General News

The article on the site relating to George's 100th birthday has been updated. We have managed to locate a couple of photographs of George in his exhibiting and competition years, which we have now added to the news article.

The Great Waltham Allotment Association have announced the start of their annual program of talks, commencing with 'Starting and Maintaining an Allotment'.

The first talk to be held on Monday 7th November, and presented by Tony Budgen will share his experiences on this topic. This is a highly topical and relevant evening, and suggested as 'not to be missed'. The talk proposes to give both the novice and more experienced individuals insights into a variety of topics.

The evening is being held at the Great Waltham Village Hall, and carries an entrance fee of £1.50, with a raffle and refreshments to follow.

On Monday 24th October, 2011, George Rolfe, a long standing allotment holder at Melbourne Park Allotments celebrated his 100th birthday. Although George has not had the best of health recently, his family, friends and plot holders from the allotments gathered at his home on Monday to congratulate him on reaching his centenary.

George only retired from the allotments in June 2006, at a spritely 95 years of age, but has since kept his associate membership of the association following retirement.

George worked at Hoffman Ball Bearing Company, Chelmsford, a landmark manufacturing site in the town. Apart from growing vegetables of his allotment, he was a well known exhibitor of chrysanthemums and sweat peas, winning many cups, medals and trophies throughout Essex and into London.


Many of his exhibits were grown in the back garden and George recalls one specific morning of an important flower competition where the heavens opened and torrential rain poured down. With the chrysanthemums in the garden about to be cut, he mustered family and neighbours to hold blankets over the flowers to stop damage to the blooms. He went on later that afternoon to win a gold medal with his entries.

George can be seen on the right of both of the images attached to this article.

From everyone at the allotment association, on such a momentous occasion, our congratulations to George.

MELBOURNE PARK ALLOTMENT ASSOCIATION

RUBBISH DISPOSAL

THE ALLOTMENT DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO A ONE- OFF COLLECTION FROM THE SITE OF NON-COMPOSTABLE ITEMS. IT WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND MID-NOVEMBER, ACTUAL DATE WILL BE PUBLISHED NEARER THE TIME. FOR PLOT HOLDERS, OTHER THAN, RECENT NEW PLOT HOLDERS PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

1. ALL RUBBISH MUST BE TAKEN TO THE TOP CAR PARK (HOBART CLOSE).

2. SEPARATE PILES MUST BE MADE I.E.
PLASTIC
METAL
GLASS
WOOD
BRICKS/CONCRETE
CARPET

NO WEEDS, SOIL, GRASS OR VEGETABLE MATTER

FOR ALL NEW PLOT HOLDERS PLEASE CONTINUE AS PREVIOUSLY INSTRUCTED, BY THE ALLOTMENT OFFICER, TO PUT YOUR SEPARATED RUBBISH AT THE END OF YOUR PLOT BY THE ROAD FOR COLLECTION.

The Allotment Association has announced various dates to remember for next year. Please ensure your diaries are fully up to date so that none of these activities are missed.

Saturday 3rd December 2011 (not quite 2012) - 1030 am
Mulled Wine, Mince Pies are available at the annual Christmas Coffee Morning. No charge for this event.

Tuesday 27th March - Peter Webb, The Good Life Part 2.
Allotment trading hut at 7.30 pm, tickets priced £2 including refreshments and are available now.

The Annual Allotment competition - Saturday 7th July

Summer Barbeque - Saturday 14th July - more information to follow

Annual General Meeting - Saturday 6th October, commencing 1000 am

Christmas Coffee Morning - 2nd December at 1030 am (this is highlighted as we are sure you won't be able to wait from this years event!!)

Please make every effort to etch these dates into your diary and fully support your Allotment Association.

Peter Webb will be returning to the Allotment Association on Tuesday 27th March to present the second instalment of his experiences seeking the 'Good Life'. The first evening was sold out, with Peter regaling the audience with a view of how he got started, and the change from viewing wildlife as cute and cuddly to a means of income. This evening is certainly 'by popular demand' and to avoid disappointment snap up your tickets for this event from the trading hut. Tickets are £2.00 each including refreshments and are available now. This is absolutely a date not to be missed.

Unfortunately, we have been informed that the farmer who normally provides plentiful suppliers or manure, no longer has any cattle stock, and this will be the last year that we can obtain manure from this source. Due to the reduced amounts, we have decided to offer in half loads only, and only on a limited number of half loads, available on a strictly first come, first serve basis.

To aid the process it would be appreciated if allotment holders could pair up for a load, or alternatively seek guidance from Tony Holbrook who can assist in the pairing process if necessary.

The loads will be delivered to the road ways, and from this point we must ensure that the loads are removed within 7 days from the deposit areas. We need to rely on all to ensure that an equal split is taken by pairs.

A half load of manure is £10.50, payable to the Melbourne Park Allotment Association or cash at the trading hut.

Please be guided that the seed order forms and payments are due to be returned by the 23rd October. Anybody who still requires a brochure can obtain them from the trading hut or Tony Holbrook, plot 45.

Completed seed orders should be deposited at the trading hut, or alternatively returned to Tony Holbrook or Karen Lawrence, plots 45, 24 and 13.

Please support the Allotment Association and the trading hut and return your completed forms as promptly as possible.

Order forms for potatoes, onions and shallots are now available from the trading hut, or alternatively can be downloaded from this site. All order forms should be handed back to the trading hut with a single payment by cash or cheque prior to November 20th, 2011. Orders can also be passed to Tony Holbrook or Karen Lawrence on Plots 45, 24 & 13.

It would be very helpful if orders could be placed as early as possible. Notices will be placed on the gates and in the trading hut when orders are available. Please support the Allotment Association and Trading Hut.

Seed Order : PDF Link
Mapa Order Form Without Wallis Bit 3

Arthur Cornell and the Allotment Association made the news a few weeks ago. Celebrating Arthur's 90th birthday, and his lifelong association with the Melbourne Park Allotments, the Essex Chronicle recorded the event, and the article above was splashed over the next week's edition. As the image suggests, the weather held fair for the day and a significant number of plot holders turned up to help celebrate in style.

A polite note to all members to put the 1st October at 10 in the morning firmly in your diaries for the Annual General Meeting. This is one of the most important dates in the Association diary and it is essential as many as possible make the effort to attend to listen to the news and events from the year past, and the plans and ideas for the year to come.

The allotment association also needs individuals to assist on the committee, without whom the association will not be able to function. your continued support is most appreciated. We are in the fortunate position that our facilities and activities are the envy of many, and we need to strive to ensure that we continue to engender a friendly cohesive group that looks after all our interests, and continues to develop and support the facilities that we have access to.

Earlier in the year the chairs and table outside of the members facilities were restored. Over the weekend the job was finished by Olivia, Carolyn and Karen who applied protective covering to the furniture, With John and Derek performing tea duties for the trusty trio. A big thank you to all. Photograph kindly supplied by Tony Holbrook.

Melbourne Park Allotment Association announce it's Annual General Meeting to be held at the Trading Hut on Saturday 1st October 2011. The Meeting is scheduled to start at 10 AM sharp.

Would all members endeavour to attend to enable us to report on our plans for the forthcoming season. Any members having items for inclusion on the agenda please contact Carolyn Russell, Plot 10F, Karen Lawrence or Tony Holbrook by 25th September 2011.

We need to increase the number of persons serving on the committee and would welcome any members who would be willing to help in this way. The Association can only function in the future with additional help. Again please contact Carolyn Russell, Karen Lawrence or call in at the trading Hut.

Arthur Cornwall reached a personal milestone, enjoying his 90th Birthday yesterday. Friends and colleagues from the Allotment Association got together and helped Arthur celebrate at the trading hut this morning.

Tony Holbrook presented brief details of Arthur's background, including his astonishing association with the Melbourne Park Allotment site. Tony commented 'We are fortunate that Arthur has such a long association here. He was enlisted with the Essex Regiment throughout the war, and served in the Middle East, The Italian campaigns, together with active service in Belgium and Germany some of the fiercest combat areas. When he demobbed in 1945 he married the love of his life Ada, and approached the council for an allotment plot on the newly opened Melbourne Park Allotments. He kept this and other plots until recently, but is still to be seen together with Ada, looking after the trading hut every Saturday and Sunday, and now tends the colourful 'garden' area in front of the facility which was previously overgrown.

Joyce Lawrence came out of retirement to produce and decorate a 90th Birthday cake, and various refreshments were provided. A great turn out from plot holders listened to Arthur suggest that his neighbour constantly asks him his age (3 times in the last week) and believes he has his eyes on his pride and joy stainless steel spade. 'I'll need to watch him', he commented before thanking everyone.

A chorus of happy birthday rang out after gifts were presented to both Arthur and Ada (who celebrates her own birthday next month).

Thank you most sincerely to all those that assisted and made the morning possible.

In addition to celebrating Arthur's birthday, the awards for the recent allotment competition were awarded, appropriately presented by Arthur and Ada. Arthur congratulated Carolyn on the award of best newcomer, and Ada equally presented Stuart with the best plot award, for which he has successfully won on more than this occassion.

A few images from the Coach Trip to RHS Wisley have been added. These have been supplied courtesy of Anne and Bill. Should anyone have any other pictures from the day that they would like to share with the rest of the members, then please do not hesitate to contact Karen Lawrence or Tony Holbrook.

Notice is given that the Allotment Association Annual General Meeting is scheduled for 1/10/11 at the trading hut, commencing at 10.00 hrs. This is the meeting that describes the previous years activities, and is an opportunity for you to air your opinions and views. Please put this date in your diary and make every effort to attend.

Stuart and Caroline were the pick of the crop following the judging for the annual plot holders award at Melbourne Park. Mr John Rouse from the Writtle Garden and Allotment society commented that he was looking for a good selection of vegetables on a tidy plot. Stuart was awarded the best kept allotment, and Caroline (10F) the best newcomer. Our congratulations to both.

John also made comment on the facilities that we enjoy on the site and was clearly impressed during the course of his visit.

Despite the unfortunate weather conditions, which saw rain prevail until lunch time, the feedback from a fully booked coach outing was very positive, with a view being taken that a similar excursion should be planned for the future.

Hot off the press. Please be guided that the annual judging of all cultivated plots will take place on 30th July, all plots being assessed by an independent judge. There are two distinct categories - (1) for those plot holders who held their plot prior to January 1, 2010,and category (2) for those plot holders who took the plunge and a plot after January 1, 2010.

There are one or two plots featured in the galleries (allotment pot pourri).

Could everyone please ensure that their plots are clearly numbered, and there are trophies (cups) for the winning plot holders. Best of luck to everyone concerned.

In an attempt to avoid having to weed a plot of land, the resident photographer has taken some further 'snaps' and added these to the site galleries, with a couple added to the home page. Please don't forget that there is an identity parade, and anyone who can identify some of the beasties or items displayed, please don't hesitate to contact us via the web site, or via Karen and Tony so that we can correctly label.