BRACKNELL HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION

WE ARE CHANGING!

2010-08-13T03:50:00.000-07:00

Following a successful merger consultation between the members of South Road Allotment Association and Bracknell Forest Gardening Club we are pleased to announce the creation of a new gardening organisation in Bracknell.

BRACKNELL HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION will meet for it's inaugural AGM on Wednesday 1st September, 7.30pm at Coopers Hill Community Centre in Bracknell town centre.

Our mission statement is:

Bracknell Horticultural Association is broad in its appeal and
exists to create a strong community identity for the benefit
of all gardeners.

We share a strong commitment and passion for horticultural activity
and our core objectives are:

To promote allotment and leisure gardening in Bracknell

To provide a range of services that are of material benefit to our members

To provide a focus for - and to engage with - the Bracknell community in all horticultural matters

To develop horticultural skills by utilising our members combined experience and knowledge

To represent the interests of all members

As a horticultural association embracing all gardeners in Bracknell it is important to consider some long term aims. As such we have identified the following as worthwhile goals to pursue.

The continuance and improvement of the seed and plant discount scheme

Establish a trading hut

Build the foundations of an annual horticultural show in Bracknell

Provision of a ‘tool bank’ offering larger items for hire (free to members)

This is by no means all we aim to do and are always open to ideas and suggestions.

SPRING 2010 UPDATES

2010-03-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Now that the growing season is well underway here are a few updates.

Firstly, there will be a quarterly meeting on Wednesday April 21 at the Pavilion, 7pm start. Any items for discussion should be forwarded in the usual manner.

Iain, Peter, and myself have been working through a grant application which will be discussed in more detail at the above meeting. We are seeking funding for a number of things to enable us to move forward as an organisation, and to help implemement the continued improvement of the South Road site - this funding, if received will go towards regular talks by horticultural lecturers, buying a petrol strimmer that members can borrow to keep their plots tidy, and the regular hire of a trailer to begin the planned acquisition of muck at the site.

Whilst going through a load of old pictures on the computer I found this beauty of the site in May 2007 - looking towards the old dump area.

Unfortunately this area is in danger of looking like this again. A priority for this season will be working with the council to label the bays up properly and to encourage all plot holders to dispose of items from their plots in a considerate and thoughtful manner.

The water should now be back on at the site - we will be looking at talking with Allan Moffat about ways that we can improve the water supply to all plots.

Please remember the LOCK IN, LOCK OUT message. With the regular turn over of plots it can be difficult to know who should be on the site. If they've got a key then it's a strong bet they're supposed to be there!

BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR

2009-12-30T11:51:00.001-08:00

It's been sometime since the blog was updated - many apologies for this. So how has 2009 been for you on the plot?

It's been a mixed year for the association. We've had some good successes such as the new school plot with the pupils from Wooden Hill Primary School; the dump area was transformed with the installation of the new bays for composting, woodchip, and manure; and we were once again asked to be a part of Bracknell in Bloom and meet the RHS judges. We also had our first guest speaker, Karen Liebreich, from Chiswick House Kitchen Garden who was very entertaining and informative.

There's also been the recurrence of vandalism at the site, but at least it's taken a bit more seriously by the police, and we've been able to work with Allan Moffat at Bracknell Town Council to keep on top of problem areas where the vandals have broken in.

There are some interesting ideas in the pipeine to sustain us through 2010, and we hope to be working closley with like-minded organisations to really create a bit of a scene in Bracknell.

Here's wishing all plot holders in Bracknell a prosperous and productive New Year.

AGM UPDATE

2009-07-05T05:33:00.001-07:00

Dear Membership

An update from Wednesday's AGM.

Iain Rillie, Peter Terry, and myself were elected for a second year as Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary respectively.

It was unanimously agreed that membership would be taken, for a one year trial, of the National Vegetable Society.

It was agreed by a majority that plot holders over 65's would receive free membership to the association, should they wish to become members.

It was agreed by a majority that new plot holders to South Road site would be offered free membership for the first year when they sign up for their tenancy.

It was unanimously agreed that the membership fee for 2009/2010 would be reduced to £7.

Fees are now due for membership. If you are taking advantage of the free membership then please let me know.

Depending on how you wish to make your payment you can either deliver cheques or cash to me, or by online payment to Natwest - please see recent emails and postings for further information.

If you use the online method can you please enter 'Fees (and your name)' under Payee Reference. This enables us to track who has made payments to the account.

In accordance with our Constitution - "5. Any member who is one month in arrears with his annual subscription shall be held to have ceased to be a member, unless explanation in writing is given to the Committee of extenuating circumstances"

Our guest speaker, Karen Liebreich from Chiswick House Kitchen Garden, gave a wonderful talk on her ongoing project at Chiswick House. This was so inspirational that a work party of members has been suggested to go along to one of the open days at the kitchen garden to help out with digging, planting etc.

Full minutes of the AGM will be published shortly.

Annual General Meeting.

2009-06-09T03:02:00.000-07:00

Notice is given of South Road (Bracknell) Allotment Associations' Annual General Meeting. Date is set for 1st July 2009 at Great Hollands Pavilion, 7pm prompt.

Agenda items must be submitted to the Secretary by midday Monday 29th June.

The posts of Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer will terminate and be open for election by candidates. Members wishing to stand must announce their candidacy to the Secretary prior to the meeting. Current holders of these posts are eligible to stand for re-election.

After the conclusion of Association business there will be a talk by Guest Speaker Keren Liebreich of Chiswick House Kitchen Garden.

For further information on Karen's work visit www.kitchengarden.org.uk

Quarterly Meeting Update - 4th March 2009

2009-03-06T08:18:00.000-08:00

A heartfelt thanks for everyone who turned out for the recent meeting. It was a really positive meeting with many issues discussed.

Our commitment to Bracknell In Bloom and the pupils of Wooden Hill Primary School was sealed - in no small part due to the passion of Inspector Mick Squire from Bracknell Police station. The pupils have just taken over plot 34 and will be working towards establishing a productive plot for future generations - the association will be helping out with that. This year the school is studying (in honour of its 70th anniversary) Dig For Victory.

There will also be a site-wide 'Best Plot' competition as a back drop to the children's efforts and is open to members and non members alike. As the site will be visited by the Britain In Bloom judges the aim is to really transform the site. The judging for this competition will be performed by...the pupils!

We have already received a commitment from Syngenta to contribute to the 'Best Plot' prize fund and hopefully more will follow.

It was also unanimously agreed that the executive would work towards securing guests to speak at future meetings, and secure links with allotment groups in Leverkusen, Germany, via the Twinning Association.

A detailed breakdown of the evenings business will follow via email shortly.

Remember the 'Lock In, Lock Out' message when attending the site.

As promised here is the number for Keith Matthews (aka Rainbow) who delivers manure to the site in exchange for a donation to the riding charity he runs - 07815 533004.

Quarterly Meeting

2009-02-11T04:14:00.000-08:00

A chilly Hi to you all - although things seem to be improving since I took the above picture at the site last week.

We have our next Quarterly meeting in March - Wednesday 4th at 7.00pm prompt. There will be refreshments for the duration and as usual proceedings are open to all plot holders.

We have some exciting things to report back on: the continuing regeneration of the 'dump area' that Allan and his team at the council are making headway with; there is more on a new Bracknell wide initiative undertaken by the Inspector at Thames Valley Police responsible for Neighbourhood policing - Mick Squire; and further discussions on the Associations support for the Britain in Bloom competition.

If anybody has any queries prior to the meeting then please feel free to contact me in the usual ways, similarly if somebody has a topic they wish to have on the agenda then contact me before Tuesday 3rd March, 12pm, with any supporting documentation.

T&M UPDATE: There are ongoing orders with Thompson & Morgan -I will be speaking with them this week to ascertain when we will be receiving the next tranche of products. Seed potato, onion sets, and garlic remain to be dispatched.

Coming Season Updates

2009-01-28T04:53:00.001-08:00

As we begin to head into the new growing season I have a few pieces of information.

Firstly a preliminary date of 4th March is being floated as the next quarterly meeting. This will be confirmed within the next week by update on our site notice boards. If there is any preferential date within that week you have I will be happy to reconsider - but you must let me know by next Wednesday 12 midday (4/2/09).

There are some interesting developments emerging for this year and these will be discussed at the meeting.

Currently we have further developments on site with the 'Dump' area gradually being transformed. Allan and his team have installed further steel fencing to de-lineate the new area. This process has resulted with an additional plot being available. It is hoped with other developments taking place that the Association will be able to take this plot on under our initiative to engage younger generations.

Allan's team have also been busy with the anti-vandal paint and now the tops of the fencing, uprights, and gate posts have been coated. It is hoped this will further help deter would be trespassers.

Any news or suggestions you may have is more than welcome.

Upcoming Meetings

2008-11-12T01:47:00.000-08:00

Over the next few weeks the Association has two meetings lined up.

The first one is the Allotment Association - Town Council Liaison Meeting on Tuesday 18th November, at 6.15pm. This meeting is held as a chance for the Association Committee and the Town Council to catch up and discuss matters prior to the Leisure & Amenities Committee meeting at 7pm the same evening.

If any member has a matter they would like discussed then please contact the Secretary in the usual fashion.

The second meeting is the quarterly meeting of the Association at Great Hollands Pavilion - 3rd December at 7pm prompt. This informal get together is a chance for members to catch up and air their concerns about all things related to allotment gardening, as well as having a bit of a natter and grabbing some home made cakes and a cup of tea. Non-member plot holders are also welcome, to see what the Association is all about and the kind of work we are involved in, and they can contribute to the discussions but unfortunately are not able to vote.

Hope to see you as many of you as can make it.

Work underway on regeneration of 'dump' area

2008-11-11T03:04:00.000-08:00

Now that the autumn season is well underway Allan Moffat and his team have been busy with clearing the 'dump' area ready for the installation of the sleeper style bins. It is planned that these bins will be used for storing compostable waste, wood chip, manure, and off-site waste such as pernicious weeds like couch grass, bindweed, and mares tail.

As you can tell from the picture the steel fencing has already been installed, replacing the old chestnut palings that existed previously, and which had begun to prove hazardous to plot holders nearby.

The Committee will be discussing the the plans for installation shortly, and have a liaison meeting with the Town Clerk next week - Tuesday 18th November at 6.15pm. If anyone has any issues that they wish to be raised then please let the Secretary know before that date.

A last quick point - the perennial issue of gates at the site - they are not being closed or locked by plot holders. I imagine that all members are adhering to this but please consider challenging anyone who is not following common sense, and ask them to close and lock the gates behind them when entering and leaving the site. This ensures that only those who are meant to be on site can access the allotment, and helps prevent theft or criminal damage from everyone's plot.

Contact details as usual are sr.allotments@gmail.com or 07923521874 for the Secretary.

Quarterly Meeting

2008-09-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

This coming Wednesday (10th September) brings us to our next quarterly meeting. Once again the venue is Great Hollands Pavillion, with a start at 7pm prompt.

There will be updates on resolutions agreed upon at the last meeting, aswell as feedback on the occassional meetings Iain and I have held with Mary and Allan Moffat.

You will recall that at the last meeting it was agreed that Becky Maxwell would stand as interim Treasurer for a 3 month period. Peter Terry has kindly nominated himself to take over this important role, with the formalities taking place on Wednesday.

Please remember to contact me direct beforehand if you are unable to make the meeting so that I can log your apologies.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Wednesday.

Andrew

Update from meeting with Town Council - 15.07.2008

2008-07-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Following Tuesday's meeting between the Chair, Secretary, Town Clerk (Mary Harris) and Allan Moffat, we can report that:

1) Work on tackling broken fencing and over-hanging branches is made a priority.
2) Further scheduled work is planned on the clearing of the 'dump' area.
3) The council are introducing a new monitoring system with the aim of removing tenants of neglected plots more swiftly than before.
4) A long term project, led by Allan Moffat and his team, will begin to reinstate paths between plots to a minimum of 500mm.
5) Galvanized steel fencing is to be installed between the 'dump' area and the nearest adjacent plots - replacing the dilapidated chestnut palings.

Further information, and minutes from the meeting, will be made available shortly.