additional Information
Due to the current Covid19 pandemic there are no more events currently planned for the rest of the year.
The onsite shop is open in line with Government and Portsmouth City Council Guidelines.
