This was another successful event, with a stream of plants carried in and out by happy tenants, new and old.
Thanks to Noel Perkins for organising the event, Margy Perkins and others for the tasty array of snacks on offer, and Andy Freeman for the constant supply of tea and coffee, and offerings from his family barbecue.
This is the second year the event has been held, and is now a much-anticipated annual event.
Alan Pordage and family have cleared the stream by plot 14A, utilising the new facility to compost the bullrushes close by. This extends the section of stream opened up by Noel Perkins last year.
The committee have thanked the family on behalf of the membership for this welcome contribution to solving a long term problem. Medway River Board advisers to Swale have been unable to suggest any other alternative to the hard slog of cutting and lifting the reeds from this isolated waterway.
It is hoped to clear the two remaining sections at each end of this waterway later in the year, to restore the active flow.
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.
Andy Freeman has submitted a photo of the newly hatched cygnets bred by the pair of swans which recently arrived on the streams.
As in previous years, Vicky Ellis will bringing bagged manure to site this saturday at 3pm.
Manure is 50p a bag as before, delivered to your plot.
To pre-order and avoid disappointment, ring Vicki on 07506 190675 during the day, 01795 532400 evenings. If she does not answer during the day while she is working, leave a message of try again.
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.
Simon Picot and John Guthrie teamed up to install new fencing to the new allotment entrance and to fill gaps around the main weir this week.
Sally Kerin has thanked them for their brilliant work. Maureen on plot 25 is particularly pleased as there is now a clear boundary to her plot by the carpark.
Simon and John, with his partner Maya, are tenants of the new allotments and have been actively involved in the completion works since occupying their plots a few weeks ago. Both have got stuck in to preparing their ground, despite the dry weather making the going tough. John has a deadline as Maya is six months pregnant.
The latest site poster can be viewed from link below
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.
Stonebridge Allotment Society 