General News

Last years joint winner of the best Allotment, Peter Caffrey kindly penned an article for the website. One of the plotholders with the longest association with the site, we were provided with a bit of insight into his activity. The latest article, is a must read, with lots of information, tips, hints or how to's in terms of Peter's growing calendar.

I maintain two full-sized 10 rod plots, assisted by good friend Dave Wallace, who keeps the grass cut, waters while I am away, enjoys the DIY and generally keeps things neat and tidy. I dare not set out a crooked line!



With the prevalence of destructive wildlife on the plots it has been hugely beneficial to have robust barriers in place to enable the successful growing of such vulnerable crops as sweet corn, peas, brassicas and soft fruit. We have constructed 2 more small scale barriers which means we can follow correct crop rotation.



Thanks to a gift from Ray Lawrence the first attempt growing tromboncinos was a success. It was a bonus that, as well as adding to the menu it also proved to have excellent storage qualities.

This year looks like it is going to be a bumper year for our Kent Cob Nuts. (Due to previous surplus we are still eating nuts that have been 3 years in storage.) Nature never fails to impress as the male hazel catkins reach peak pollination just as the tiny red female flowers emerge on the branches to grow on to be this year’s cob nuts. Next winter it will be time to reduce the size of the two original trees so we have allowed 6 new shoots to develop from the base of the trees to replace the mature trunks that we will remove. The year after we will do the same with the other two trees which were grown from cuttings from the original trees. The mice help themselves to the ripe nuts. They eat some immediately, but others they bury. They forget where some are stored and the nuts germinate and grow. I retrieve these and pot them up to grow on. If anyone would like two plants ( two are needed for cross-pollination) please let me know. As the plants have been raised from nuts the resulting plants will revert back to hazel trees as opposed to true Kent Cob nuts, but nevertheless produce a very worthwhile crop. If the saplings had been grown from cuttings they would be true Kent Cob nuts.



Also with an eye for renewal 4 blackcurrant cuttings, 2 josta berry cuttings and a gogi berry cutting are being established to replace ageing parent plants. In addition to the 9 blueberry plants in the main cage, 6 others have been planted in the wired polytunnel. 3 of these are in the shaded side and do not look happy and so will be relocated. 6 other developing blueberry plants are also now ready for planting in ericaceous compost. Cuttings will again be taken from the most productive plants in July. The main blueberry area was restructured in March with new membrane laid to reduce maintenance and 9 pots were re-positioned.



A new strawberry bed was established using runners from the best of the now ageing strawberry plants in the existing bed. Two years ago this new bed’s development was started by becoming that year’s compost site. The year after the compost had matured sufficiently to grow the season’s courgettes prior to becoming the fertile new strawberry bed.

Although last year was a bumper year for soft fruit as well as apples, pears, plums and cherries, the apples were badly infested with codling moth larvae. To remedy this a winter wash has been applied as well as circling every tree trunk with a sticky collar.

Garlic was planted in late Autumn. The best cloves are saved each year, only from the very best specimens which I have developed over many years from the original stock “SOLENT WIGHT”, so they have become very well adapted to the conditions on the allotment and produce a good yield of long storing cloves.

To feed my obsession with growing peas 4 trenches have been dug out in the main cage to a depth of 2 spades, manured and covered over to settle before sowing. The first row was sown and protected with cloches in early February with the hardy, round seeded METEOR variety. I find this has better flavour than the other hardy variety FELTHAM FIRST. For succession, in early March the next row was sown with wrinkle seeded, sweeter ALDERMAN – a 6 foot tall variety that will take longer to crop. Next will be the best flavour of all – HURST GREEN SHAFT. So sweet the birds would devour it if it were not under protection of the cage.

Cloches have been in place for several weeks warming the soil in preparation for sowing of salad crops. Successional sowings of broad beans are established. Onion sets and shallots are in the ground. Autumn and Summer raspberries along with all other soft fruits have been pruned. Asparagus beds and raised beds have been mulched with manure. Potato trenches have also been manured in preparation for seed potatoes. A row of LADY CHRYSTL and a row of ARRAN PILOT were planted 2 weeks apart (Early and Mid March). Later plantings will be CHARLOTTE and DESIREE.



A new rhubarb bed was planted with 3 different varieties last year as the original rhubarb bed is ageing. The old crowns are now covered by bins to force the last crop before being dug up to create more space. I only force crowns that are over 2 years old and after cropping the forced rhubarb I do not harvest any more for a while to allow the crown to recover. After this year the forced crowns will no longer be productive enough to justify their space.



The next direct sowings will consist of:
Broad beans – AQUADULCE then EXHIBITION LONGPOD
Lettuce – LITTLE GEM and TOM THUMB
Radish – FRENCH BREAKFAST
Carrots – AMSTERDAM FORCING then EARLY NANTES
Beetroot – BOLTARDY then DETROIT GLOBE
Spring onion – WHITE LISBON
Onion – RED BARON and STURON
Parsnip - GLADIATOR
Potatoes – LADY CHRYSTL and CHARLOTTE
HOME GREENHOUSES – currently hold the full range of brassicas, lettuce, beetroot, spring onion, onions, leeks, sweet peppers, chillies and 5 varieties of tomatoes. Later sowings will include cucumbers, squash, pumpkin, courgettes, runner and French beans.
MARCH 2021

Once again a huge thank you to Peter for contributing his thoughts and activities and hopefully we can catch up with his growing successes during the year.

2021 will be great !!

Last year was great. So much time and brilliant weather. The only retreat in lockdown. Somewhere to go,a routine, sharing ideas and learning from others. My allottment was an escape ! A sanctuary and a place to reflect. I’m sure my wife also appreciated me taking a flask, giving her space and going off to work the land with a purpose. We all needed space and of course there was always the news to take home.



What was growing well and what had failed . What had to be eaten, frozen, given away or thrown ! She of course found it fascinating...sometimes !! It seems so long ago now ! My fellow allottment holders shared their knowledge and I planted and harvested so much, far more than my family and neighbours at home ever needed. Everywhere was tidy. At the end of the season all was organised for the coming year, every weed removed, all beds dug and manure spread. Seeds have been bought and where to plant everything has been considered.



My target for this year is simple ..

Can I have a similar and productive allottment post lockdown when life returns with all its other demands and interests? Instead of daily visits can I come down 2/3 times a week ( unless there is a drought ! Again ! ) and not only work hard but take the time to relax and enjoy the plot?

To achieve this I’ve prepared everything in advance.

Potatoes are chitting in the polytunnel. Compost is organised. Beds for each crop have been considered. Canes and supports are in now. Land not manured have been dug and raked. All weeds, well most, have been removed.

I intend to cover some areas with sheeting,to plant squashes, marrows and courgettes. These will be in different areas to last year. The general organisation of last year will be repeated, saving time by just getting on with it. I loved companion planting, marigolds, sunflowers, and nasturtiums. Good for the plot,and wildlife but also more colourful. Something to look at when there is time to sit and enjoy a mug of tea.



In one poly tunnel I will plant varieties of chillies. This was my most successful crop to my surprise last year. So many picked,eaten or frozen whole and still being used. A friend took lots of them and made chilli jam. Wonderful ! My other poly tunnel will once again have varieties of tomatoes. Everything is ready now. I’m trying to sort things out now rather than March where the focus will be on planting and hoeing !! The last job after every visit will be to hoe all 3 allotments - 20 minutes. Those weeds will not be allowed to win !! I will ensure that I space crops out to support this.

I’d like to plant even more potatoes, another 2 rows and we wouldn't buy any from the shops ! I’ve learnt at last how to grow Brussels properly, I will repeat what I’ve learnt. Everything will be labelled so I can remember what I’ve enjoyed and what I’ve planted ! All this advice was given to me last year. In addition and finally, every time I think I want to plant something, I will make myself wait a week and take my time. Planting successfully saves time and money.



2021 will be a good year for so many reasons. What worked last year may not be as successful again but I look forward to that first asparagus crop, Pentland potatoes , and broad Beans. I can’t wait !

The Association is once again thankful to Kevin for sharing his thoughts on how he got along last year, together with his plans for this. In addition, Kevin was nominated along with Peter Caffrey as the Best Plots in the Annual competition last year. Peter has also kindly agreed to share his thoughts with us, look out for this in future posts.

We remain grateful to everyone who has contributed articles for the website, and if you would like to take part and share your views with us, please get in touch via the website or through Ray and Karen on site. We'd be delighted to share your growing plans, pains, and equally successes!

Trading Hut - Re Opening 18th April

In light of the government roadmap to exit from the COVID Pandemic, we plan to re open the trading hut from Saturday 18th April. The usual trading times between 10am to 11am on Saturday and Sunday Mornings. However, the trading hut will continue to be subject to specific conditions to ensure we protect everyone in relation to the COVID pandemic.

- all members / users must wear a face covering or face mask before entering the trading hut.
- please be patient, we will operate a 'one in, one out' scheme so we can effectively consider / manage social distancing requirements. To be clear one person only in the trading hut in addition to the volunteer (s) manning the facility.
- we would urge all members / users to refrain from touching or handling any of the items for sale.
- if you have any symptoms at all, or have been in contact with anyone displaying symptoms, please do not enter the trading hut or allotment site.

We hope to be able to further relax the conditions, strictly in line with ongoing Government guidelines and sincerely hope everyone can understand the requirement for continued caution. We take the opportunity to thank everyone for their patience up to this point, and your ongoing co - operation and support.

Just a reminder that despite the lockdown, the trading hut is still able to provide all your allotment needs. As previous notes, please get in touch with Ray of Karen, who will let you know when they are on site to allow collection of your order.

The trading hut has an array of fertilisers, soil and plant feed, canes, timber, netting and fabrics available. Potting and Ericacious compost, vermiculate and this year we have added Potato fertiliser to the products on sale. This mix is specifically formulated to assist the growth of potatoes, rather than a general fertiliser.



A variety of other accessories, from gloves, string, plant labels, to wild bird seed can be purchased. We are hoping - along with everyone else - for some positive news from the government over the coming weeks in terms of social distancing, which may in turn allow us to re - open more normally the trading hut. In the meantime, we would like to take the opportunity of thanking everyone for the continued support of the Association trading hut.

We are pleased to announce the Annual Allotment Competition will take place again this year, with the judging to take place on July 17th. This event was one of the few things we could safely accommodate during the lockdown last year, and with a number of new members, and seemingly a lot of additional activity on the plots, we really gave the judge something to think about in terms of how good all of the plots proved to be.

Our judge last year, Steve Withers, commented on what a tough time he had reaching his decision as the standard of plots were high, and had never seen the overall site looking in such good shape.

As usual there are two categories, the first for members of the Association less than 18 months, and the second for those more experienced plot holders who have held their membership for greater than 18 months.

Whilst the summer months may seem a long way ahead at the moment, they will shortly be upon us, and the very best of luck to everyone.

Following the first instalment, we head straight to the experimental or unusual vegetables for this year which proved to be a bit of a mixture. We decided to grow chick peas, which are not supposed to be the easiest crop to grow, another attempt with Edamame beans, which seemed to thrive the previous year, together with further tromboncino’s which were prolific the previous year and tried a different variety. Whilst not really an experimental vegetable, we planted a couple of Marquis de Provence squashes, and these produce 5-6 really large fruit each weighing almost 18-20 lbs.



Finally, I was desperate to try growing some peanuts, having watched a plot holder in the Midlands turn quite a large area of his plot over to the crop, and started in the poly tunnel. Unfortunately, the mice really liked the peanuts, and despite various attempts chewed through the base of the roots and dug most up, so preventative measures were required, further plants sown, and eventually managed to get 18 plants to prosper during the course of the year. The outcome for the peanuts was eventually very disappointing, and whilst we did harvest and indeed eat several nuts from our attempt, the productivity was a little shabby, which is probably more a measure of my lack of knowledge of how to cultivate them.



Similarly disappointing were the chick peas, although we did manage to get quite a considerable crop from one of the raised beds, it was probably insufficient to consider them as a principal item to grow. The peas have been kept and planning to plant next year or maybe the year after to see if we can improve on the output.

The Edamame beans, supposedly not susceptible to disease, rust or other, proved not to be, and most failed this year, and once again plan to have another bash with these next year. The Cavalo, Buttonhole Kale, and the Trombo’s have been prolific, as were the Marquis squashes already mentioned.



One of the other experiments tried this year was Kallalloo. These colourful spinach like plants were suggested to be ideal pick and come again style growers. Whilst they did produce, and come again (and were very tasty), not sure these are sufficiently voluminous to warrant space to grow seriously apart from personal interest, they also had a magnetic effect on slugs and snails and some pretty serious preventative approaches were required to stop the junior and then slightly bigger plants being demolished.

At the start of the year, quite a bit of energy was invested in measures to protect the plot from the ravages of the ever increasing population of black and white fiends at the base of the allotment site. This seemed to work quite well, although the defences were breached on a couple of occasions as the Badgers went after a couple of bees nests in the manure bins.

In addition to the crops grown, tested and tasted, the plot welcomes a host of varied wildlife through the year, and a further article featuring some of the visitors to the plot to follow.

Planning is now well under way for the fifth season for project 63. A trailer load of manure has been delivered and just requires spreading (no digging on site - which is a joy for the back!). Garlics, normal and Elephant together with Broad Beans have already been planted in anticipation of another bumper year in 2021. The only difficult thing now is what experimental vegetables to grow. Having got carried away and grown multiple crops over the past 3-4 years, it’s proving quite difficult to decide exactly what to try next. It may be this year, we just stick to the ordinary, and leave the extra ordinary.

A new year has arrived. January is not the fairest of months, and as I tend to be a bit of a warm-weather plot holder, proves to be a month of essential tasks only, including any maintenance. Some early sowing took place in early November, Broad beans, garlic and elephant garlic, and a delivery of well rotted manure from December is now in the process of gradually being spread across the plot under the watchful eye of a friendly robin (pictured above).

It occurred to me during this tedious task of the remiss approach to updating information for the project in 2020, with no posts undertaken. One of the principal reason for this is the generosity of Association members in their willingness to contribute articles for the website, and we have had some amazing and humorous compositions to keep us all smiling during the course of this year. From badger averse gnomes, to shed alarms and annoyed neighbours, to the inability to complain due to new neighbours now taking good care of the plot next door. These articles have provided a little insight into the community on site and have proved popular.



Despite all this, project 63 has ticked over through the year, with no disruptions for the cricket world cup as last, and even managed to get Sanctus, the charity this project principally supports to contribute an article to the web site detailing what happens to the produce we donate.

Generous donations from various plot members, together with the Wilderness Foundation have once again expanded the contribution, which at the height of the growing season can reach 11-12 mushroom trays full of fruit and vegetables.

As various readers of previous posts will know, the project is also used as an excuse to grow some more experimental crops, this year being no exception, and the relative successes and failures will be included in this and future updates for the project all of which take a view of the year. There are a couple of instalments.



This year of course has been a really strange year, with COVID, lockdown and various restrictions on general society prevailing. However, right at the very outset the government expressed how ideal Allotments were in terms of allowing for personal exercise and by their very nature the ability to social distance, and the site as a whole saw various new members, plus perhaps a little more input to the various plots than previous years. A host of positive commentaries through the year were overheard about how good the site looked.

As with previous years, project 63 was divvied up to ensure the most productive vegetables took priority. Broad beans and garlics, planted late the previous year, followed by early potatoes, and then other varieties to follow, onions generally the starting point for the growing year. Broad beans were planted where the raspberries had been dug out the previous year (their lack of productivity a significant factor), together with parsnips a little later to make use of quite a considerable area. Alex donated a couple of Cavalo Nero plants, plus Kalettes which along with Edamame beans made up the far side of the plot together with 10 new Glenn Ample Raspberry canes.



Two complete raised beds of carrots were sown, together with a bed of elephant garlic, and once the garlic removed, a host of dwarf beans, radicchio, beetroots followed on to allow a constant supply. The other side of the plot constituted various squashes, courgettes, tromboncinos, runner bean tepee, fennel, celeriac, sweet corn, Cavalo nero and buttonhole kale. The real star though was completely unexpected, and a donation from the Wilderness Foundation of a Jack O Lantern pumpkin which I was going to grow to carve for halloween turned out not to be as described, and was in fact an Atlantic Giant, and with very little attention grew, grew and continued to grow.

The poly tunnel housed various different varieties of tomato, and a host of beauty belle peppers which year after year have proved to be very productive. The last part of space in the poly tunnel was given over to one of four experimental crops this year, details of which to follow.

to be continued......

Despite the inclement weather, and perhaps the January blues, life on the allotment continues. This is generally the time of year not for the faint hearted on the plot, with various repair jobs and general maintenance undertaken.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been various pallet deliveries (we don't know who the generous donor is), and Foggy has left various pots of herbs in front of the trading hut which were very quickly picked up.

A huge thank you to both or all those who continue to support the Association and its members. Truly appreciated.

Before the Christmas period and subject to easing of the situation in respect of COVID we were planning to re open the trading hut early January. However, it will be no surprise to anyone, following the latest government announcements and restrictions in terms of 'lockdown', we have taken the decision this is now not possible and the requirements prevent us from re - opening until further notice.

As previously if there are any urgent requests, please contact Karen or Ray, who will organise to make product available on a collect basis as and when we are on site.

As soon as there is any further news we will update and advise

We hope everyone is safe and well.

The Melbourne Park Allotment Association regrets to advise a couple of sad pieces of news in respect of two long time members of the Association.

Peter Fox sadly passed away prior to Christmas. Peter was a long standing plot holder, with almost 50 years on site. An original committee member, he could always be relied upon for a chat, especially about the state of local football. Karen and Tony attended his funeral service on behalf of the Association.


Peter Fox enjoying a cup of Tony's mystery brew at the mince pie and coffee morning, December 2014.

On Christmas Eve, Ada Cornell, wife of our Honorary President Arthur Cornell, sadly passed away. Arthur and Ada had an enormous influence and relationship with the Allotment site, having tended plots since 1947 when Arthur de-mobilised. Ada was heavily involved in the local Chelmsford shows and competitions on behalf of the site, as well as competing on her own behalf. The Association still holds various trophies recognising Ada's winning contributions. Ada also acted as the Association secretary when it was re established 17 years ago and was always at Arthurs side in the trading hut, come rain, shine or snow.


Ada cornell.

We have sent our sympathies and best wishes on behalf of the Association to the families and friends of two wonderful individuals who both had such a long standing relationship with the Melbourne Park Allotment Site.

As an unusual and unique COVID dominated 2020 comes to a close, we hope everyone had a great Christmas and we take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy and above all healthy 2021.

Whilst not strictly allotment business, we are fortunate enough to see quite a variety of wildlife on site, including various bird species, finches, robins, tits, and woodpeckers amongst others.

The good folk on plot 111 sent a reminder to the Association in respect of a recent RSPB announced promoting the Great Garden Birdwatch to take place over the weekend of 29th to 31st January, with registration starting on the 9th December. This notice is for anyone who would like to get involved and take part.

The Manure deliveries for this year have now taken place, albeit spread over 3 days not two days due to problems with the trailer. A huge thank you to Peter Hunnable for organising on all members behalf in pretty cold, miserable conditions.

If there are any deliveries which straddle pathways or roadways a quick reminder to everyone to ensure these are moved within 7 days.

Despite the move announced by the government from lockdown to a tiered system, we have taken the decision to keep the trading hut closed until after the Christmas break. We intended to close for two weeks over Christmas as previous years.

We are considering the possibility to re - open early January and will post further information via the web site.

As has been the case over the course of the pandemic ravaged year, Karen and Ray can be contacted (via their mobile phones or the website contact page) and will open up for any purchases when they are on site.

Peter Hunnable has been advised the dates for delivery of manure orders has changed to Monday 30th November and Tuesday 1st December.



A polite reminder if there is restricted access to your plot and delivery is made on a pathway or road you must clear to your plot within 7 days of delivery.

A huge thank you to Peter Hunnable for organising the deliveries once again on our behalf.

Peter Hunnable has been advised the dates for delivery of manure orders will be Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th December. We do not have any indication at this point in terms of what order the deliveries will take.



A polite reminder if there is restricted access to your plot and delivery is made on a pathway or road you must clear to your plot within 7 days of delivery.

A huge thank you to Peter Hunnable for organising the deliveries once again on our behalf.

Following the latest government announcements in terms of Lockdown and closure of non essential facilities, we have regrettably taken the decision to temporarily close the trading hut in line with this guidance - at least until December 2nd.

However, if you send a message via the website or phone Karen (07919 083234) / Ray (07774 985144) in terms of purchases we will organise to make them available, on a collect from the hut basis.

We will phone anyone who orders to let you know when we are next on site so you may collect at this time.

Carefully managing all the requirements for social distancing, the trophies and certificates for this years Allotment Competition were awarded this morning. On a day blessed with sun (especially after all the recent rain), Alex Horne awarded the winners of the Best Allotment to Kevin Baskill, joint winner with Peter Caffrey (who was unable to attend), and the Best Newcomer to Alan Howell.





Places in the Newcomer category were awarded to Gemma Baldry (2nd), Sally, Dawn and Laura Turner (3rd) with the Marconi Belles on plot 111 highly commended. In the over 18 month category Peter Hunnable collected a certificate for third place and Josie Rawlings plots were highly commended.

A huge vote of thanks to Alex for organising the event for us, and marshalling our Judge Steve Withers on the day who commented (as an ex member) he had never seen the plots and site in general looking so good.

Thank you for everyone for being patient with all the 'distancing' requirements,

After all the miserable wet and windy weather which greeted the end of September and beginning of October, we thought it would be good to bring a little bit of sunshine through the website. Earlier in the year we caught up with Liz Sutton who kindly agreed to pen an article for the website. These are Liz's thoughts.



My Little Bit Of England.

It all started back in 2005 when my son, Simon, who was not working at the time, volunteered to assist on the MIND allotment at Melbourne Park. He used to cycle there and enjoyed helping the other members tending the plants, digging, weeding, planting and clearing. He had become quite involved and went every week, and on one occasion returned home and told me all about it. Next time he visited I decided to see what they were all up to and was surprised and delighted to see what was growing on their plot. The friendship and fun they all had was great and I thought I could grow a few vegetables............

I applied for a half plot from Chelmsford Borough Council and was surprised that it was not an expensive undertaking........especially if you are over 60-. The plot was rotavated and then I covered it with membrane to keep out the weeds. I then decided that I could only cope with cultivating a little piece of the plot at a time so uncovered a small amount of membrane at a time when I was ready to tend the ground.



My grandfather, uncle and cousin were all farmers so this is my LITTLE BIT OF ENGLAND, following in the family tradition........... A patch I can grow whatever I like. I now have a large patch of raspberries and, strawberries: and this year I am also growing tomato plants, runner beans, garlic, cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots.



When I have used, frozen, or given away the produce on my patch, the bare patch is covered again with the membrane to lock in the goodness and let it rest..........or am I just a lazy gardener????

People at the site are really helpful and if you want advice other allotment holders are happy to assist. There is a great feeling of family there and often a swapping of produce takes place.

What happened during lock down? I didn’t go near my site for the first 8 weeks and concentrated on decluttering at home and tidying the garden........ (I’ve done my bit there too with a log pile, small pond and a wild flower patch),

When I returned you could have easily mistaken my allotment site for a flower meadow, lovely, but not useful at all. The pretty grasses over shadowed the raspberries and nettles grew with great vigour. My daughter, a nutrition consultant, had a lot of spare time, unable to work because of Covid virus volunteered to assist. With the problem of a torn tendon on my right shoulder some of the work involved on the plot was very painful to do and she was a tremendous help with assisting. We set a plan in motion...........a little bit at a time........... the grasses were cleared, the edges were cut, and soon there was room to plant and sow. I cannot believe what we have achieved in a few short sessions and weeks.......... now the tomato plants have flowers and the runner beans have baby beans forming.........it’s an exciting time now.

And what is more exciting is Amber has gone home with some blue pots given by John and is making a small vegetable gardens in them. She has a tomato plant, carrots, lettuce as well as lots of herbs I have given her. She was off the other day to get some soil from B &Q so I think she is hooked. I am so delighted; there are so many benefits from gardening as well as some lovely produce.



Some things I have learnt while having the plot
1 I have been called “Half Hour Liz”........as that is the maximum amount of time I used to spend on the plot at a time.......... don’t overdo it........you won’t want to go back another time, but to go regularly.
2. Always work out before you get there what the plan is for the day.........stick to it and don’t digress otherwise it could be a lot harder to do it next time.
3, Clear the rubbish as you go...............
4. I don’t have a shed and take the tools from home that I need for each visit
5 I also grow my seedlings at home and take them to the allotment when they are sturdy enough to cope. (It can get very windy on the site).
6. Keep watering...............


Happy Allotmenting!!!

A big thank you to Liz and daughter Amber for sharing their article, 'My Little Piece of England'. Don't forget if you would like to share an article with the Association, get in touch with Ray or Karen or through the website.

We are again placing orders for Manure deliveries this year, although the supplier has advised a limit on the number of loads at 15. The price is £36.00 per load this year and we will be taking orders on a first come, first serve basis only. If you only need a half load, and can find someone to share with you, this would be preferred.

As with previous years, the delivery is normally made the first or second week of December, and you need to be available if possible at the time of delivery. It would be a great assistance if you could leave a contact number with Peter so we can communicate close to the time to advise the load is on it's way.

If the tractor cannot access your plot, the load will be delivered as close as possible to the plot and any delivery made to the roadways or natural pathways must be moved within 7 days of delivery.

Please contact Peter Hunnable for any further information, or enquire / place order with payment at the trading hut.