General News

We are pleased to announced that Edible Essex have accepted the proposals presented to them in relation to the Melbourne Park Allotment Association Orchard project. Despite the initial disappointment in relation to the City Council awards, interest and support from Edible Essex, plus additional support from the City Council, will now allow us to make this project a reality.

We have already announced an 'Orchard Dig' coffee morning on Tuesday 29th to undertake the majority of the preparations for the orchard, and orders have been placed for an assortment of fruit trees, dwarf stock, plus all the equipment, stakes, supports and materials that will enable us to fulfil the initial stages of this project.

It is important to understand that this is a long term undertaking on behalf of the Association, and we will need to ensure that we appropriately maintain and manage the area given over to the project, as well as management of the trees themselves.

We are fortunate to have individuals on site with a wealth of knowledge in relation to the care and management of fruit trees, who have offered their support in terms of guidance and instruction relative to pruning and care. I hope that we can all take advantage of this so that the responsibilities can be shared, and we can deliver on the commitments that we have made to the council and Edible Essex in relation to this activity.

Whilst at this point we do not know when exactly the trees will be available, it is essential that they are planted immediately we get them. This time of year is prime planting time for fruit, and at this point we hope that again we may receive some offers of assistance and help to complete this in a timely fashion.

We are very grateful to Edible Essex and the Allotment Association in respect of their support and input. Details of Edible Essex can be found by following the link in this article, or from the links page on the website. Similarly a link to the City Council web site can also be found on the same page.

Finally a big thank you to Carolyn whose perseverance and determination to see this project through has brought us so far, and to all those who have assisted, and continue to volunteer and assist.

I am sure that this date is indelibly marked in everyone's diary, but just as a reminder none the less. The Melbourne Park Allotment Association holds it's annual Mince Pie and Mulled Wine morning at the Trading Hut on Saturday 7th December, starting at 10.30 AM. The morning is Free, plus there will be the customary raffle. The morning is always exceptionally well supported, and provides a great opportunity for a catch up and chat, and a little imbibe in Tony's now legendary mulled wine. We look forward to seeing you all on the day.

Although we didn't quite get over the line in respect of the City Council Awards, we have continued to push forward. We now have some interest from Edible Essex in terms of supporting our cause, and have applied in relation to assistance for the Allotment Orchard project. Whatever happens, whether on the original scale or slightly reduced, we are going ahead with this project.

An area has been marked at the top of the Allotment site, and we are planning to hold an Allotment 'Orchard Dig' on Tuesday 29th. Start time is at 10 AM and we are hoping to have sufficient volunteers to warrant that we do not need to go beyond 2 PM in the afternoon. We need to define exactly what needs to be done, but it is likely to include marking the exact location for the trees, removing the turf for the tree area to a defined width or diameter, and excavating an appropriately sized hole. It is important that we keep the soil that is dug out in neat piles or lots next to the hole so that when the trees are delivered we can easily replace rather than from scattered excavation.

Coffee and Tea will be available, and it would be greatly appreciated for as many volunteers that may be able to participate and spare some time. Many hands make light work.

It is hard to imagine, but Arthur has in some capacity or another been associated with the Allotments at Melbourne Park for over 65 years. Having taken his first plot after de mobilisation in 1947, to competing locally and across the county with the fruits of his labour, he has pretty much witnessed all the comings and goings, all the change. Despite having to give his own plot up a few years ago, he can still be seen tending the garden at the front of the Trading Hut and opening up on Saturday and Sunday with Ada.

As the writer of this piece for the web site, it is difficult to conjure up any statement that would give appropriate respect and recognition to such feats, not just the owning, cultivating and managing a plot, but the involvement with the site in general and the trading hut. In fact, as Tony alluded to today at the AGM, it was Arthur's suggestion and persistence that the time was right to re form a committee and re open a long dormant trading hut in 2004.

Tony Holbrook and the committee thought that in some small way, however possible we should recognise Arthur in some form. The only method that we thought could possibly be meaningful was to create a position within the Association of 'Honorary President'. I am sure we would all agree that this may perhaps be the most fitting recognition that we could provide. Arthur was reluctant to accept at first, but those who attended the AGM will know that he gave his endorsement.

There are various articles on the site in relation to Arthur, including an interview that Tony Holbrook undertook in 2009 in relation to Arthur's connection to the site, and his 90th birthday and his achievements duly brought the Essex Chronicle to the site, and coverage in the following weeks edition.

We are planning to celebrate with Arthur at the Christmas Mulled Wine and Mince Pies morning, and hope that as many members will put this date in their diary (7th December) and help us make it truly a day to remember.

On behalf of everyone, congratulations Arthur, and thank you.

It is highly disappointing to report that our attempt to secure a grant for the Orchard project came to a halt this week, as it was announced that Galleywood Heritage secured the largest number of votes with it's proposition. The result was reasonably close, with just 33 votes separating ourselves from the winning scheme. We did secure the most votes from the day in Town, where Carolyn, Karen, Tony and Dave talked, discussed, coerced and cajoled shoppers with the merits of our proposition.

We will be eligible to re submit our proposal in six months time, and aside of the disappointment, would like to offer our sincere thanks to Carolyn for the significant amounts of time and effort that went into not just putting the proposals together, but also organising the campaign for votes.

Karen Lawrence and Peter Hunnable represented the Melbourne Park Allotments on 14th September, where we collected the award for best site in group 1 on behalf of the Association. This is a great accolade for us to achieve. The certificate acknowledging our success is in the trading hut for all to see. Congratulations everyone, and may we enjoy more success next year!

We have received notice from the Grand Awards team that voting is close, and to encourage all participants to make use of their wider social networks. To this end we would encourage all Allotment Members, friends and plot holders, to positively canvas their wider social networks to generate votes for the Melbourne Park Allotment project.

Quote 'On the 27th of September the Council is holding an awareness event in the High Street – ‘We Are Chelmsford’.

Grand Awards will be taking part in the event and we will be gathering votes for the September Vote (so all of your projects) via a traditional voting slip and ballot box. These votes will be added to your online totals to establish the final result… so spread the word! The vote will be anonymous. Also I’ll be on the stall all day -it would be lovely to meet you!' Unqoute

If you can make it into Town on this day, or friends, family or relatives are about, please take the time to vote. Every vote will count.

Thank you for your support.

We are now taking orders for farm trailer loads of manure for end of November / December (approximately) delivery. The price is £25.50 per load delivered to your plot.

There is a limited quantity, and ordering can be made at the trading hut. Orders can only be accepted accompanied with full payment giving your name and plot number. Cash or cheques (made payable to Melbourne Park Allotment Association). Orders to be placed by 10th November, please. As most plots are now occupied it is expected that most loads will have to be delivered to the roadways. It is a condition of ordering that the load must be removed within 7 days to enable vehicular access. All those plot holders not ordering manure are asked to bear in mind this temporary situation.

Orders can be taken by Peter Hunnable, Tony Holbrook, or at the trading hut. Please ensure a contact number is provided.

Once a year the Allotment Association holds it's annual general meeting. These meetings are crucial, not just because they form part of the group constitution and we are required as a committee to hold such a forum, but it also gives everyone the opportunity to express a view or opinion. It is also the time of year when the financial accounts for the year are produced, and the appointment, or re appointment of the committee and officers of the Association.

This year has again seen plenty of activity on the site, with new fencing, young trees being planted around the periphery, concrete base laid for the manure, and as can be seen from the web site we have been short listed for the grand awards with Chelmsford City Council to secure a grant to plant an orchard on the vacant grass areas at the top of the site. In addition to this we held a very successful strawberry fair event mid year, and coming up we have the annual mulled wine and coffee morning at Christmas which the author of this article is particularly looking forward to (particularly the mulled wine and mince pies!!!)

There is a lot of work that gets undertaken behind the scenes, and it with grateful thanks that we owe these individuals for time and effort given up to ensure that we have a thriving and pleasant community.

We would therefore be very grateful for as many members as possible to attend on the 5th October, commencing at 10.30 am so that we can generate the widest possible viewpoint for the coming year and the continuing well being of the Association.

If you have any items that you would specifically like to discuss, please contact Carolyn Russell (plot 10f0 or telephone 01245 350059 by the 20th September so that we may include.

We look forward to seeing you.

We are pleased and proud announce that the Melbourne Park Allotment Association has been shortlisted for the Chelmsford City Council Grand Award scheme. The scheme which requires on line voting to determine the winner month by month sees the Allotment Association shortlisted alongside two other worthy participants. Full details of the proposition, and the voting can be found by following the link www.chelmsfordgrandawards.co.uk, and to vote for the allotment association you can follow the link www.chelmsfordgrandawards.co.uk/vote

We have applied for an award of £1000/- to fulfil the orchard project that has long been considered, converting the waste grassland at the top of the site. The plan encompasses the local community and includes amongst other, the potential to include the local primary school.

The information is already on line, and to succeed for the award we need to secure as many votes as possible. We hope that you will believe this to be a worthy proposal, and look forward to receiving not only your vote, but those of family, friends and friends of the allotments. voting concludes on the 30th September.

We have received notification this week from Chelmsford City Council, that Melbourne Park Allotments were awarded the winners accolade in group 1 of the annual allotment competition. The judging is undertaken on an independent basis, with the allotments within the city split into four groups.

We are also pleased to broadcast that Bruce Morgan on plot 2 was awarded runner up for the best plot in group 1.

Prize giving is scheduled for the afternoon of 12th September at 4pm and two members of the committee have been invited to accept the award.

I think it goes without saying that we can be very proud and is a great advert for all the effort and pride that the members of the Melbourne Park Allotments take.

Thank you one and all.

The annual Allotment Association competition was kindly judged by Mike Hall, who in his summing up stated that the overall standard was good. Mike, a retired Senior Lecturer at the Writtle Agricultural College, and RHS Judge used various criteria in his decision making, keeping in mind the traditional values that he considered appropriate to an Allotment plot. Some of the areas he looked for included Crop range, spacing, support and maturity, and also considered weed control and pest / disease. As a consequence of this Mike awarded the Cyril Hale Cup, for the best overall plot to Peter Hunnable. The best newcomer, for The Cornell Cup, Paul Day. Mike then suggested that 4 plots in each category were worthy of a highly commended, and these certificates went to Bruce Morgan, Carolyn Russell, Trevor Thomas and Stuart Challis in the established plot holder group, and to David Rowlings, Josie Rawling, Lindsay Wingate, and Fred from plot 75R in respect of those that had owned a plot for less than 18 months.

The Certificates and cups were presented on Saturday 13th July, and our grateful thanks to Mike Hall who undertook the judging for us, and to Steve Withers for the co ordination and organisation of both the judging day and awards. An image gallery of the winners, and hopefully the plots in question can be found on the web site, and our congratulations to all those who were successful this year.

Fortunately for all concerned the weather held off today, and the Strawberry fair took place at the Allotment Association. Apart from the enticing strawberry and cream, a host of other food, cakes and refreshments were provided. A competition for the younger visitors, name the vegetables, together with 'guess the weight of the cake' and number of sweets in a jar proved a hit,together with the traditional plant stall and information about the Allotment Association and finds on the site.

Outside of the thanking everyone who purchased tickets to support the event, a huge vote of thanks to the army of helpers, too significant to name all who helped make the whole day possible. The team of people that constructed the marquee on friday night, those that made and donated some superb food and cakes, the teams that ran the refreshment stalls, raffles, and generally got stuck in. Finally, the clean up operation after the event that seemed to be undertaken in record time. Your efforts were and are truly appreciated.

Earlier posts have demonstrated the damage that Badgers cause, especially to sweet corn (devastated last year before we even got to pick a cob), and what can or cannot be done regarding this issue. One action, drastic if you like sweet corn, was simply not to grow. However, several plot holders have instilled robust, and hopefully badger proof surrounds for the precious crop. You can buy specialist Badger wire, or alternatively galvanised wire to go around a wood fence post. As the photographs demonstrate, lots of effort have been put in to making the area hopefully 'badger proof' and guess that we will find out during the course of this growing season how successful or not this has proven to be.

This is just a short note to advise that all tickets for the Strawberry Fair event on 22nd June have been sold. The event is sold out.

Thank you for your support.

A few weeks ago we posted news regarding the hard core and area that had been dug where the manure is usually deposited. The constant deposit had hollowed out the area and to overcome the situation worsening we secured permission from Chelmsford Council to cement an area over to accomodate the manure. This work was completed this week during various rainy spells, and thanks to some rapid ingenuity a makeshift shelter to protect the newly laid cement from the ravages of the weather erected. All did not go quite to plan as the delivery provided rather more cement than anticipated and our intrepid band of helpers rapdidly developed a further area to accomodate the excess.Our thanks to Tony Holbrook for organising the work party, cement delivery from the contractors, and to Richard, David, David, Big John (excuse me John), Arthur, Peter, Peter, Josie, Glen and Ian for all their invaluable assistance. If I have inadvertantly missed anyone, please forgive us.

The observant amongst us will have seen what seems to be the start of a building project at the bottom of the allotment site where the manure deliveries are normally deposited. The area has become 'hollowed' out after the consistent use for manure, and as this seems to be the most convenient spot, the committee have taken steps to do something about the issue. In agreement with the City Council we are preparing to concrete over a sufficient area to avoid any further depression. Using specially strengthened concrete to protect against acidity, the area is being shuttered off and filled with hard core in preparation for a delivery of cement to smooth over the area. As you can see we have managed to secure some hard core already. Tony Holbrook and various other members have already started the work, and for further information please contact Tony who would be grateful for any assistance.

The Melbourne Park Allotment Association is holding a strawberry fair on Saturday 22nd June, commencing 1300 hours. Besides the incentive of Strawberries and cream, there will also be a plant stall, some light refreshment, and a view of some of the more unusual finds that have been 'dug up' on the allotment site. Some of the images that you see on the website will also be on display in print form, and it is hoped that everyone will provide this event with their wholehearted support. A marquee will be erected for the day. Tickets are £2 for adults, £ 1 for children, strictly limited, so to avoid disappointment, please get in touch with Tony, Karen, or other members of the committee or via the web site. It is essential that an early booking is made to attend the event, to ensure that sufficient strawberries are picked and available!!

Whilst four intrepid masters of DIY were erecting four metal fencing panels at part of the top perimeter of the site, a couple of other volunteers were busy polishing the trophies. Various cups, rosebowls and a couple of plaques were in need of a sharpen up. It is quite amazing looking at these awards, some of which were presented by the mayor and mayoress of Chelmsford, the number of times that the names Arther and Ada Cornell appear, plus the frequency that Melbourne Park Allotments won the sites trophy. If you get a chance to take a look please do. A big thanks to Sybil and Karen whose elbow grease have allowed these pieces to shine again.

With a break in what would appear perpetual rain, a small work party congregated at the Allotment this morning to erect some more sturdy fencing at the top end of the site. The original wooden fence, whilst still in tact, was given added strength with the placement of four rigid metal fencing panels which will provide some further security at this location. With grateful thanks to Derek, John, Peter and Tony.