The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
@ S KG AS
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter Winter 2013
From the chairman Thirteen is an unlucky number, or so it is said, and as a year, 2013 has brought mixed blessings. It started off with a very late spring after a three hard cold spells with plenty of snow. This had a profound effect upon everyone’s growing season. Last year, apple farmers in Essex lost nearly all their harvest to an early frost and torrential downpours. This year, they received a bumper crop. I don’t know about you, but I had mixed results from my plot this year. Spuds were good, but for me, onions, garlic, and tomatoes were poor. Cucurbits were so-so, whereas runner bean – which we always struggle with on our plot – were abundant. However, this has truly been a season of soft fruit. Not only have we enjoyed a bumper crop of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, tayberries and currants of differing hues, but they just didn’t stop. We were even picking raspberries up to the first week of December. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you what that will mean for 2014. With any luck, spring will come on time, the weather will be dry enough to get
our spuds in March and the frosts will finish and not come back for another bite at our tender buds. The rest we can deal with, either with waterproofs or suncream and our water tanks. As we head into the new year, we must begin planning for the future. Our AGM will be in April, (date and venue to be notified separately) and I urge you to attend, as this is where we sort out the structure of the society for 2014. So, if there’s something you don’t like or you’d like to get more involved with your society – and I do mean YOUR society, as you have to be a member to get a plot – let us know. We will mourn the loss of Alan Hooker (see obituary inside), and therefore we must appoint a new president. All other officer roles will be open to nomination, so if you fancy taking part, you’ll be more than welcome. Even if you don’t want to be an officer of the society, we desperately need members to help us run the show, so please, if you think you can lend an occasional hand or help out in some way, let your stewards or a member of the committee know how you can help. In the meantime, have a good Christmas and I’ll see you in the new year. Pádraig Floyd Chair, SKGAS
Important - new plot rental payment date In January 2014 members will be charged only three-quarters of the normal rental payment and membership fee, to cover the period until the end of September 2014. From 1st October 2014 the Society will permanently switch to an annual rental period that runs from 1st October to 30th September. 1
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Allotment Garden Festival Sunday September 1st 2013 Goodmayes Lane site
For a seventh consecutive year, many people enjoyed visiting the Goodmayes Lane allotments. The hard work of organising our largest ever number of community and environmental-themed stalls was rewarded with a sunny and successful afternoon. Many thanks to all those members who helped before, during and after the day, without which an event like this would not be possible. Special thanks to lead organiser Sue Cunningham, who once again put in a huge amount of effort over several months.
Upstreet Morris dancers.
Allotment produce on display.
Crowds relax and enjoy the entertainment.
There was plenty for visitors to see...
Eastbury Concert Band in action.
... and plenty of things for them to buy.
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The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Allotment produce and home-made jam for sale.
Steam engine rides were a popular attraction. All photographs Š Roger Backhouse. The allotment shop al-fresco.
Strawberries and cream were sold out!
The vegetable auction is always an enjoyable part of the afternoon.
Trading huts ready for 2014 Both trading huts will be well stocked to meet members’ needs. Composts, fertilizers and sundry gardening aids are already on the shelves. Suppliers of the most popular seed potatoes will be available in 3kg bags at both Vicarage Lane and Goodmayes; main crop varieties Cara and Desiree with Pentland Javelin and Charlotte as earlies. In addition, Vicarage Lane will have Rocket, Kerrs Pink, King Edward, Maris Peer and Romana, while Goodmayes has Kestrel and Marfona. Three varieties of onion
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sets: Sturon, Stuttgarter Giant and Red Baron, together with Golden Gourmet Shallots will be available at both huts. A good selection of seeds will be on sale at both huts. If you do not find an item you want in your nearest trading hut tell the volunteers who man the huts every Sunday morning. It may be available at the other hut (Peter Trimby and I frequently transfer items requested from one to another as required). Paul Dye, Trading Secretary
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Area 5 ‘Our Community’ Festival 7th July 2013, Barley Lane recreation ground The society was represented at the Area 5 festival in the summer. Area 5 Committee has generously supported the allotment society over the past few years, so it was good to support their event and raise the profile of our own society at the same time. £57 was raised for our funds through sales of plants and items from the trading hut. Many thanks to all who donated plants and to all those who gace up their time on the day to set up, man the stall, and clear up afterwards.
Coach outing to RHS Wisley On Saturday 10th August a coachload of society members and friends visited the RHS garden at Wisley. It was a lovely day, enjoyed by all and the weather was so good we were still eating ice creams just before setting off for home. Many thanks once again to John and Pat Barber for their meticulous organisation which meant everything went smoothly on the day. The long border at Wisley.
2nd Macmillan Fund Raiser - Sunday 29th September 2013 Hi, as you can see above we held our second Tea and Coffee event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. I am so happy to say that those of you who came along and supported our afternoon raised a fantastic £423.26. This has been sent to Macmillan to help their on-going provision of care and support to those battling cancer and their loved ones by their side. I would like to thank everyone who came along, donated and bought cake and refreshments and participated in the raffle and coffee bean competition. Huge thanks to all of you that helped to set-up the event; stood and served tea, coffee and cake; fetched water for the urn; and then took everything down
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after. So all concerned should give themselves a pat on the back for giving their time to help someone in need. See you in 2014! Marian Hogg
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Alderman Clark Cup 2013 (best allotment)
Plot
Name
Score (0ut of 100)
86 BR 10 WRS 36 Gm 74 BR 160 Gm 67 Gm 68,69 Gm 82 Gm 27 VLS 140 Gm 21 VLS 16a, 15b, 32 VLS 95b Gm 13a VLS 23 VLS 28b VLS 2 VLS 58a GM 134a Gm 5b VLS 6 VLS 16b WRS 61a BR
Sancha Noronha (Joint winner) Brian Jeffreys (Joint winner) Susan Cunningham (3rd) Karnail Banwait (Runner-up) John Hale (Runner-up) Ed Oliver (Highly commended) John Mackin (Highly commended) Susan Adams (Highly commended) Peter Southern (Highly commended) Sheila Nisbet (Highly commended) Herbie Pursue (Highly commended) Roger Backhouse (Highly commended) Zak Bickhan (Highly commended) Patricia Stuart (Highly commended) Bernard Crowe Avtar Heer (Chatting Cup winner for best new starter) Steve Willingham (new starter) Francesco Cillini Jed Lee Lisa Hearson Laurence Croll Andrea Licorish Andrea Licorish (new starter)
99 99 97 95 94.5 94 94 94 94 93 93 92 90.5 90.5 89 86 83 83 75 75 68 66 65
Plots were judged on Monday 8th July. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all those who entered. Special thanks to Malcolm Kennedy for judging and to Chris Goreham for chauffeuring. Cups and certificates will be presented at the AGM in 2014. It would be great to see you there.
Alderman Clark Cup – previous winners Newer members may not know that the Alderman Clark cup for the society’s best allotment has been awarded since 1933. Apart from the war years, there have been remarkably few occasions when the competition has not taken place. Relatively few members get to see the trophy, so the names engraved upon it are transcribed below: 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956
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L.E. Sims G A. Riches V F.K. Fisher B J. H. Priestman V A. R. Waylett B A. R. Waylett B A. Riches V A. Riches V A. Riches V R.J. Wood B G.A. Gasson A T. Crichton A T. Crichton A F. Marlow A W.J. Waller G A. Allen A A. Allen A
1957 1958 1960 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
R.J. Wood B L.I. Suckling B F.W. Begner A F.W. Begner A R. Wood B W.J. Waller G A.S. Ward G W. Silcock W A.C. Everitt W E.J. Porter A H.J. Saunders G A.C. Everitt W A.C. Everitt W A. Pryke G A. Pryke G G.S. Jackson WRS G.S. Jackson WRS A. Pryke G
1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
G.S. Jackson WRS G.S. Jackson WRS A. Cope G J. Homans G J. Homans G G.S. Jackson WRS G.S. Jackson WRS J. Homans G G.S. Jackson WRS E. Bland G D. Ambury G E. Bland G F.J. Daniels B Mrs S. Cunningham VLS Mrs S. Cunningham VLS Mrs S. Davidson J. Jarvis N. Zacharia
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Mrs C. O’Connor J.L. Reynolds F. Shipman J. Jarvis J. Snelling & G. Snelling J. Jarvis Mr & Mrs G. Snelling K. Banwait Mr & Mrs G. Snelling Mr & Mrs G. Snelling Mrs D. Long Mr & Mrs M. Zacharia P. Trimby B. Jeffreys Mrs S. Noronha/K. Banwait M. Oliver T. Procopiou/K. Banwait S. Noronha/ B. Jeffreys
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Society business Bonfire ban There seems to be a misconception that during the period of the bonfire ban it is acceptable to have a bonfire in a metal container. Such fires are not allowed due to the risk of grass fires, complaints of smoke from neighbouring houses, and the constraints of our insurance policy. Please note that bonfires are banned on all our sites between 1st June and 30th September.
Viewing the newsletter online This newsletter, along with the previous five editions, is available to view on-screen in colour at www.issuu.com/skgas We would like as many members as possible to view future newsletters online to save printing and postage costs which have again increased recently. If we do not have your email, or if you have recently changed your email address, please send your details to e.s.oliver@hotmail.co.uk
Wards Road north site steward needed The Wards Road north site has been without a steward in 2013. If anyone who has a plot there would like to volunteer for the job please get in touch with Padraig Floyd (psafloyd@yahoo.com) or Ed Oliver (e.s.oliver@hotmail.co.uk). It needn’t be an onerous task, which can range from keeping an eye on things and reporting problems to the committee, to getting hands-on with site development projects if you have time and inclination to be further involved.
John Rawling We are sad to report the death of Goodmayes Lane plot holder John Rawling, who died earlier this year. The allotment society sent a condolence card to his widow, Margaret.
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Water use The society committee has received comments about water use – members have noticed that some people quickly empty communal water tanks using buckets, leaving others to wait for the tank to refill. Please use water wisely, as the supply is metered and the society pays for every drop used. If you need to use a lot of water in one go please try to do so at dusk when other members are less likely to be inconvenienced. The watering will also be more effective as there will be less evaporation.
Change of payment date for plot rentals At the 2013 Annual General Meeting it was agreed that the payment date for plots should change from January to October. This will allow empty plots to be let during the autumn, giving new members much longer to dig, in readiness for spring planting. With the current system, plots are not often available until March. As relet plots are often grassy and overgrown it can be a struggle for new starters to clear enough space to grow anything, leading to disillusionment. Many other allotment societies already use this payment date.
Seven Kings and Newbury Park Residents Association Mark Kennedy, membership secretary of the above group, has contacted the society in the hope that some of our members might be interested in joining them. His contact details are 37 Stainforth Road, Newbury Park, IG2 7EJ. 020 8598 8453 email makrkennedy18@hotmail.com New members welcome.
Use of our sites Please note that our lease from the council allows for quiet enjoyment of plots and we are restricted to using the facility during the hours of daylight.
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Society business (continued) SKGAS members highly commended
Congratulations to our members Takas Procopiou, Karnail Banwait and Andrea Licorish, who were all commended in the Redbridge Allotment Forum competition.
Polytunnels
The site stewards have come up with a plan to site one or two polytunnels at Benton Road. The idea is to rent out each tunnel to two plotholders who want extra space - they would have half each. If you are interested please contact PadraIig Floyd or Chris Goreham.
Crop rotation
Members are reminded that it is good practice to operate a rotation system so that the same crops are not grown in the same soil year after year. Failure to do so
risks a build-up of disease and possible exhaustion of soils. Society Byelaw six states that plots should be kept wellmanured and in good heart and condition. Further advice is available from the Royal Horticultural Society website at: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=124
In a similar vein, re-planting your own potatoes as seed potatoes is not recommended practice, as this increases the risk of crop disease and will generally give a lower yield than fresh seed.
Woodchip surplus
A large quantity of woodchip has accumulated at Goodmayes Lane. Members from all sites are welcome to collect supplies any Sunday morning when the Goodmayes site is open.
Alan Hooker We are saddened to report the passing of our society President, Alan Hooker, on 21st November 2013. Paul Dye has contributed the following (with additional information from Roger Backhouse): Alan was a man of many parts. Spending a whole day in his company, when I was assisting him in his role as allotment judge for the Society, gave me the opportunity to find out more about him. In his youth, because of his stature and physique, he had demonstrated athletic skill at national level. He and I were colleagues at North East London Polytechnic where Alan taught at the Barking Precinct in Longbridge Road. His qualifications as a photographer coupled with a degree in physics benefited many students over the years. He worked closely with fellow staff on the electron microscope
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suite supporting teaching and research. Following his retirement he told me he used to meet up with two former members of my department for lunch every year. Alan struck me always as being a gentleman, knowledgable yet modest, eventempered in discussion with a dry wit. Our society sought to recognise his qualities when we made him President. Those of us who were fortunate to know him as a fellow gardener and friend will hold him in our memories. He will be much missed at VLS for his quiet sense of humour and ability to get on with everyone. Alan had a very good knowledge of gardening and was an expert on lilies, including being a member of an RHS committee for that flower. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife and family.
The Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society newsletter
Dirty plot notices This year the committee has had to issue several dirty plot notices – some where plots have been paid for but not worked at all. As we have a long waiting list, there is now a greater responsibility for exisiting members to cultivate their plot. Unfortunately, there seems to have been a lack of understanding about what a dirty plot notice is, and what to do if you get one – they should not simply be ignored. As these notices can occasionally cause offence if they come out of the blue, the committee will endeavour to verbally contact plotholders before a notice is issued – but far better, please contact us if you know you are struggling with your plot but have a valid reason. We should be able to make allowances and save a lot of time and trouble. What are they? A dirty plot notice is a formal letter from the society committee, giving notice that a member should improve the condition of their plot. They can be issued if a plot is uncultivated, barely cultivated, or in an otherwise unacceptable state. Under society byelaws, members are obliged to cultivate their plots. This means actually growing crops, the days of having a plot and just strimming the long grass a couple of times a year are gone because we have a long waiting list.
How to avoid them The simplest way is to cultivate your plot and grow crops. Of course, this can be easier said than done – so if you run into difficulties through illness or other problems, please inform your site steward or a member of the committee. That way, we will be aware of the situation and can make allowances where appropriate. What to do if you get one First, please confirm receipt of the letter or email. A dirty plot notice will give a time period, usually a month to rectify the situation, so if you are able to work the plot, best get cracking! If you have a ten-rod plot, but are having difficulty cultivating it all, perhaps you could consider giving half of it up for somone on the waiting list. If your plot is uncultivated due to sickness etc, please tell the committee or a site steward and we may be able to arrange a longer period to get the plot tidy. If you receive a dirty plot notice and do nothing about it, do not be surprised if you get a follow-up letter terminating your plot lease. This is a last resort for the committee, but we have to be fair to people on the waiting list. It is not uncommon for potential plot holders to contact us pointing out that there are plenty of seemingly uncultivated plots visible from the road – so why can’t they have a plot?
Fancy a Festive Carrot from the Plot? How about trying carrots with caraway? Serves 6 Ingredients 400g carrots, peeled and halved if large ones. 2 teaspoons of clear honey. 1-2 teaspoons of caraway seeds, lightly crushed.
• Drain the carrots reserving about 1 tablespoon of the cooking liquid. Tip the carrots back into the saucepan with the tablespoon of cooking liquid and put the saucepan over a very low heat. Drizzle over the honey and shake in the lightly crushed caraway seeds.
• Put the carrots in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring rapidly to the boil. Once boiling point is reached, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender.
• Heat this shaking the pan for a couple of minutes or until you can see the carrots are glazed by the honey mixture. Season with a little salt if wished before serving.
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