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UPDATE FROM THE COMMITTEE
Looking back on 2021
2021 was the second year dominated by COVID. Thankfully, our members have generally remained healthy, and hopefully will continue to do so. Most of our plots have continued to be well tended as other leisure options have been subject to restrictions. Our waiting list for plots continues to grow as others have developed an interest in leisure gardening.
Our AGM was cancelled during 2021 (for the second year in succession) but we are hoping to run this as normal during 2022.
Thankfully, we were able to host the summer barbecue which was well attended. Once again the food, drink and company was appreciated by all – with members bringing a selection of salads and Mediterranean delights to supplement the on-site cooking. Many thanks to Peter, Sue and Dave for stepping up to the grill. Thomas surrendered his crown as Christine Smith won our giant pumpkin competition.
The LAA WhatsApp chat group continues to grow in membership and has become a good way of keeping in touch with fellow gardeners. If you would like to join the group you can ask your site rep to add you to the group or use the following link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KtnsyXg91deAZygPjuDStT. Please remember to use email (rather than WhatsApp) to contact the Committee and don’t share WhatsApp details with non-members.
In terms of facilities, the past year has seen further deliveries of pallets and wood chippings, which have been well received. Major tree pruning work has been undertaken at both sites (which has resulted in further wood chippings being available to members.
Both the LAA shop and the Kings Seed scheme were well patronised and the move to monthly opening on a Saturday with touchless payment has proved highly successful.
The finances of the Association remain healthy, and we are open to suggestions from all members for any ideas on how we might use some of our funds for the benefit of all. Please get in touch if you have any thoughts.
previous UPDATEs FROM THE COMMITTEE
December 2021
Annual General Meeting: Having been forced to cancel for the past two years because of Covid, we are hoping to hold our first AGM during spring 2022. This is an opportunity for all our members to: hear about plans for the Association; to voice your own thoughts on how to enhance our Association; and to socialise with fellow allotment holders. Once a date and venue are arranged further details will be communicated to all our members.
Tree Pruning: A number of fruit trees on individual plots at both of our sites are now excessively large, to the point where they are casting a considerable shadow over neighbouring plots (which is why we insist that all new fruit trees must be on a dwarf root stock).
Also, some of the trees around the car park at Broadwater are now restricting the availability of parking spaces.
As such, we feel that it is necessary to get in tree professionals to conduct a major reduction of selected trees in the next couple of months. Normally, maintenance of fruit trees situated on plots is the responsibility of (and hence cost for) the respective plot-holder. However, as an exception, the bill for this reduction will be met from Association funds.
Once Council permission has been obtained, it is hoped to carry out the work before the end of the year. However, plot-holders having a tree (or trees) on their plot due for reduction will be consulted before any such work is undertaken.
Digswell Water Pump: The pump and its controls have been replaced at the Digswell site so, from the start of the next growing season, tanks should automatically refill as normal.
Water Supplies: These have been turned off at both sites to reduce the risk of frost damage over winter. The water supplies will be restored in the spring, ahead of the next growing season.
Shop at Digswell: The shop is now closed for the winter and will re-open in early spring 2022.
Kings Seed Scheme: Orders have now been placed for the Kings Seeds which has been very well patronised by our Members. As usual, seeds will be with us before Christmas, and potatoes by the end of January. Thanks again to Barbara Wilton for her work in managing the Scheme for us.
September 2021
Summer Barbecue – The 2021 Summer BBQ took place on 12 September at the Digswell site. The event was well attended and we have a new winner of the annual prize for the largest pumpkin – congratulations to Christine Smith.
The Association would like to express its thanks to Peter, Sue and Dave for again stepping up to the grill. We are sure that everyone greatly enjoyed the food and the day.
Digswell – The pump on the water tank and associated controls were replaced during September – hopefully water should now be available whenever it’s needed.
An Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar was spotted Digswell over the summer – these grow to lengths of more than 80mm and are one of the UK’s largest caterpillars.
Broadwater – We have arranged for plumbers to repair the tanks (leaky pipe to the northernmost tank and adjustment to float valve on the southernmost tank).
August 2021
Committee Membership - Annette Bloor had stepped down from the Committee. At its last meeting our Chair registered a vote of thanks to her for her valuable time on the Committee.
Summer Barbecue – Please join us at the 2021 Summer BBQ at the Digswell site on Sunday 12th September from 1pm. Burgers, sausages, vege-burgers and hot/soft drinks will be provided but please bring salad, fruit/dessert, cake, wine etc. to share with others, as well as crockery and cutlery for your own use. The cost is £6.00 per adult, £3 for a child, or £20.00 for a family of two adults and up to 4 children. Payments can be made (before Friday 30thAugust) via site reps, committee members or at the Digswell Shop on opening days. We look forward to seeing you there!
LAA WhatsApp Group – If you would like to join the Association’s WhatsApp group please ask your site rep to add you to the circulation list.
Security: Options for security cameras are being looked into for the Digswell site. If a cost-effective solution can be found it will be implemented and, if successful, could also be implemented at Broadwater.
Digswell – There is a problem with the water pump at the site. We are expecting a new one to be installed within the next few weeks.
Future work parties will be scheduled to coincide with shop openings, with the next one taking place on Saturday 14th August.
Broadwater – The site inspection is complete and only a few plots are of concern – those plot-holders will receive notification shortly.
JUNE 2021
Summer Barbecue – The 2021 Summer BBQ will take place on Sunday 12th September - 1pm, at the Digswell site, Brockswood Lane. Please come along to enjoy the food and drink, meet old friends and make some new ones.
Membership Subscriptions – All members have paid their annual subscriptions with record numbers of plot holders paying on-line. A big thank you to all members for your prompt payment. The subscription includes membership of the National Allotment Society which brings a range of benefits to all our members.
LAA WhatsApp Group: - The WhatsApp group has been an enormous success with members receiving notifications of woodchip deliveries, sharing plants, and offering or receiving advice on our crops. If you haven’t joined yet you can scan this QR code using the camera icon within WhatsApp.
Digswell – Health and safety inspections have been undertaken at the site and found to be generally in good order. Particular progress was observed with regard to those members keeping hens and the response to the recent avian flu outbreak
Broadwater – Plot inspections are getting underway as we move into the growing season.
Woodchip Deliveries - Members are encouraged to make use of the deliveries of woodchip to both sites over recent weeks.
APRIL 2021
Health and Safety Inspections – The next inspections will be undertaken during April. Please take care to ensure that your plots are safe and tidy– e.g. that there are no trip hazards and any broken glass is removed from plots. There is evidence of rat holes at some parts of our sites so please try and control their presence by blocking runs, regularly turning compost heaps, and restricting discarded fruit and vegetable to compost bins/heaps.
Membership Subscriptions – A big thank you to those of you who have renewed their subscriptions. Reminders will be sent out over the next week or two for the few remaining unpaid membership fees.
AGM/Barbecue Update – Details of arrangements for our Annual General Meeting and the Association’s barbecue are subject to the easing of Lockdown restrictions and we hope to be able to announce firm plans by the end of May.
The Shop – There was a good day of trading when on the shop’s first day of the year: Saturday 20th March, with members making use of contactless payments including iZettle. A price list was sent to those members who have supplied email addresses in advance so that members were aware of the range available. Contact Details - If you have changed email address or are not receiving email updates from the Association please send your latest contact details to us at email@longcroftallotmentassociation.org.uk.
Digswell – There was a strong turnout for the working party on 3 April which cleared the former ‘cat-shed’. This generated unwanted items that are now piled up outside the shed - help yourself if any items are of use.
Broadwater – A Muntjac deer recently found its way to the site from the railway embankment border - thank you to those who helped to escort it off the premises.
New Members – No new members have recently joined but our waiting lists are continuing to grow.
February 2021
Coronavirus continues to affect us and we encourage members work their allotments during the lockdown, either alone or with members of their families/household, observing social distancing and good hand hygiene when working plots and when using the locks when entering/ leaving the site.
Although unable to yet confirm dates, we are optimistic about the prospect of holding an Annual General Meeting later in the year along with our main social event - the summer barbecue.
The existing committee members have confirmed that they are all willing to continue to perform their roles.
Annual Subscriptions: invoices for the 2021/22 season’s subscriptions and rent will be sent out to Members at the beginning of March together with payment details. The cost of the sub and rent remains unchanged, and that prompt payment would be much appreciated, ideally by bank transfer.
Digswell: Pruning has been undertaken at the site over the winter.
Broadwater: The replacement roof has been fitted to the shed.
Woodchip Deliveries: there have been deliveries of woodchip to both sites over recent week with further deliveries expected in February.
End of Year Message from our Chair - December 2020
As we approach the end of this very strange (and in some ways forgettable..) year, I would like to summarise LAA-related events over that time and look forward to 2021.
Of course, the picture is dominated by COVID. Thankfully, the great majority of our members have remained healthy, and hopefully will continue to do so. Most of us have also been able to enjoy our allotments to the full - a great source of comfort, especially during the lock-down periods. This can be seen in both our sites, which have never been so well tended, and in our waiting list for plots, which has never been so long!
Two casualties of the pandemic for our Association were the cancellation of both the AGM and the summer barbeque. Both are highly sociable, fun events and we look forward to being able to run these as normal in the coming year. In terms of virtual ‘getting together,’ we did launch the LAA WhatsApp chat group, which has been well used, so I would encourage all Members to join in.
For our giant pumpkin competition, Thomas Markatopoulos again produced the goods, with his winning pumpkin weighing in at a hefty 200 kg, something that made the local newspaper! He has plans for even bigger and better in 2021, so we hope that other Members are able to step up and provide some healthy competition.
In terms of facilities, the past year has seen quite some improvements at the Broadwater site, with work carried out on the front gate and perimeter fencing, as well as the addition of a fourth water tank. Most recently, the mower shed has been strengthened and received a new roof, all funded by the Council. We have also arranged more regular deliveries of pallets and wood chippings, which has been well received.
At the Digswell site, work-parties cleared several badly overgrown areas. In addition, we have sub-divided several large (7 pole) plots, creating three new allotments for people on the waiting list.
The LAA shop has also been well patronised, despite lock-down constraints. Moving to a monthly opening on a Saturday has concentrated demand from our Members and helped us with stock management. The new touchless payment facility has also been welcomed, with very few transactions now made using cash. The intention is to continue this approach next year, opening once a month during the growing season (apart from April, when we will likely open twice). A list of opening dates for the shop will be published early in the new year.
I am pleased to report that the finances of the Association remain in good shape, despite spending money this year on the new water tank, as well as skip hire, mower upkeep etc. If you have ideas for how we might use some of our funds for the benefit of our Members, please get in touch.
I would like to express my thanks to the LAA Committee, as well as a number of other Members, who have worked hard for the common good over the year. In particular, to Helen McLean who decided to relinquish the roles of Shop Manager and Digswell site representative at the beginning of 2020. In both roles Helen has made a major contribution to the LAA and we owe her a great debt of gratitude.
In summary, I think that for most of us having an allotment has provided an enjoyable and safe haven over what has been a very difficult year. Hopefully, the new vaccines will see us back to some sort of normality in the first half of 2021. Spring is a time of renewal, so bring on those green shoots!
Meanwhile, I would like to wish you and your families a Happy Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
Andrew
November 2020
2020 Pumpkin Competition: Thomas Markatopoulos has repeated his success of last year and grown the Association's largest pumpkin of 2020. The seeds for the pumpkin, and all others used in this year's competition, were saved from the previous winning pumpkin. The variety is Atlantic Giant which can produce specimens of more than 1,000kg!
Water Supplies: These have been turned off at both sites to reduce the risk of frost damage over winter. The water supplies will be restored in the spring, ahead of the next growing season.
Shop at Digswell: Next year we plan to open the shop once in March, twice in April and then once monthly until October, with dates announced and a rota in place from the beginning of the season.
Broadwater: The Council has funded the repair to the walls and the addition of a new roof to the communal shed. Work started on Monday, 26th October and was completed by the following week.
Digswell: Site/plot inspections have been completed.
July 2020
Annual Barbecue: Subject to coronavirus restrictions permit, we still hope to hold our annual barbecue in September. If and when this happens we will set the date and update members of any arrangements.
LAA WhatsApp Group: A WhatsApp group has been set up for LAA members across both sites to allow members to communicate without having to go through the committee. If you would like to join the group you can you can ask your site rep to add you to the group.
Two important points:
- Use email, rather than WhatsApp, to contact the Committee.
- Don’t share this with non-member.
Broadwater: The mower shed has suffered some ground movement, resulting in damage to the roof. Its repair is scheduled for the end of July.
Digswell: The next work party will be held on 25 July from 09:30-12:00. Please lend a hand if you can.
July 2020
Annual Barbecue: Subject to coronavirus restrictions permit, we still hope to hold our annual barbecue in September. If and when this happens we will set the date and update members of any arrangements.
LAA WhatsApp Group: A WhatsApp group has been set up for LAA members across both sites to allow members to communicate without having to go through the committee. If you would like to join the group you can you can ask your site rep to add you to the group.
Two important points:
- Use email, rather than WhatsApp, to contact the Committee.
- Don’t share this with non-member.
Broadwater: The mower shed has suffered some ground movement, resulting in damage to the roof. Its repair is scheduled for the end of July.
Digswell: The next work party will be held on 25 July from 09:30-12:00. Please lend a hand if you can.
May 2020
Coronavirus – We are recommending that our members follow National Allotment Society (NAS) guidance as summarised below. We will be monitoring their advice and updating our web-pages if this changes.
Longcroft Allotment Association members can work their allotments during the Coronavirus (Covid19) lockdown - either alone or with members of their families/household. Members should practice good hand hygiene when working your plot and when using the locks when entering and leaving the site, and maintain a social distance of 2-3 metres from other members.
The toilet facility at Broadwater and the toilet/kitchen facility at Digswell have also been closed until further notice.
Allotments are a means of getting exercise as recommended by the government (and for obtaining food during this crisis). Government Ministers suggest that an hour’s walk is reasonable and have asked us all to limit time spent outside the home. The NAS believes that an hour or two is reasonable to undertake the jobs that need doing for that day and then to return home.
Do not attend the plot if you have Coronavirus symptoms or a family member is self-isolating.
Please ensure that children visiting our sites are closely supervised by the plot-holder, in order that everyone observes proper social-distancing rules.
National Allotment Society (NAS) guidance is available from: https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information/
Additional information about staying safe on the allotment is provided by BBC Gardener's World Magazine: https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/coronavirus-can-i-still-go-to-the-allotment/
Waiting Lists – This currently stands at fourteen for Digswell and ten for Broadwater. No plots are currently available at either site.
AGM Update – IWe are hoping to hold the AGM later in the folling its cancellation in March due to Coronavirus.
The Shop - In view of the Coronavirus spread and out of respect for the health of both customers and helpers, we feel it appropriate to close the LAA Digswell shop until the situation returns to normal.
March 2020
Waiting Lists – There are currently eighteen people on the waiting list for plots with ten queuing for the Digswell site and eight at Broadwater. No plots are currently available at either site.
AGM Update – In the light of the growing concern and uncertainty over the spread of the Coronavirus, the AGM, due to be held on Wednesday 18th March was postponed. We will look to hold this event later in the year, once the situation has normalised.
Pumpkin Competition - We will be repeating the LAA competition to nurture the largest pumpkin, as judged at our September BBQ. Thomas Markatopoulos has kindly saved seeds from his prize-winning 'Atlantic Giant' pumpkin. These are available from the Digswell shop this Sunday and next. However, as with other items these days, seeds will be limited to a maximum of three per person. If you would like to have a go but cannot make it to the shop, please contact Helen McLean or Andrew Hepher.
The Shop - In view of the Coronavirus spread and out of respect for the health of both customers and helpers, we feel it appropriate to close the LAA Digswell shop until the situation returns to normal. However, we also appreciate that this is approaching peak demand time for supplies of compost, manure etc. Given this, we will open the shop on Sunday 22nd and 29th March, from 09.30 - 12.30. After this, the shop will close for an indefinite period.
Digswell – Thanks are due to Thomas Markatapoulos has erected a wishing well over the cess pit – see News Item.
Plot markers needed to be repainted and it was agreed that this could be done at the next work party.
It was noted that the gate to the site requires adjusting, which will be arranged.
Broadwater – The additional water tank at Broadwater was installed in February and is ready to use for the coming growing season. A cover will be fitted over the coming weeks.
A skip will be delivered to the site later this year – watch this space.
If any of our Broadwater members have thoughts on ways to help increase their use of the shop at Digswell please send ideas to Andrew Hepher, LAA Chair, at email@longcroftallotmentassociation.org.uk.
January 2020
Water supplies to tanks – these have been isolated to prevent frost damage to pipework over winter.
Quotes for an additional water tank at Broadwater have been obtained by the Committee and permission has been obtained from the council to install it – members can look forward to improved availability of supplies for future growing seasons.
Digswell – It is provisionally planned that the trees on the eastern boundary and it was suggested that this could be undertaken at the next work party when loppers and an extendable saw would be brought along.
Broadwater – The gate has now been repaired and an adjacent section of fence which was damaged has now been fixed with adjacent foliage trimmed to prevent the recurrence of damage
November 2019
"The Shed" - The shop closed at the end of September for the winter and will re-open in March.
Digswell – Attendance at the most recent work party was rather small, but most of the jobs had been carried out.
Tree work on the eastern boundary needed to be completed satisfactorily, and rabbits had been seen on the site and any holes in the boundary would need attention.
Broadwater – The Association had received a complaint via the Council from a neighbour whose garden backed onto onto the site in relation to overgrown plants which were climbing their fence and beginning to invade the garden. The issue was addressed by a work party which was called at short notice.
Also we are experiencing problems with the gate and are in discussions with the Council about resolving this.
Water supplies - these have now been shut off at both sites to reduce the risk of frost damage over winter.
October 2019
Summer Barbecue - More than fifty people gathered for our annual BBQ on 8th September 2019 at the Digswell site. Blessed with good weather everyone enjoyed the food prepared by our regular BBQ-gurus Peter and Sue, as well as various other items brought by those attending.
Overall a great day, to be repeated in 2020.
2019 Pumpkin Competition - a highlight of the barbecue was the award of the "Largest Pumpkin 2019" trophy. This went to Thomas Markatopoulos, who produced the two largest specimens, the biggest having a girth of 157cm! The results announcement was live-streamed to Thomas in Greece, while the award was presented to his wife Anna.
Anglia in Bloom - Longcroft Allotment Association has been judged the winner of Anglia in Bloom's "Grow Your Own" category. This is a great testament to the Association. Judges visited our Digswell site in late June and the results were announced at the Anglia in Bloom award ceremony held on 10 September.
Digswell –Unfortunately the event was preceded a break-in at the Digswell site one Saturday night. After cutting through the padlock on the front gate the thieves opened several of the doors in the buildings. While the shop door wasn't forced, the mower shed was opened and all the contents taken. In addition, some of the individual plot-holder sheds were opened.
Broadwater – Several pallets were delivered to site early in October to be converted to compost bins, raises beds, etc. There is also still some woodchip available at the corner of the car park – all potholders are welcome to help themselves. Summer Barbecue - More than fifty people gathered for our annual BBQ on 8th September 2019 at the Digswell site. Blessed with good weather everyone enjoyed the food prepared by our regular BBQ-gurus Peter and Sue, as well as various other items brought by those attending.
Overall a great day, to be repeated in 2020.
2019 Pumpkin Competition - a highlight of the barbecue was the award of the "Largest Pumpkin 2019" trophy. This went to Thomas Markatopoulos, who produced the two largest specimens, the biggest having a girth of 157cm! The results announcement was live-streamed to Thomas in Greece, while the award was presented to his wife Anna.
Anglia in Bloom - Longcroft Allotment Association has been judged the winner of Anglia in Bloom's "Grow Your Own" category. This is a great testament to the Association. Judges visited our Digswell site in late June and the results were announced at the Anglia in Bloom award ceremony held on 10 September
Digswell –Unfortunately the event was preceded a break-in at the Digswell site one Saturday night. After cutting through the padlock on the front gate the thieves opened several of the doors in the buildings. While the shop door wasn't forced, the mower shed was opened and all the contents taken. In addition, some of the individual plot-holder sheds were opened.
Broadwater – Several pallets were delivered to site early in October to be converted to compost bins, raises beds, etc. There is also still some woodchip available at the corner of the car park – all potholders are welcome to help themselves.
August 2019
Summer Barbecue - The 2019 Summer BBQ will take place on Sunday 8th September from 12:30. Please join us at the Digswell site for our summer event.
Burgers, sausages, vege-burgers and tea/coffee/soft drinks will be provided, but as always please bring salad, fruit/dessert, cake, wine etc. to share with others, as well as crockery and cutlery for your own use.
The cost is £5.00 per adult, £2.50 for a child, or £16.00 for a family of two adults and up to 4 children
Please RSVP with payment to any Committee member or at the Digswell Shop on Sunday mornings by Friday 30th August.
Kings Seed Catalogue – The Kings Seed catalogues for 2019/20 Broadwater Shed, the Digswell kitchen and also from the Shop on Sunday mornings. All the information you need to complete your order is provided in the inside front cover of the Catalogue. Completed order forms should completed by 27 October 2019 and returned either to Barbara Wilton at her Quadrangle address, or to the Shop at the Digswell site. These are then sent in as a bulk order, thereby giving us a better discount.
Meeting with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council - Andrew Hepher (Chair of the LAA) met with representatives of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council during August. The main points that came out of the meeting were:
- It was agreed to trim back the trees at Digswell on the eastern boundary (adjacent to the golf course) and to selectively prune the oak trees affecting plots to the east of the gate
- The trees over-reaching the shop/kitchen roof will be cut back
- The council will investigate the tree/wind damage to the fence at Broadwater and determine any action required
Broadwater – There is still some woodchip available at the corner of the car park – all potholders are welcome to help themselves.
Digswell – The next Work Parties is scheduled for Saturday 7 September starting at 9:30– please help out if you can so the site is at its best for the barbecue.
Rabbits have been seen on site and the boundaries will be inspected to see if there are any gaps in the fencing that require repair.
June 2019
Summer Barbecue - The 2019 Summer BBQ will take place on Sunday 8th September - 1pm, at the Digswell site, Brockswood Lane. Come along meet old friends and make some new ones.
Broadwater – The loose posts on the boundary fence were repaired towards the end of March. We’ve also had a second delivery of wood chip to the site.
Digswell – The next Work Parties is scheduled for Saturday 29 June – please help out if you can. We’d like to prepare the site for the Anglia in Bloom visit.
Anglia in Bloom – WHBC if the Association would be prepared to include our Digswell site as part of the Council's entry for Anglia in Bloom, a challenge we have willingly accepted!
Anglia in Bloom is part of the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society’s) Britain in Bloom competition - a campaign/competition to encourage the improvement of our surroundings through imaginative planting and landscaping.
This will be the second year that WHBC has entered the competition, and the first time it will have included an allotment site. Judging will take place on July 9th or 10th, so we have an opportunity p present the site at its best during the community work party planned for Saturday June 29th (9.30-12.30).