The closing date for entries will be 8th October. A maximum of three entries per member should be submitted as prints to Noel Perkins, 72 West Street.
As this is the first year, the comments of the independent judge will be taken on board for future competitions. Winners will be announced in good time for the presentations at the AGM.
The work to the long bridge has now been completed and the bridge is in use. Improvements to other bridges have also been made by Swale as a condition of the transfer to FTC, including handrails and decking.
Tenders are being sought for the replacement of the defective bridge between plots 19D and 27B.
A reminder that there is to be an open meeting for members 26th July.
Following on from a successful programme of major works, the committee will update the membership on the progress with ongoing initiatives to improve the site. It will also be an opportunity to discuss other ideas to be put to the AGM in November.
Dont forget the plant swap.
This will be an opportunity to meet up with fellow allotment holders, swap plants and dispose of surplus seedlings. They will not go to waste and will benefit others. Last years event was well attended and enjoyed by all.
A copy of the poster displayed at all gates is attached.
Macknade Fine Foods are hosting an in store talk by Paolo Arrigo of Franchi Seeds on Thursday 20th April from 6pm. More details and tickets, £10, can be obtained by contacting:
http://macknade.com/community/whats-on/events/journey-seed-plate/
Franchi Seeds are one of Europes oldest seed suppliers, growing seeds in a similar climate to UK so they thrive here. They raise a huge range and are extremely good value in my experience.
The new allotments have been let following the site strip and levelling carried out by Kevin Nugent over three days with a hired digger. This vital task, which included sealing the leaking stream bank, transformed the site so it can be put in to use. The committee have expressed their sincere thanks to Kevin, on behalf of the membership, for his generous assitance.
The work party on 19th March included the new tenants who, with the help of Sally Kerin, Andy Freeman, Bob Gomes, Noel Perkins, Faye Boldt, Marion Ripley and John Gould prepared and laid the new main paths. Tenants can now work and enjoy their individual plots.
The remaining work is to repair existing and install additional fencing, construct the decking over the original leak location and provide a permanent security railing at the end of the perimeter wall.
The area has now been stripped of vegetation and levelled, the leak in the stream bank sealed, access path lines excavated, and the area rough dug with the digger.
Our own Kevin Nugent carried out the work with a digger from Faversham Hire last week. The committee are extremely grateful to Kevin for enabling this rapid advance in progress.
Setting out of plots will take place this week.
We will now be able to let the six new plots this coming weekend to the next group on the waiting list, who are all keen to help complete the work, starting with the laying of access paths at the next work party on 19th March.
The clean up on site this weekend was a great success. Over eighty bags of rubbish have been removed by BIFFA today.
Thanks to Sally Kerin for organising the event, Sandra Moriarty for help in clearing metal from the new allotment area, Hazel Grave, Keith Thompson, Ashley and Daniel Haines for clearing rubbish from around the site.
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS WAS A ONE OFF OPORTUNITY. NO MORE RUBBISH IS TO BE DEPOSITED IN NTHE ENTRANCE AREA.
METAL DISPOSAL
Metal can still be deposited in the enclosure at the end of the main drive ready for collection later this month. You will be advised when this facility is no longer available.
Work started today on the site strip and levelling work.
Sally Kerin met our volunteer digger driver, Kevin Nugent, at the outset and expressed our sincere thanks for giving his time and expertise to the project.
Kevin and his wife Sue joined us last year and have transformed their previously overgrown plot. He has has now retired and offered to undertake this major task so that more plots can be provided to meet demand.
The contractor completed the major tree work on 20.1.17. Our thanks to James Stickles of JBS Tree Services and his team.
Work parties on 22nd and 28th Jan, 20th Feb, piled the branches and lit bonfires to clear the site ready for the ground clearance and construction work.
Thanks to Sally and Kieran Kerin, Andy Freeman, Angela Smith, Laurence Young, Marion Ripley, Stuart Harrison, Noel and May Perkins, John Gould, Bob Gomes, Stephen and David Cornell for the work they contributed on the days.
The area is now cleared ready for the site strip. Work will start on 8th March.
Stonebridge Allotment Society 