Another new social event planned for this year to take advantage of the abundance of unused apples seen around the site last year. Please come along and meet up with fellow allotment holders.
While apples are being processed, there will be a sausage BBQ to complement your picnic. Bring your own food and drink, watch how the pressing progresses, cadge some juice, and plan to join in a larger event, including a bigger communal press to be available next year.
At present, two table presses and a scratter will be available to process and extract juice from your clean, washed apples. You will be shown how to operate the equipment, but will need to bring containers for the juice.
If you wish to take the opportunity to juice some fruit, please contact the Secretary, details on CONTACT US page, to ensure there will be sufficient time and equipment for everyone on the day.
See the poster attached for full details.
apple-day-oct-16
Following the Committee meeting on 19th Septembet, a new information poster has been displayed. To review here see:
poster-19-9-16
This concentrated on completing the clear up of the orchard area ready for the October bonfire, plus planting of wild flower areas in the main drive. Thanks to Sally and Kieran Kerin, Adrian Ferrell, Andy Freeman, Marion Ripley, Noel Perkins, Louise Lees, Margaret Law, Bob Gomes and Isabel, and John Gould. The work party was great fun and made an enormous contribution to improving the site.
GRAND AUTUMN CLEARUP 16TH OCTOBER 10-12.30
The next work party is to take advantage of the bonfire. Please join us for a final clear up of the site.
This year the AGM will be held in the Guilhall on wednesday 9th November, at 7pm.
The hall has been arranged by Clair Belsom, Chair of FTC Allotment Management Group, and will be rent free. We look forward to a well attended and productive meeting in this historic venue.
The Annual Report and Agenda will be published nearer the date of the meeting.
The next work party will be on Sunday September 18th from 10am to 12.30pm
This will concentrate on completing the clear up of the orchard area ready for the October bonfire.
Work parties are great fun and improve the site for a few hours work. Please join us if you can. If you are interested let Paul Edmondson know so he can email more details near the time, but feel free to turn up on the day with shears, saws, rakes and barrows.
Rent notices have been prepared and distributed by hand to ensure they are received.
As noted in the last update, rents will be due on 9th October, based on £3.50 per rod, as agreed with FTC. A copy of the current Tenancy Agreement will included with the notice this year.
You will be asked to complete the tear off form and enclose this with your payment, plus an SAE if a receipt is required.
The Apple Day and picnic will be held on Sunday 9th October. At present, it is planned that two table presses will be available plus a scratter to mince the sliced apples ready for pressing. As this is a new venture, we have no idea how many people will participate, so if you are thinking of juicing this year, please let Paul Edmondson know, so we have an idea of numbers.
There will be a fully detailed poster nearer the time, but you will be expected to collect and wash the apples, then bring them together with containers for the juice. The fruit will be cut up on tables, passed through the scratter, then pressed.
Meanwhile, a picnic and social for the spectators.
On hearing of plans for a trial system, Cllr Ben Martin offered a water pump and hoses to compliment the storage tank previously donated. This was handed over to Peter Hill and Trevor Foster, who are setting up the trial.
Ben has since arranged for Parker Building Supplis to donate constuction masterials.
The members of the group, Claire Belsom (Chair), Ted Wilcox, Ben Martin, and Peter Flower, spent over two hours touring the site on Saturday 20th August. They showed great interest in the site, the improvements that have been made, those that are in process and proposed for the future. They now have some familiarity with the site, and an in depth understanding of the challenges associated with maintaining our unique environment.
We have been promised support and assistance. Help has been given with the planning permissions for the new fences and tree management, including providing the planning fees.
Another successful morning thanks to the efforts of the volunteers.
Sally Kerin took charge of the orchard area, assisted by Bob Gomes, brush cutter, Marion Ripley, Angela Smith and Andy freeman. Another large area has been cleared and piled ready for the bonfire in October.
Noel Perkins manned the punt by the long bridge to access the tree that had fallen in the water. This was cut up and brought to the bank for disposal by Kieran Kerin and Anthony Hall.
The most picturesque allotments in south-east England. A haven not just for gardeners but also for bees, butterflies and birds, particularly waterfowl.
Stonebridge Allotment Society 