September in the Free Gardens September in the Free Gardens There has definitely been a slight morning chill over the last couple of weeks. Autumn is on its way. Some bean supports have been toppled by heavy winds and rain recently and harvesting has begun in earnest. The towering sunflowers are leaning slightly and there are patches of brown earth where potatoes have been unearthed and carrots pulled. The freezers and store cupboards of many plotholders will already be groaning with chutneys, soups and fresh produce. Our socially distanced ‘social’ went ahead at the end of August and it was wonderful to gather and compare notes on the successes and not quite successes of the growing season despite the challenges many people have faced during lockdown. It was great, also, to see the recent primary school Harvest Café fundraiser receiving such support in some glorious Sunday morning sunshine. Allotmenting and gardening in general have certainly been a comfort and pleasure for many during the last few months – a combination of productive exercise, fresh air and the sheer enjoyment of producing home grown produce with a few seeds and some care and attention perhaps?
September is a brilliant time to start a new plot. If you think allotmenting might be for you, it’s good to take a stroll around the site – it’s easy at the moment to see what crops people have been growing and to see how plots are laid out. There are a number of ways to make a start but most methods can be adapted to suit the amount of time and energy any plotholder has available to spend. With home working becoming more commonplace, perhaps an allotment could be a great on-the-doorstep project to break up the routine of daily conference calls and spreadsheet fatigue. Whatever the reason for taking up a plot, there’s no time like the present, with the warm(ish) autumn days perfect for laying the foundations for some good growing in 2021. The Allotment Holders Group is independent of the Trustees of the Free Gardens who are responsible for the administration of the plots and the site. If you’d like an allotment, please contact Dave Butcher on 01249 720204. If you’d like more information about the Allotment Holders Group, please email Janice or Clare at gsallotmentholders@gmail.com. Janice Botterill & Clare Eaton
Rural Pre-Schoolwithin Seagry C of E Primary School offering a safe, stimulating environment for children aged 2-5years Experienced, well qualified staff •• High ratio of staff to children Large, secure outdoor learning area •• Child-initiated play & exploration Sharing space with Reception class,allowing for a seamless transition into school
Please contact Paula Jenkins, Pre-School Manager, to find out more & to arrange your visit Web: www.seagry-preschool.org
Tel: 01249 720213
Email: preschool.seagry@dbat.org.uk
Signpost October 2020
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