General News - General News

All,
The proposed development plans for St Peters College have been released, and we believe direct copies of the detail may have been sent to local residents and interested stakeholders. The document can be found at www.stpeterschelmsford.co.uk and includes a feedback form. This form contains limited questions, but does provide space for individuals to add their observations or concerns, and we would commend everyone to voice an opinion in terms of the proposals laid out, whether supportive or not.

As far as the Allotments are concerned, it is pleasing to note the original route for one of the cycle ways which cut through the top of the site is no longer part of the planning, but a small piece of land at the base of the site is included to extend and develop a footpath / cycle route into the green space area as a 'link'. The route takes an immediate right after the entrance at Highfield Road, and as a consequence this would then fence the Badgers sets into the Allotment site.

The Association is of course intends to write to the planning department in terms of our observations regarding the current route, and will be requesting the planning group and the council to try and seek an out of the box solution which allows everyone to win, in terms of requirement, whilst not disturbing the Badgers. We will also be writing to the City Council, but before committing to print request any interested persons from the Allotment the opportunity to provide their thoughts or an opinion in order we may take as broad a viewpoint as possible from the Membership. Responses have to be communicated directly to Essex Planning before the end of July.

If there are any immediate concerns or considerations, please contact Ray, Karen, Alex, Kevin, Ian or Peter so we may collate all, or alternatively drop the Association a note via the contact page on the website.

O/B Melbourne Park Allotment Association.

COVID 19 Update - Trading Hut and Communal Facilities.



Dear Association Members,

We continue to follow closely the government guidelines and keep under constant review the decisions taken which affect us on site, with a complete emphasis on all of our individual health and safety. To this end, we continue to advise the communal facilities (kitchen and toilets) remain closed until further notice. This guidance remains consistent with government, local council and the National Allotment Association advice, and we would assure everyone we continue to keep this specific decision under constant review.

We hope everyone will understand the stance we are taking, and whilst it could be suggested some public facilities are now opened, these are cleaned multiple times daily, with appropriately employed and trained staff with full PPE. Our facilities are maintained and cleaned entirely by volunteers from the Allotments, and we do not feel it is appropriate to put these individuals at potential risk, not with standing which it would not be appropriate to expect these volunteers to complete a clean multiple times per day, seven days a week.

Whilst on the subject of the communal facilities and cleaning - as indicated 5 or 6 volunteers routinely clean the facilities when it is open. It would be hugely positive and well appreciated by the current volunteers if any other plot members felt once the situation with COVID has eased, and we are in a position to re-open, they may be in a position to join the cleaning rota which then shares the onus of responsibility. The more people who volunteer the less frequently the individual requirement to clean. If you feel you may be able to commit, please get in touch with Karen, Ray, Kevin, Alex, Ian or Peter who can make a note and advise exactly what is involved.

In terms of the Trading Hut, the news continues to be positive - with conditions attached. During the last three months we have organised a virtual opening of the trading hut and plot members have been contacting Ray either by phone, on site or via the website in terms of purchases. Ray has been opening up wherever possible when he is on site and organising to leave the orders or products outside for collection, requiring the correct money to be deposited in a box or tray to avoid any contact. We believe this has worked quite well, and plan to continue with this step, whilst once again keeping mind of current government position and any easing of the rules in relation to social distancing. It has been really pleasing to see everyone’s patience with the steps taken. When there is further possibility to ease the current methods, we will re visit our risk assessments and then broadcast any latest development.

ob Melbourne Park Allotment Association.

The Allotment Association are pleased to announce the intention to continue to hold the Allotment competition on the 11th July. The view exists this can be managed in accordance with all social distancing requirements.

Our judge this year is a good friend of the Association, Steve Withers. A plot holder on Chignal Road, Associate member at Melbourne Park and a long time committee member Steve's cheerful demeanour and his 'uniquely identifiable' mode of transport always raised a smile.

There are two categories for the competition - one for those who have held a plot for less than 18 months, and a second category for those with a little more experience. Your plots must be clearly identified with your plot number (otherwise it will be discounted) and your Association membership must be up to date.

Wishing everyone the best, and a big thank you to Alex Horne for continuing to organise, and to Steve Withers for giving up his time to cast his 'expert eye' over our efforts.

The image accompanying this article shows some of last years winners with their certificates presented at the Annual General Meeting in October 2019.

Our usual supply of pallets dried up with the closure of Writtle Road Nurseries, and for some time we have been looking for alternatives. In the meantime, one of our new plot holders, Arron (hope I have spelt that right) indicates he may be able to temporarily secure a supply of pallets.

Once delivered to the site they will be available from the Community Orchard at the top by the entrance from Hobart Close. If you would like some pallets please let Karen or Ray know on site and we'll organise as far as possible with Arron.

Please be mindful this is entirely voluntary and no guarantees can be made and is entirely subject to when Arron may or may not be able to make available to us.

A huge thanks to Arron in advance.

The Community Orchard has been a feature of the site for a few years now, with the original trees purchased through a grant funded by Edible Essex. Over the years Peter Hunnable prunes and keeps the trees in shape, and more recently Kevin Baskill has regularly trimmed all the grass around the site to keep it tidy.

None of this, contains the weeds and growth in and around the base of the trees, and this morning a group of intrepid plot holders kindly agreed to clear all the base of the trees from weeds, tidy up and water the 40 trees within the orchard.



The layout of the orchard is reasonably ideal in that all the trees are 3-4 meters apart in rows of 4 which helped ensure we all kept within the rules of social distancing which currently prevail.



Various different styles or approaches were on display and a few photographs from this morning are included in the article, as the team made short work of the task at hand.



A huge thank you to Peter Hunnable, Peter Caffrey, Kevin Baskill, Rob Hirst, Richard Harris, Alex Horne, Tony Holbrook, Ian Moore and Karen Lawrence for all the effort involved.

There was quite a severe water leak at the base of the plot yesterday, and the council contractors have been on site, but need spare parts to repair and in the short term have had to turn the water off. Please note the following message from Chelmsford City Council in relation to this matter.

Please DO NOT tamper with ANY of the standpipes on the allotment site as the Council are aware of various water leak issues at the moment and in the process of resolving this issue. If a standpipe near to your plot isnt working please in the meantime use water from one that is working.

There are standpipes working at the far side of the plot (up from the Wilderness Foundation and we hope to have some positive news in relation to a fix shortly,

Having considered all the available information and continuing to follow government and Membership body advice we have taken the regrettable decision to close the cabin facilities until further notice. This decision has not been easy, and has been taken in consideration of the well being and interests of all members on site.


The advice from the National Allotment Association is all community facilities should be closed and whilst everyone on site has been socially distancing, we feel the potential risk involved with our communal facilities is not one we are able to ignore, and ultimately we need to ensure we have protected the health and safety, of everyone on site.


We hope the general membership of the Association and plot holders will consider this decision appropriate and sensible in light of all the government advice especially in terms of our collective responsibilities to each other. At the point in time where restrictive measures and social distancing are relaxed we will be in a position to re - open.

Following the latest government guidelines and requirements for social distancing, and the closure of the majority of non essential trading outlets, we regrettably view there is little option than to close the trading hut until further notice. There is a note on the door of the hut to this effect.

This step is consistent with information and guidelines published by other societies and associations, including the National Allotment Association.

We are however considering how we may provide product to the Allotment community using a type of 'click and collect', or basic e mail order exchange. For those not using mail services, possibly over the telephone. The issue remains still one of handling product or cash and if we believe we can organise something which absolutely minimises risk, will update and advise via the website and Association notice board on Site.

The web site does have a contact page, and this provides the possibility to contact via this method if we chose this route.

Meanwhile, we urge all of us to continue to adopt the government advice, taking the appropriate approach, and hope everyone remains safe and well.

In view of the escalating issues of COVID 19, National Health England and the government advice in terms of social distancing, we will need to ensure everyone at the Allotments take appropriate steps to protect themselves.

At this point in time we have not decided to close the trading hut, but would request common sense prevails in terms of distance and social interaction should you be on site or decide to visit the trading hut. Of course if you have any of the symptoms the advice is to self isolate at home and we would anticipate everyone abides by these requirements as appropriate.

If the situation escalates, or government (National Health England) advice change, we will need to review this situation and would commend those who have access to the web site to check in for any latest developments.

We will place notices on the board by the trading hut at the top of the site. Unfortunately we cannot replicate at the base of the site as our board was vandalised and we are looking to repair.

It may have been just imagination, but there seemed to be quite a heightened level of activity on site during the course of the last week. There were many familiar faces and quite a few new. To all the new plot holders a warm Melbourne Park Allotment welcome and hope you get the maximum from your efforts. There are already some impressive looking starts, and considerable colour on display around the site.



As we are all aware the country is facing a pandemic, and the government are taking extra ordinary steps to tackle. There are notices on the trading hut and in the cabin, and take the time to remind everyone to be mindful of others and respect the difficult situation we all find. This also applies in relation to how we tackle the trading hut and purchases, and would again ask everyone to be especially mindful in relation to social distancing and how we conduct ourselves so we may endeavour to keep everything ticking over.

On a brighter note the trading hut has taken in a new stock of timber, and various other purchases ready for the growing season and is open on Saturday and Sunday as usual. In terms of the website, we will be following the progress of The Three Allotmenteers (Alex, Kevin and Ian) again, and are hoping to publish some information from newer members in terms of their progress. An update from Project 63 should be expected, and one or two of our more established plot holders have offered up some insights about their time on the Allotment.



A big thank you to Peter Hunnable who has mown all round the trading hut and cabin, and Kevin Baskill who has given the Community Orchard an early trim. Don't forget to check into Alex's (The Essex Allotment) you tube channel too.

We understand from the Council the water supply will be re connected on or around the 6th April and in the meantime trust everyone is well.

Please be guided a mobile phone has been found and handed in on the Allotment site today. If you believe you have lost a phone and it may belong to you, please contact Karen Lawrence with details of the device, manufacturer etc.

The Association took delivery of it's latest order of Timber this morning. Available in various sizes, 2x2, 2x1 and 1.5x1 all at 8ft in length (big apologies for those who operate in metric).

The Timber arrives in 16ft lengths and is sawn for storage and sale at the trading hut. The Association can also order decking if required, please enquire.

A big thank you to Richard Harris who stopped by and helped cut all the wood for the trading hut this morning.

February tends not to be blessed with the greatest of weather, and this year is no exception. Despite not being quite as chilly, storm Clara and now Dennis are racing through, making the conditions unattractive on the plot.

This month as last though is not without important tasks which need to be completed, and a selection of potential 'To Do's' taken from Karen's allotment diary may prove to be a helpful nudge in the right direction. The list of course is not exhaustive, and remains a personal aide memoire, and it may just prove useful to others too.

There are a host of on line resources which may also be of assistance and don't forget to follow our very own Alex Horne - AKA #the_essex_allotment on you tube or Instagram. Alex's You Tube channel provides a regular update on what he is up to on his plot, including early sowing tips etc......

1. Any areas needing lime complete by end of February e.g. Brassica, swedes, French Beans and runner beans.
2. Plant shallots providing soil is not too wet, can plant from Nov- March
3. Black polythene where going to plant potatoes
4. Potash around garlic
5. Cut thyme to 9”
6. Put early potatoes already chitted into bags in polytunnel, if not done so
7. Start dahlias off in compost in greenhouse to take cuttings
8. Third week- apples-Apply potash 6” from trunk and 12” beyond tips of branches. Cooking apples need less than desert
9. Apples apply sulphate of ammonia 1 1/2oz per sq. m and growmore up to 4oz
10. Apples apply super-phosphate every 3 years 1 ½-2 oz. per sqm
11. Beginning of Feb apply garlic powder where you are to grow onions.
12. Put lettuce out under fleece and cloche or in greenhouse
13. Cut autumn raspberries down to ground (all stems)
14. Plant some potatoes 6” below soil level under cloches
15. Warm area for spring onion with cloche/fleece
16. Early Feb 1 /4 oz potash and 1 ¾ oz nitro chalk or sulphate of ammonia around Cherry and every 3rd year 2 ½ oz superphosphate all per sq yard
17. Sulphate of ammonia around each blueberry
18. 26th Rhubarb apply dressing of sulphate of ammonia 2 oz sq m (do not over feed)
19. Prune blueberries like black currents. Bushes fruit best on wood 1-4 years old. Cut back up to a quarter of the older wood. Thin weak shoots to stronger shoots. Cut just above a bud.
20. Prune/shear a small amount from lavender plants
21. Prune rosemary after flowering
22. Sow early carrots in greenbox in polytunnel
23. Late Feb apply growmore 2-3oz and nitrochalk to apricot
24. Liquid feed potatoes in bags in poly tunnel
25. Late Feb sow peas for shoots in modules , plant outside under fleece

The site has regrettably been the target of a further incidence of vandalism. The principal damage seems confined to the base of the site near the Highfield Road entrance on this occasion, with sheds overturned, broken into and in some cases severe damage.

The incident has once again been reported to the police and the City Council, and we would urge everyone who is affected to report the incident to both. The incident reference number is 42/1775/20.

We have supplied images to both the police and the council.

Regrettably, 2020 has started poorly with further unwanted incursions to the site. Various sheds have been broken into, equipment moved and abandoned. We have contacted all those who we believe have been affected, together with reporting to the City Council and the Police. The incident reference to quote is RCI 73923.

We would commend all those who are affected to report to the police and the council as this is the fifth incursion experienced over the last 2-3 weeks and the damage is getting worse. Pressure needs to be placed to make haste over repairing the external fences, and thought given to other potential preventative measures.

Finally, if you are missing tools or equipment, please come and find Karen or Ray as we now have a collection from the various break ins where we have collected up after.

This morning, several people all got together to overcome a manure mishap from the recent deliveries. After all the effort Peter put in to ensure the trailer loads of manure reached the right plots we had a minor mishap with a mis delivery. Make way for the Melbourne Park 'Alotmenteers', a modern day twist on Alexander Dumas' famous four who, equipped with shovels and barrows picked up the misplaced delivery and ensured it was delivered to the right plot.

A positive shout out to all those involved, and a big thank you to all.

The annual delivery of manure started this morning, with more than 12 plot holders taking advantage of the local farmers offering. A Huge thank you to Peter Hunnable who organised and In spite of the blustery conditions co ordinated the deliveries which continue tomorrow.

Please do not forget if the delivery is on a pathway or roadway as the plot is inaccessible, the manure must be moved within 7 days.

The annual mulled wine and mince pie event (masquerading as a coffee morning) was held at the trading hut earlier today. A massive thank you to all those who helped clear the trading hut and put back together again after, for the donation of food, and also the raffle prizes. Steve our chief raffle ticket seller was in top form as usual, and special mention for Alex's mum Sue for two amazing floral bouquets. A big thumbs up to all involved - we are very grateful for all the efforts.



The morning was reasonably well attended, with Tony's legendary brew consumed at pace, and it was great to see some of our newer plot holders and longer association members trading tales.



We hope everyone had a good morning, which leaves us with nothing more to do than wish everyone a merry christmas, and a happy, healthy 2020.

It doesn't seem possible 2019 will soon tick over to 2020 and we are posting a reminder about the XMAS mulled wine event, Saturday 7th December together with opening and closing dates for the Trading Hut over the festive period.

As we close out the year we can advise the sign at the top of the site - reminding us all to close the gate has been re - furbished, - a big thank you to Karen and Tony, and an equal measure of thanks to Kevin (plot 77 and 78) for keeping the community orchard in trim. Peter Hunnable is organising to prune the orchard trees early next year, and if you would be interested in learning a little more about the art of pruning, catch up with Peter at the Mulled Wine morning.

The manure orders are being delivered to the site on Monday and Tuesday 9th and 10th October, and we are expecting the seed potato order early February.

Several members attended a talk given by Charles Dowding in relation to his 'no dig' methods, and this is already being attempted on project 63 (to a degree), and on plots 24,45 and 79, but some new members from the Marconi Belles are taking this route on plot 111 and with their blessing we are hoping to follow the progress made.



Ian, Kevin and Alex, the three Allotmenteers, have kindly agreed to provide some information for the web site in 2020 and we are looking forward to these updates. We are hoping further members may take part and hope these snippets have proved to be interesting.



We continue to deliver vegetables to our chosen charity, Sanctus into December, although the car boot full of produce is now down to a couple of mushroom trays, and consists of celeriac, leeks, parsnips, carrots, a final splurge of green peppers from the poly tunnel and some fennel which has proved to be really hardy. I believe we have managed to deliver (with the exception of an odd week) for almost 8 months this year, together with donations from other association members.



Project 63 continued to experiment this year, and a number of the outcomes have been tried by various plot holders. A separate post will follow soon, as we have one last experiment we are waiting to harvest.

We have seen quite a number of new members take plots and join the association and in many cases plenty of positive progress made and we would like to welcome everyone.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the Mulled Wine Morning.

Please be aware the trading hut will close over the Christmas period. The last weekend the trading hut will be open is the 14th and 15th December, and will re open for business on Saturday 4th January.