General News

One of the most important dates in the diary is the Melbourne Park Allotment Association Annual General Meeting (AGM). This is to be held on Saturday 6th October at 10.30 am and represents your opportunity to listen, participate and share views relative to events or issues that affect us all as plot holders.

The Allotment Association is always looking for assistance and help, particularly with respect to committee members, and if you believe that you have some spare capacity to assist, Tony Holbrook, or Karen Lawrence would be delighted to hear from you and provide some information about what may be involved and current requirement.

The issue of assistance and help is crucial to the continued well being and running of the Allotment Association. I think we can all see that over the last 4-5 years the site and trading hut, together with facilities in general have been upgraded considerably, and as an objective observer have commented on several occassions this year how good the overall site is looking, and the very few plots that remain vacant compared with my first visits to the location. Many hands make light work.

Refreshments will be available at the AGM and we look forward to welcoming you on the morning.
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Arriving really early on site to water the acres of land that Karen has carefully cultivated, I was rather surprised to find that I was not the first person at the allotments. Not only this but the diminuitive figure at first glance pushing a rather large wheelbarrow. It was not until I popped across for a little chat did I realise that the individual was not quite who or what I expected.

There are one or two scarecrows or other on site, and part of the wider Chelmsford Borough Council Allotment competitions include a scarecrow competition for budding allotmenteers under the age of 10.

Getting back to the conversation that I never had with the individual above, (who can be spied on Bert's allotment), the model can be seen tending some pigs or piglets which represents a dream come true for Bert who has allegedly always wanted to keep pigs on his patch. This variety may not need quite so much care and attention, and certainly won't need chasing if they escape!

The above image demonstrates the damage that badgers can wreak to sweet corn in just a single night. Alarmingly this is not the only incident over recent days where our stripy four legged friends have run amok and several allotments have suffered severe damage as a consequence. Raspberries and other produce are sometimes targeted, even to the extreme where this year on occasion there is evidence that Badgers have taken potatoes (which is unusual).

There is seemingly little that can be done. Previous attempts with the council and DEFRA have proved fruitless, and it must be totally disheartening for those that find the effort of their hard toil destroyed, and a complete waste of good food.

What else could be done. Whilst involving time and effort, putting boundary wire fencing all around the sweet corn (which seems to be the target of choice) may assist, but even then the badger could dig under or try and lift (it has powerful jaws), and whilst this involves some considerable effortthe deterrent may be worth it.

This post is really to highlight the issue for all, especially those cultivating sweet corn or other badger friendly type produce, and it may be worth taking some steps to at least make it difficult for the animal to do its worst rather than just accepting the consequence.

Whilst I have not been down to the allotments with the camera as frequently as previous years, there still remains lots of interesting wildlife to be viewed outside of the hard effort of producing fruit and veg. Last week some folks found a colony of brighly coloured caterpillers which were clustered and feeding voraciously on Groundsal. After a little investigation in turns out that these beasties are in fact the larva of the Cinnibar Moth which develops into a distinctly marked red and black moth.

As these caterpillers seem to feast purely on weeds, an allotment growers perpetual nightmare, it probably doesn't deserve to go in the rogues gallery, so a new gallery for butterflies and moths has been created.

One or two other butterflies and moths have now been identified too, and these have been moved from the Identity parade to the above gallery (see previous post)

Often to be found on my hands and knees with a lens poking in the undergrowth, the most difficult aspect of photographing some of the smaller wildlife on the allotment is their identification. I have now found various websites that isolate bugs, beetles, butterflies, moths, and caterpillers so hopefully in the future will be able to give the images the proper designation.

Amongst the latest 'snaps' taken were on a herb patch in the middle of the allotment (the aroma was fantastic by the way, and not a bad place to have your head stuck all morning!). The Meadow Brown Buttefly seemed particularly attracted and has been added to a moths and butterfly gallery.

Please don't forget, if you are brousing these pages and you can identify some of the species, would really appreciate your contact, or alternatively if an interesting looking beastie is found and am about with the camera let me know.....

The Allotment Association held its annual allotment competition, for which the award presentations were made Saturday 4th August. Cllr. Gloria Nichols,herself an allotment holder, judged the competition and gave up time to present the cups and certificates, for best overall allotments, and best plot for tennants who have taken on a plot in the previous 18 months. Certificates were also awarded to plots that were highly commended.

The Cornell Cup, for the best plot was awarded to David Ling. The Cyril Hale Cup for best plot taken on within the previous 18 months was jointly awarded to Rosin Byford and Karen Lawrence. Highly commended certificates were awarded to Bruce and Debbie Morgan, Tony Helsden, Tony Holbrook, Delroy Harris, and Karen Lawrence.

Cllr Nichils also provided some rationale and personal persepective regarding the decision process, commenting on how difficult the process had been in view of the overall standard of plots on site. The morning was rounded off with refreshments and cakes.

Images of the winning plots and the award winners can be viewed by following this link http://www.melbpark.com/allotment-competition-2012


Congratulations to everyone involved, and grateful thanks for all who assisted on the day.

Councillor Mrs Gloria Nichols, who herself has an allotment plot at Avon Road judged this years Allotment Competition on Saturday 7th July. In previous years the judging provided a straight winner of the best overall plot and best plot for under 18 months occupancy. This year, Councillor Nichols suggested that owing to the good standard of the plots, that it was appropriate to extend the awards and offered highly commended awards to five additional plots, all of which were in the over 18 months occupancy category.

Congratulations therefore to everyone as it seems that making the decision was extremely hard, which must be due to all the hard work and effort that everyone puts in.

The award of Best Overall Plot - Mr David Ling, Plot 39L, who wins the Cyril Hale Cup

The award for Best Plot under 18 months occupancy - Rosin Byford, Plot 29l jointly with Karen Lawrence, Plot No 23F. They share the Ada and Arthur Cornell Cup.

The following plots were all awarded 'highly commended'.

Over 18 months occupancy -

Bruce & Debbie Morgan Plot No. 2
Karen Lawrence Plot No. 13
Mr. Tony Helsdon Plot No.27
Mr. Tony Holbrook Plot No. 45
Mr. Delroy Harris Plot No. 58

On making these awards Councillor Nichols commented:

Delroy Harris - Comment--Extensive clearance

Bruce Morgan - Comment - Lots of space, good appearance and variety of plants. Needs more quantity.

Karen Lawrence - Comment - Good environmental projects.

Tony Helsdon - Comment - Good mix of fruit and vegetables, allotment style layout. Composting and on-site water butt. Well spaced produce.

Tony Holbrook - Comment - Good neat appearance. Good variety. A "new style allotment".

The presentation of the Trophies and certificates will be made at the Trading Hut at 11 am on Saturday 4th August.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL PLOT HOLDERS WHO HAVE WON AWARDS THIS YEAR.

A gallery containing images of the above plots can be found on site by following the link http://www.melbpark.com/allotment-competition-2012

The annual allotment competition was held and judged on Saturday 7/7/12. Local Councillor, Gloria Nichols, who owns an allotment in another area judged the categories which were
- best plot for those who had taken an allotment within the last 18 months and
- best plot for those who had owned in excess 18 months.

The results will be published on the web site very shortly, with the cups being presented at the associations first opportunity.

A few new images have been added to the various galleries on the site. Principally these are in the floral gallery, but there are one or two others added. Meanwhile, the identities of some of the bugs and beasties still remains anonymous in the 'identity parade' gallery and anyone who can assist in naming any of the specimens shown would be appreciated so that we can label correctly and put them in a different gallery with those others identified.

The Committee has reluctantly decided that the Barbeque planned for July 14th will be cancelled. This is owing to poor response and sales of tickets to date.

This decision has been a difficult one as considerable time has been spent by the committee in obtaining permission from the Allotment department and preparing all the documentation required for such an event.

Saturday 14th July is the date set for the Allotment Association' annual summer barbeque event, to be held on site. Please support the Allotment Association and promote this social event. Similar to the Mulled Wine Christmas event, this is an ideal occassion to 'chill out', relax, and socialise. Tickets are on sale priced at £4 for adults, £2 for children, and can be purchased by contacting members of the Committee, or via the trading hut. It would be great if we could get as many of us as possible on the day to make the event a roaring success. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us via the website, or Tony Holbrook or Karen Lawrence directly.

The adventures of Peter Webb, who regaled the Association last year with his talk about 'the good life' and self sufficiency, guested again this evening with part 2 of his story. Following a resume of his exploits, he offered viewpoints regarding the differences of country versus urban life, and the struggle that he continually faces relative to the sales of organically or naturally produced foodstuffs. He indicated that whilst there is clamour for such food products, in reality the premium that these item demand remains a barrier to purchase in many cases. Whilst concluding that its hard work, the life style hinges on a sound partnership with his wife, and the fact that its a way of life rather than financial well being.
Refreshments plus raffle were held, with photographs supplied by Tony Holbrook. A big thank you to everyone that supported this evening.

Please be guided that the Potato, Onion and Shallot orders placed by members are now available for collection from the Allotment Trading Hut.

Following all the coverage in the local and regional press regarding availability of allotment plots, we are pleased to broadcast that there are 12 plots free or available at Melbourne Park with no waiting list. It may be that you know of someone, or a colleague who has not bothered to apply in view of the perpetual statements suggesting long waiting lists for allotment ownership.

If you know of anyone, friends, relatives or neighbours who would be keen or have an interest, then please encourage them to contact Chelmsford Borough Council allotment department. Please, however, do re enforce that there is considerable effort required to keep the plots in good health, and owning should be considered only by those who genuinely have the enthusiasm and commitment. Contact is Valerie McCarthy on 01245 605571.

A link to the Chelmsford Borough Council Allotment webpages has been added and can be found on the links page of this web site.

The Melbourne Park Allotment Association, together with some other sites were in the news again a few weeks ago. The article which focused on waiting lists and empty plots was published on 10/11/11 and tries to balance the concerns of plot holders with those of the council who state that the high drop off rate is one of the concerns when allocating plots.

The now annual MPAA mulled wine, mince pies and coffee morning was exceptionally well supported with over 40 members congregating to enjoy a morning of light refreshment, nibbles, and that all important brew. There was also lots of generous donations towards the raffle, and we hope that everyone enjoyed the morning.

Having thanked everyone for their support, Tony reminded any members relative to membership fees that may have unwittingly expired, and also that a second talk by Peter Webb is being organised at the Association Hut and tickets are currently on sale.

A selection of photographs have now been added to the site from the morning, and on behalf of the association we would like to thank all those whose effort made the morning possible, and everyone for making the effort to join in.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that George Rolfe passed away 28 days following his 100th Birthday. George was a stalwart allotment plot holder for over 60 years in Chelmsford, competing in Essex and Borough allotment competitions as depicted and recorded in the earlier articles on this website, and in the Essex Chronicle.

The members, friends and colleagues from the Allotment Association offer their sympathies and condolences to the family on this sad occasion.

Please be guided that the last message regarding the Mulled Wine, Coffee and Mince pie morning on 3rd December contained an error. The Morning actually commences at 10.30and not the 10.00 as suggested. Please make note accordingly and our apologies for the error.

George Rolfe's 100th Birthday celebration also made news in the Essex Chronicle (above).

Whilst we are positive that everyone has this date etched in their minds and diaries,this news post serves as a further nudge that the Allotment Association Annual Christmas Coffee Morning is fast approaching, 3rd December, starting at 10 AM at the trading hut. As usual refreshment, mulled wine, mince pies and savouries available to all members. As last year a raffle will be held during the course of the morning.

Last years event was a great success, and provides the opportunity for a pre festive social get together.So don't forget, Saturday 3rd December, 10 o'clock at the Trading Hut. It's an event not to be missed!