General News

We know the Annual General Meeting is the first date everyone looks for in the up coming calendar as a unique event to attend. However, in view of the situation with COVID, the restricted space available to us and the need to ensure social distancing prevails, we have regrettably decided it would be inappropriate to attempt to hold the AGM this year.

We will publish a summary of the year and some information on the website and leave a copy on the noticeboard, and will organise a stock check and complete the accounts in the same fashion. A copy of the financial statement will accompany the note.

All the members of the committee are prepared to stand for another year, and we are grateful for all the effort and energy everyone provides. We are still looking for a couple of volunteers for the committee, and if you believe you would like to get involved or able to commit some time and energy, please get in touch with Karen or Ray who can advise exactly what is likely to be involved.

We hope despite the unusual circumstances we find, everyone has had a great growing season,

As with previous years we will be organising for a potato order. This year we will be ordering two varieties of potato

- CHARLOTTE - white, salad potato
- SENTANA - Red, main crop

The price is the same as last year at £2.80 per 2.5 kilo bag. Notices will be posted at the trading hut together with an update on the website nearer the time with fuller ordering details.

For more information enquire at the Trading Hut via Tony or Karen.

We are planning to re - open the trading hut on Saturday and Sunday Mornings, between 10am and 11am. However, in view of the ongoing situation with the COVID pandemic, we will need to ask all members and users of the trading hut to abide by some very specific conditions if we are to remain open.

- 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.
- we would recommend all members / users bring a bag / box or other so items can be placed directly into the bag should you wish to isolate
- it would be preferable for the correct money or change to be available so we can avoid too much cash handling. There will be a pot or receptacle on the desk in the trading hut to place cash within
- 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 are planning to re - open on 12th September and we would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their patience over the spring / summer months.

Continuing our series of articles from members of the Association, we caught up with David Ling, ardent West Ham and Chelmsford City fan (has a lot to put up with). David has had a plot for in excess 10 years, and especially on a Saturday morning (pre COVID) you can catch him dashing in and out to ensure he makes it to the City Stadium in good time for kick off.

When I was a lad, we had a big garden and my dad had a vegetable plot. I remember getting a great thrill digging up the potatoes and seeing how many spuds had been produced from one small tuber. It was those memories which drove me to try for myself. I am now in my 11th season as a plot holder and I have seen many changes over the years.

Like new tenants today my plot was to say the least unkempt when I took it on. I had just retired and spent many hours turning it into something resembling an allotment and I can't have done too badly as I won Best Plot in 2012. I had no specific plans other than to grow fruit and vegetables, nothing exotic just traditional crops which is still the case today, I might have been a tad more adventurous but circumstances haven't left me the time to do so. It seems a little odd, but have a long pencil shaped full plot, two halves which span the mid section of the site. This is due to the plot immediately by the sides of my first plot were taken, and took the second half which naturally butted on, so long and narrow.



The site has had changes not least the facilities which we now have and praise has to go to Tony for that and latterly to Karen and Ray. Also many of the old allotmenteers have left the site or sadly are no longer with us. As a novice I received much advice from the likes of Stuart, Cyril, Doug and Arthur and I'll be eternally grateful to them. The new tenants seem much younger these days, probably because I'm getting older, and it's now me giving out advice. My advice to newcomers would be not to take on to much but do little and often - it's no good spending all day on a plot then leaving it for weeks. Crops need 'nursing', it is hard at times but very rewarding when you harvest fresh fruit and veg.



It's not all plain sailing though and there are some crops I've struggled with especially cauliflower and turnips - in fact I've given up the ghost on those and buy them in the market. Other frustations are the climate whereby Essex has the driest weather in the country which means lugging many cans of water around during the growing months. Also the wildllife especially those black and white fiends which is already well documented but they are a damn nuisance and the council are as much use as a third handle on a pot as I often tell them but they haven't evicted me yet so i'll carry on. Pigeons love brassica's and if you don't protect them immediately all you'll have left the next day is a few stalks. All in all though having an allotment is a very rewarding experience,

After a significant period of time, maybe 7 or 8 years, I now also have neighbours. I am not quite sure what to make of this, as they have both made great starts to their plot, and I am going to miss drafting cryptic messages to the council in terms of the state of the adjoining plots, complaining about the chest high grass and weeds encroaching everywhere. I even suggested on one occasion the committee were advertising Allotment Safaris on the plots - it was more like a savannah than an allotment!



My top tip to newbies (and experience members) would be that if you attend the christmas coffee morning in the hut don't take your car because Tony's excellent mulled wine is a tad potent!!! Indeed i don't know why it's called 'coffee morning' as i don't recall ever having coffee!!!

With grateful thanks to David Ling for sharing his thoughts with us. If you would like to participate and share your Allotment exploits with us, please don't hesitate to contact Ray Lawrence, project 63 or via the contact page on the website.

Whilst a little late notice, there is a nationwide Butterfly count taking place. It started Mid July and ends 9th August and anyone interested in participating in the latter stages can find out everything they need from the following link.
https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Just sit, watch and count for 15 minutes and help us take nature's pulse by joining the Big Butterfly Count. The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see.

Over the last few days we have regrettably had a couple of instances of non plot holders on site, some of whom believe it is appropriate to pick fruit, flowers or vegetables. If you should see anyone on site who you do not recognise please don't hesitate to challenge or contact Ray / Karen or a member of the Association committee (Alex, Kevin, Ian or Peter and Sybil).

In the meantime, we have become quite relaxed as a site in terms of closing the gates behind us, specifically with COVID in mind which is entirely understandable. At the time there were obviously less people about as the lockdown took effect, but now there are more individuals out and about, an open gate is almost an invitation to some.

Could we therefore please ask all members to close the gates when entering the site, and equally irrespective of who else may remain on site, close the gates on your exit. In late afternoon, please take the time to lock the gates, so we can continue to keep the site secure, and hopefully deter any further unwanted visitors to the site who wish to 'help themselves'.

Thank you in advance.

Over the last year or so many of the Association members have contributed articles to the web site. Keeping up on the theme, three grow your own ladies from the original Marconi Belles have now expanded onto plot 111 and dare I say 112 such is the enthusiasm. Not sure if Emma-Lou (pictured under) is helping - maybe preparing the ground -, acting as a foreman or supervisor, soaking up all the friendly vibes or just relishing all the attention!

A big thank you to Jenni, Juliet and Kate who agreed to let us catch up with their exploits through the year - and hopefully beyond.



In addition to this, the ladies have drawn interest from further afield with the Westcliff WI visiting the site to film the group's exploits. Please copy this link to watch the ladies on facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/844805056/posts/10163596751110057/?d=n

Take 3 ladies from the WI, who each have an idea about growing safe vegetables and salad, plant the seed of an idea about how to go about it, step back and see what happens.

3 ladies: Jenni, Juliet and Kate
Method: Charles Dowding No-Dig
Plot: 111

We are all 3 very keen to grow our own food. We were given the idea by Foggy from our WI to try the Charles Dowding method of No-Dig so we could produce harvestable crops quickly. 3 of us actually met at the Plot and having been given an idea for layout, we set about clearing the plot and building beds. The original idea was to have 4 beds up and running this year....... however! That quickly turned to 9 and then the squash & bean bed also got started! (To say we’re all a bit enthusiastic could be an understatement!)

We all had different gardening experience, dare we tell you, one of us had never grown anything from seed before?! We all have differing tastes too, but it just works. Through taking on Plot 111 we have all worked physically hard, grown everything from seed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The friends we are making from other plots too have advised, cajoled & commented, but particularly through this current situation it has been an absolute joy so far.....



We know we have made some errors and we are learning that the method used may be better on pre-weeded/cleared soil (we all hate couch grass!) and we are preparing a plan for crop rotation and better companion planting. Watch this space

This years Association Allotment competition was unaffected by the country wide pandemic, principally because the judging and assessment could be achieved maintaining social distancing. The competition this year was judged by Steve Withers, who has his own plot on Chignal Road, and took time out to cast his experienced eyes over our efforts.



Steve combined multiple plots to provide an overall assessment with a view in terms of the variety of produce, considering the impact of companion planting and the impact of flowers contribution to the overall view of the plot.

As a long time committee member of the Association, Steve commented on just how good the site as a whole looked, and the general high standards set overall. In relation to the plot holders who had been on site for less than 18 months, he commented on the number of recent new plot owners and the immediate impact most had made and whoever judged next years competition was in for a tough but exciting time.

After careful deliberation here is the overall result.

Under 18 months

Highly Commended - Kate, Juliette and Jenny , plot 111 and 112R
3rd place - Lost the Plotters, Dawn and Sally Turner, plot 10F
2nd place - Gemma Baldrey, plot 13B
1st place - Alan Howell - Plot 16

Over 18 months.

Highly commended - Josie Rawlings - plot 104F, 105R, 106R
3rd place - Peter Hunnable - plot 48 and 75L
Tied 1st place - Kevin Baskill, plots 76,77 ad 78L and Peter Caffrey, plot 73 and 74



Steve debated long and hard in terms of being able to separate out Kevin and Peter, and in his opinion felt it would be unfair to do so, and we are therefore left with a tie for the overall winner.



Hearty congratulations to all the above. A big thank you to Alex Horne who organised the event, and once again to Steve for sparing his time to judge the competition. Also a big thanks to everyone on site - the site as a whole is looking in the best shape we can remember and it was certainly the first thing Steve commented on.

The award of certificates and trophies will naturally be a little low key this year in view of COVID and will catch up with all concerned.

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.

John Lodge has held a plot on site for over 30 years, tucked away towards the Highfield Road Entrance. We caught up with John a few weeks ago and asked if he would mind popping some information across to us about his time on site. Here are his thoughts, and as with everyone who has taken part we are immensely grateful to John for sharing with us.


I first took on an allotment at Melbourne Park site about 34 years ago, prior to that I had one for a short period in Waterhouse lane next to the Parks department . My original plot at Melbourne was opposite plot 4 the one I have currently.( I can not remember the number but its beside the water tap and part of it is now being
as a car park).

It was in a very poor state , overgrown and plenty of stones.The council did not make any attempt to kill the weeds and turn it over. So it took me about six months to clear the weeds and get it in reasonable shape so that i could actually grow something.I think the first crop in was potatoes and I very quickly learnt that if i planted a white variety the slugs loved them.Ever since then I have always planted a red variety as main crop, normally Desiree.



After a number of years on that plot and many barrow load of manure later I did mange to grow a reasonable number of different vegetables , runner beans, french beans, peas, carrots , lettuce , beetroot , tomatoes, sprouting broccoli. The only soft fruit I had was three very scruffy Gooseberry bushes, which were stacked with fruit every year. They seemed to thrive on neglect. However the main problem with that plot was the massive number of stones and trying to plant fine seeds like carrot , lettuce was challenging to say the least.However in those days I never had to cover any green veg to protect against Pigeons and was never troubled by the dreaded Badger.Consequently I could even grow sweet corn, happy days.



I built my first allotment shed on this plot out of very large Marine Ply packing case, that I purchased from work for 10p. It was my pride and joy and was only pulled down by Chris Perrin last year, I told him that it had a preservation order on it and he should not have taken it down with out my permission. Unfortunately it was broken into three times with various tools and a new set of rotovator tines taken. In those days the fence around the allotment was very poor,far worse than today. As a result of the break ins I decided to build a shed alarm using a microswitch, 12 volt car battery and a very large 12 volt fire bell which I attached to the back of the shed. It worked very well ,until I had a phone call from a friend in Highfield road who said a bell ringing had kept him awake that night, was it anything to do with me. The strong wind that night had moved the door and set off the alarm. It was still ringing the next morning when I went to investigate. The moral of this is to get an alarm on your shed, but make sure the door cant blow open

In the early days the road ways around the allotment were very poor they were just earth, there was no hardcore on them like today. In the winter time many people had trouble driving round because it was so muddy, I remember having to tow a car out that had become stuck in very large ruts, so from that point of view there has been a great improvement in the road ways and the parking. I never really remember much activity in the trading hut until Arthur and his wife Ada took it over, not sure what year that was. Compared with the hut run by Tony and Karen today, it was very limited in what was stocked. This has to my mind been one of the most noticeable changes and improvements along with Association and all credit to them for their hard work throughout the years.

In the 1980's you were not allowed to keep chickens on site and very few people had Poly tunnels. However one chap did have a couple of Goats in a shed over where the Wilderness allotment is today, if I remember correctly they escaped on more than one occasion.

From memory a large number of plots were occupied but mainly by older males, there was very few females or young people.It was seen very much as an older persons activity and did not have the universal popularity it has today.

About twenty years ago I gave up that plot and moved onto plot 4F with my very good friend the late Derek Farthing on plot 4R ,when he became to ill to carry on I took over the whole plot.What a massive difference the soil structure was just moving over the other side of the road way. Very few stones ,no clay, nice and light what a difference.

The big changes over the past twenty years is that I now have to net every time I grow green vegetables, if not the lot would be eaten within days by the Pigeons. The other major problem I have is with the continual damage done to the crops by Badgers which seem to have taken over this part of the allotment. It seems to be even worse in the dry weather where they dig down in areas that you have watered. They also seemed to have developed a liking for carrots, last year they cleared a complete row and started to eat the new potatoes. Over the past couple of years I have planted new soft fruit both strawberry and raspberry, which seemed to be doing ok. However I have had to put a fence around them because of the Badgers. Five years ago I planted an Asparagus bed using crowns, the soil is good and I dug plenty of rotted compost first. After a couple of years of not cutting the spears it has produces a really good crop and is now one of my gardening highlights, when it come in spring. The big problem is that it has a very short season. I always try and use crop rotation to get the best yield and reduce the chance of potato blight. I have tried growing the more resistant varieties of potato but find the best results on my plot are Charlotte (salad potato) as early variety and Desiree as main crop.



Over the past years the weather has got warmer and the rainfall far less especially in the spring. So watering the plot is a big problem, more so when you get older, the taps that we have now are very tiresome. In the early days we had water tanks which were filled using a cistern, like a standard cold water tank in your house. These were removed when there was a change in the regulations, apparently they were concerned about the tank back feeding the mains supply and contaminating it. All it it needed was a simple non return valve on the mains supply.

Vandalism is still a problem on the site from time to time.Early this year I had one of my sheds broken into, nothing was taken ,they just smashed it to bits with a garden roller that I had stored in there. The fence along the south boundary is in a poor state, with much damage done by the badgers so it makes for easy accessfor vandals .

Once again, a massive thank you to John for producing this article for the website. Keep looking out for the features page as we catch up with other Association members to see if they too will share their thoughts with us.

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.

Last month we featured part one of the Marconi Belles journey. We left the story tantalisingly poised over winter, after a few unexpected hurdles had been overcome in relation to the extent of bind weed which stymied initial progress. We pick up the tale early in the new year (2019)......All words and pictures courtesy of Foggy Hau and the Marconi Belles


February 2019 and our thoughts turned to the Summer … we needed a polytunnel. We managed to get a secondhand large domestic polytunnel with the help of a grant from our WI.

On a sunny March day we had the wonderful help from the Chelmsford Probation Service with the construction of our lovely green polytunnel. The frame was up in a few hours, frame taped and cover on … it was all done by 2pm! We had great advice from everyone on the Allotment site about the details of polytunnel construction and siting. Thank you everyone who gave us the advice … it really made a difference to our success over the Summer.

We had nothing to lose in 2019 … our first Summer and we tried to grow everything. In both, the polytunnel and the raised beds, we grew tomatoes and cucumbers to see if the results would be different. We found the polytunnel gave us a longer harvesting whilst those outside had a sturdier growth however they still gave us a good harvest and enough to share around. Chillies and aubergines grew well inside the polytunnel even though we were late with planting them.



In the raised beds we had flowers for cutting, leaf beet, lettuce, spring onions, beetroot, carrots, peas, mange tout, herbs, raspberries, radishes, a bumper crop of climbing french beans (in one week we picked a total of 25kgs!) however the runner beans were not great. In the spare space within the membraned areas (at ground level) we opened up two patches and grew tomatillos, pumpkins and courgettes. We knew they would grow BIG from the results in 2018 so we made sure had plenty of space to wander around this time. We were watering anywhere between 2 to 4 times a week during the summer as the vegetables were growing away like crazy. Each time we would take home a bag or a sack of harvested fresh goodies. Let’s say we got creative with the gluts! As WI members we try to avoid food waste so our freezers, preserving pans and recipe files got busy … green tomato curry anyone?

We had finally settled into our little allotment by the Autumn and seen a whole season of growing. On reflection we felt it was a successful season … grew some veg; a bit of soft fruit; cut some flowers for the home; swapped fruit and veg with out fellow plot holders; and made time for a cuppa and shared our experiences together.


image courtesy of www.raylawphoto.co.uk

In October, at the allotment association AGM, we were awarded second prize for the best newcomer plot on site. We had set out to grow some bits and pieces for the year and steadily improve our plot over the years whilst supporting each other. To be honoured at this stage after 20 months was a pleasant surprise but not our goal.



In 2020, we have plans to improve our plot and expand our team … so watch this space!

Marconi Belles WI have a Facebook page and website. If any ladies would like to join a local WI (come along to a monthly meeting as a visitor) please contact via the Essex WI website www.essexwi.org.uk … we’re over 9000 members and 214 WI’s in just this County.

Project 63 was established almost 4 years ago with the purpose of supplying fresh fruit and vegetables to various charities, plus growing some more experimental crops which ordinarily most may not consider. In terms of the food donations, over the last two years our principal destination has been the Charity Sanctus, based in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, which offers day space for the homeless and vulnerable and provides hot and cold food, seven days a week.

A number of fellow plot holders also donated excess fruit and vegetables with project 63 last year, and we are planning again this year to supply Sanctus from Project 63 together with any additional donations from fellow plot holders. We thought it would be useful to let Association members know a little more about Sanctus, and Sandra kindly offered an article for the website together with accompanying images in terms of their activities.

The number of meals they provide per month is a staggering number. A big thank you to Sandra for taking the time out from a really busy environment to provide the details for us.

Before COVID-19 Sanctus was a day space for the homeless and vulnerable in Chelmsford. Sanctus offered free food and beverages from 10:30 till 5pm seven days a week. Sanctus is a registered charity and relies on donations, grants and internal fund raising to keep open.

Prior to COVID-19 Sanctus volunteers would collect unsold sandwiches and cakes from Greggs, Pret a Manger, Tesco Express and other supermarkets at the end of their trading day. These foods would be kept in a fridge in the free café and service users could help themselves. Occasionally there would be vegetables donated and we would use these in our meals. Every day a hot meal would be freshly prepared and served. I would be responsible for the menu but basically it would be very traditional home cooking such as cottage pie, roast dinner, Bolognese, curry, casserole etc.



In 2019 the Sanctus support hub opened upstairs to the café which provides information, therapies, addiction support, housing support, employment advice, courses in IT and other back to work courses and counselling.

Sanctus employs a handful of people but is reliant on volunteers helping in the café, support hub, collections and fundraising. Until this March our service users would come to the café to eat, socialise, get support and enjoy a safe space off the streets.

However, since the Corona virus we have had to close the day space and resort to a takeaway service. We have been providing a daily hot meal and the equivalent of a packed lunch so that everyone can eat later in the day. Every day we have sent 28-30 dinners to the hotel where many homeless people have been temporarily housed, fed a further 15-20 homeless who come to the café door and a further 20-30 vulnerable people who need food and use Sanctus.



We have been serving food that is easy to eat from a takeaway foil dish such as casseroles, pasta dishes, sausage and mash etc always including meat, carbohydrates and vegetables. We also need to cater for 3-4 vegetarians. I have to be aware of costs whilst providing nutritious meals and have learnt to be flexible always making good use of donations. So, if for example vegetables are donated I would use them as soon as possible as a main veg for the meal or if not enough I would use them to fill out a Bolognese or in a casserole, in a sauce or freeze them.



I think its important to see how valuable our services are to the community and how demand has grown, I have kept records since I started at Sanctus in April 2016.

In April 2016 we served 247 meals
In April 2017 we served 813 meals
In April 2018 we served 1295 meals
In April 2019 we served 1614 meals
In April 2020 we served 2123 meals


For more information about the charity Sanctus, its organisation and activities, please visit www.sanctus-home.com. All words and images courtesy of Sandra at Sanctus.

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.

Our friends at The Wilderness Foundation run a series of plots at Melbourne Park, called 'Down to Earth Allotments' and the area has a distinct variety of growing areas, and indeed natural spaces. Apart from the vegetables, fruit and various poly tunnels, there is also a log pile or beetle hotel, and a wetland area which was unfortunately sabotaged along with the damage incurred over christmas.

The foundation came to the allotments over 12 years ago and were motivated to make growing food more accessible to a wider audience, or for those with less time and financial resource to run their own allotments. They chose this location as it is close to their office at Chatham Green, and took over from a council run project in 2008.

The Down to Earth Allotment program is based here where we run six plots, opening them up to a range of community groups and schools.

Most of our young adult volunteers are living with mental or physical disability, and also use the allotment to engage recovery clients from Open Road (Drugs & Alcohol charity), MENCAP, New Hall School and Columbus School & College, catering for young people with complex and severe learning difficulties.

Currently the food grown at the allotment is shared amongst those growing it as the best way to learn where our food comes from and engage people with the subjects of nutrition and cooking.



The Covid outbreak has affected the Foundation project more harshly than it has personal plot holders, as the reliance is on schools, volunteers and others to tend and keep the project running. Jonathon has kindly provided the following article as an update on what they have been doing over the period and how they have managed.

Since the lockdown in late March we have been running the community allotments on a skeleton staff of Myself and volunteer Trudi Warner to keep it going through busy spring and summer months. At the beginning of the lockdown the allotments had never looked better due to the hard work of all the volunteers and participants, whether we will be able to keep it that way over the coming months is another matter but we will be working hard to maintain it as well as we can.

This spring was set to have record volunteer numbers with Honeywood school and Chelmsford College visits added to the existing groups and volunteers. We had a great start to March with James King (from Columbus College) being awarded for a volunteer award, with the ceremony being postponed till after the situation returns to normal.



We had repaired a lot of the damage done by vandles over the winter and were ahead of the game with planting early potato and a new Asparagus crop. Autumn raspberries and fruit trees had been pruned and the willow tunnel had been weaved and cut back. We have spread the compost heap to help with fertility and started to plant out Goosberry, Current and grape cuttings we did last autumn.

We have been sowing trays and pots of tomatos, leaks, beans, pumpkins, carrots, etc and planted extra Broad bean and spinach seeds that were saved from the previous year. We have created a new small pond on the plot (using an old header tank) and in recent weeks have been harvesting Rhubarb, Spinich, Purple Sprouting, Salad and the last of the leaks. Some of the Broad beans will be ready to pick next week. As the next few months will not have volunteers to share some of the produce we will contribute food (through the Melbourne Allotment association) to a food bank charity. We hope to get publicity through local media for the allotments and to encourage more people to grow food at home at this time of national crisis.



We look forward to the situation returning to normal in the late spring or summer and welcoming groups back to our project. We are grateful to the team who run the Melbourne Park Allotment Association for all their support and the wonderful team spirit from other allotment plot holders. We see this as an opportunity to get more people interested in growing their own fresh fruit and vegetables which also saves money and helps the participants remain fit and health. Anybody who wants to get involved with our community allotment project please e-mail or phone at the numbers below

To find out or discover more about the Wilderness Foundation, exactly what the charitable foundation represents, either speak to Jonathon Barker on 07939 561995, or visit their website www.wildernessfoundation.org.uk

Courtesy of Jonathon Barker, Wilderness Foundation.

In the second of our articles featuring new plot holders to the site we Caught up with Marcus and Lorna who took over their plot just before or maybe just after Christmas. We put some questions to them about their motivation and how they tackled the patch and here is what they had to say.

What prompted, or what was your motivation for taking on a plot?

A number of reasons really but probably the main reason was to have a joint interest with my mother (Diana) and wife (Lorna) who I share the plot with. Also I’ve lived in Chelmsford for about 5 years now and want to try and be a bit more social locally as all our friends live at least a 30 minute drive away. I think it’s a good form of exercise and it’s out in the open air. Having an allotment is good for the soul, good for wildlife and I feel like we should support allotments as otherwise they might get sold off for housing!

Have you previously had an allotment?

I used to live in Romford and had an allotment for about a year. However it was around the time that Lorna and I started looking for a house and so by the time it was cleared and dug over we had moved to Chelmsford so we gave it up. We did get a few onions, pumpkins and leaks off it before we left though!

What where your thoughts when you rocked up for the first time? 

I was really excited - the plot was a manageable size (although now I wish I’d got a larger one) – there was a shed(!) and a compost bin. There was water access near and it wasn’t under trees and the plot was generally in good condition. The site itself is also incredible with manure, mulch, a shop and a toilet/kitchen. My old site in Romford was far more basic and just had water.

Obviously there was a lot of clearing up to do - how did you tackle, And how have you determined what to grow. Did you or do you have a plan?

The plot was mostly grass and a small area of large herbs and some overgrown wooden box frames. I did a basic plan of what I wanted to grow – based on what we wanted to eat and things which we thought would be good/easy to start off with and then just got stuck in really.



The plot was long and thin so I started from the shed end and sort of marched up the plot. We were quite lucky as the first quarter or so had black mesh down so with 2 or 3 sets of hands we were able to pull up large areas of weeds and mesh to reveal top soil and compost underneath! We also inherited two lovely lavender bushes, a sage bush and Thyme (I love thyme – especially in chicken and leak pie!). So we cleared all these and replanted the herb bushes. Then little and often, I dug further patches of squares and rectangles based on my plan.
How would you assess almost your first quarters activity? are you on track?

We’ve had the plot about 3 months and I’m amazed at how well we’ve done. My main goal for this stage was to have made a bit of a dent in the digging and have at least have a few things in the ground but we’ve pretty much dug the whole plot now. We’ve got garlic - a kind donation someone on the site gave my mother, potatoes - a LOT of potatoes, onions, leaks - rescued from the garden and we didn’t expect much from but they seem happier in the allotment, and some more fruit bushes - although the raspberries don’t seem to be doing very much. We also have a bunch of stuff getting ready at home like beans, more herbs, Brussel sprouts and tomatoes.



Any advice you would offer up to fellow newbies?

I don’t think I’m experienced enough to give advice but I would say just get stuck in! Little and often goes a long way. Break it down into small chunks and take photos as you go. It really lifts the spirit to see how you progress. A wheel barrow really helped. Karen and Foggy helped get some cardboard. It was meant for ‘no dig’ but we ended up moving so fast we just used it to help subdue the grass. I’d be inclined to say get a full plot but it may just be that I should have got a full plot. It’s also worth having a look in the shop as there’s lots of stuff and very cheap - also Grenville nurseries is a good local garden centre and there is a discount for Melbourne members!

anything you would in particular like to know - there is a lot of expertise on the site to take advantage of

I hear a lot of talk about ph level of the soil and soil type. I gather our soil is clay (maybe the editor can comment?). Also if there are any social events planned like a summer bbq or communal clean up projects etc. I’m not sure really, and probably have a hundred questions but can’t think of them at the moment!

How have you found the allotment community on site?

Everyone is very friendly! It’s a busy time of year and what with covid lockdown it’s a bit quieter but hopefully this will all blow over and there will be an opportunity to get to know people better! Karen and Ray have both been really nice and everyone says hello. I’m loving the allotment and everything that comes with it.

A big thank you to Marcus and Lorna for taking time out to provide an article to share. What was a green patch of vegetation has been transformed in the first quarter, and hopefully along with other members they'll allow us to check in relating to progress through the year.

It's great to have new members to the site and last year saw between 8 and 10 new plots taken up and we welcome all of the new "allotmenteers". It can be quite daunting starting out especially if the plot is not in the best of shape. It's been really good to see the amazing progress which has been made on site by most. In the first of two articles from new plot holders, sisters Sally and Dawn give us an insight into their activity on plot 10F, the sign at the front - Lost the Plot - and confirm gnomes are not the right security measure against Badgers.

What prompted, or what was your motivation for taking on a plot?

I have always enjoyed gardening and have tried to grow vegetables in my garden, with mixed results. So I wondered if giving an allotment a go, would be a bit more successful. Having always fancied having an allotment plot, I discovered that, half plots available for first timers at the Melbourne Park allotment which is conveniently right next door to where my sister Dawn's flat is. So I convinced Dawn that we would share the plot with a promise that she would have a small area where she can have a garden chair and a few flowers as she does not have a garden of her own.

What where your thoughts when you rocked up for the first time? Does this have anything to do with the sign at the front of your patch?

There was a long time between the last owner and us taking the plot over and the weeds took advantage. We had waist high nettles, couch grass and the dreaded bind weed. Our Mum and Dad thought that we were both joking and a bit mad for taking on the patch, telling us they weren't going to help us, especially when they saw how over grown it was. So the sign was born and hand made by Dad, who loves a pun.



Obviously there was a lot of clearing up to do - how did you tackle, and then what did you decide about growing? did you or do you have a plan.

Despite Mum, Dad and younger sister, telling us both, that they were definately not coming over, they were over by day two, helping us to clear the plot and it has now become a bit of a family effort. There has not ever been a grand plan, we just started with the least overgrown area and cleared this first so we could get some vegetables going. As we got the plot in mid May and it took a few weeks to clear we brought some easy grow vegetable plugs - we like courgettes, runner beans, tomato's, leeks, also the classic carrots and beetroots seeds, so we could get some instant results and to make all the hard work worth while.



Then we slowly worked our way around the plot, bagging up all the weeds. There was so much of it we had to slowly sneak them to Dawn's flats rubbish bins to get rid of it, some of it we let rot in the bags so it would die and we could put it on the compost. Then covering over areas, when cleared with old ground sheets to try and suppress the weeds from coming up again until we could get back to that area again.

We have had some very kind friends and family help us out by giving us some stone paving, wooden collars and pallets, fencing, water butt, in exchange for vegetables, beer or a meal. Also great friend Ade who's a gardener by trade came over with his ladders and gave us a tree pruning lesson in exchange for Dawn cooking dinner. He is also always there on hand with the aid of what's app and face book with lots of encouragement and advice, as all our friends have been, as we have been documenting our progress light heartily on Facebook.

How would you assess almost your first year and what are your growing plans for this year - what are the ‘plotters’ plotting! - any specific aims?

We are really pleased with our progress with the plot, although it's been slow and has taken us almost a year to get it really ship shape. We aren't great planners more just giving a go, if it works, great, if it doesn't, oh well, but it will be good to grow across all of the plot this year. We recently brought a poly tunnel, so this year we are going to try and grow from seed. We already have some garlic and onions in, also are going to try a few brassicas, cabbages, red brussel sprouts, sprouting broccoli, and more salad crops, a bit more fruit, as well as your normal basic crops, onions, potato's, runner beans, French beans, sweetcorn, courgettes etc. Also that small garden area for Dawn to sit in.

Any advice you would offer up to fellow newbies?

Lots! We have made some classic rookie errors. Read the plant labels carefully, our sister Laura was not impressed that her bamboo wigwam structures weren't really needed as Dwarf runner beans aren't small runner beans, they are patio plants, not climbing! She did see the funny side of it eventually. Some crops need planting in stages otherwise you end up with a glut all at once - we had a lot of leeks. Two courgette plants feed a family of 5 and their friends and work colleagues and so do 12 runner bean plants. The badgers like carrots and munched happy through our first crop and they dug up every thing so we need to put in more badger proofing.

Also Rome wasn't built in a day so don't get disheartened. Work in sections, you get there eventually, little and often so it doesn't become a chore. Look around the site to see what other plot holders are growing which gives you a good idea on what crops are successful on the site, also how to construct stuff. What you can do with wooden pallets is endless.

Anything you would in particular like to know - there is a lot of expertise on the site to take advantage of - how have you found the allotment community on site?

Everybody has been really friendly. It's lovely to come over to the site and not only do some gardening, bu also have a chat and lots of people have given us some great advice. We have been surprised at how many people we already know and never knew they had an allotment. Our neighbouring plot holders have been very kind - we have been given plants, some beautiful dahlia's from Albert (Bertie) and tomato plants by Dave. Ray gave us some new veg to try, some Patty Pan and the Tromboncino fed all five of us for serval meals. The Trading hut is always a great help, there is a wide range of stock which is really useful, especially for us when we first started as didn't have a lot of equipment, and were able to ask questions. Being part of the Melbourne park allotment association has also been useful - the annual review committee meeting was light hearted and informative and we really enjoyed coming along to the annual mulled wine and mince pie event.

What’s the story with the gnomes?



Controversial I know, but you've got to love a gnome! Even if they only make some people smile. Although they have not proved to be very good night security guards against the badgers, they just fall over in fear!

A huge thank you to the "lost the plotters' for sharing their experiences with us and hopefully they won't mind too much if we check in for a catch up later in the year to see if Dawn has secured her viewing patch, and the Gnomes have become a little more robust against those marauding badgers!

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.