Chairman’s Comments

Annual Plot Rents

As you are aware from the previous Newsletter and the AGM, the Committee has reserved the right to increase the plot rents slightly for the year 2008/2009 in order to meet increasing costs.

However I need to alert you to the likelihood that, for the year 2009/2010 and beyond, our costs are likely to rise significantly. At the moment, Bristol City Council currently allocate us £7,000 pa (deriving from previous sales of allotment land) by paying for work on infrastructure such as fencing, hauling ways, car parks, water systems, etc, but this is likely to cease on or after 2010, when all the money the Council received in the past will have been spent. We will need to provide replacement income for these types of capital works. Based on our current membership, if we were to continue to allow for a figure of about £7000 pa for infrastructure works, this could mean rents rising to something of the order of £30, £50 and £70 for small, medium and large plots (though the normal discounts would apply to those on limited incomes).

However, there are two factors at work here. First, on the negative side, we will have to budget for paying VAT on all works (at the moment the Council’s spending on our behalf does not attract VAT) in addition to materials and labour - which of course will have increased in 2 or 3 years’ time. Secondly, on the positive side, we are applying for grants to help with the repair and maintenance costs on fencing, water systems and hauling ways.

We understand that the Council is also considering the need to radically increase their rents in the light of funds from capital receipts drying up. Unlike us, they are not able to bid for grant money.

One particular source of concern is the water systems, which are both inadequate for our needs and are reaching the end of their life-expectancy. The experts tell us that they will probably have to be replaced within the next five years; so we would be wise to budget for that starting now.

Please read the rest of the information below and contact Angie Tonge, Bob Corfield or myself with your comments.

Grants

We are currently pursuing two grant applications and hope to get decisions on them by the autumn. One is to provide water butts and associated guttering so that all our sheds can collect rainwater, thus reducing water bills and carrying. Another is to provide new and enlarged water mains, more taps and water troughs; improved hauling ways; recovery of derelict land for more plots (should we be able to obtain the land, see below).

Additional Plots

Due to all available plots being currently let and a burgeoning waiting list, we are negotiating to obtain additional land for allotments at White City and Alderman Moores.

The possible White City land is owned by British Rail, who have given first refusal to Sustrans. We are investigating whether British Rail would consider making it over to Bristol City Council instead, so that we could lease the land from the Council.

Alderman Moores has some derelict land adjacent (previously allotments but reclaimed by the Council some years ago and scheduled for housing) and we have written asking for some of it to be returned to us for allotments because there are problems with developing it due to mine shafts. Some Councillors are supporting our request, but it would seriously help our case if as many people as possible were to write to the Council and demand that the land be retained for allotments. So much of our green space is being lost forever. And the demand for growing food small scale and locally will intensify as imported and mass-produced stuff becomes costlier as oil prices rise. But then where do you grow it? In window boxes? So please add your support.

Hedges

Regrettably, there have recently been cases of tenants cutting down hedges on the perimeter of sites. Whilst it is necessary to cut them back to reduce their impact on growing areas, if you remove them, the sites will be exposed to vandals (necessitating expensive and otherwise unnecessary fencing) and reduce the beauty and wildlife habitats on the sites. Please be careful. Sensible pruning is the key. As an alternative to costly fencing, we are experimenting with growing Pyracantha hedges, which will hopefully be decorative, attract wildlife and form a deterrent barrier - but they take a while to become effective.

Bonfires

Do be careful that bonfires do not cause offensive smoke both to other plotholders and neighbouring public (especially after the recent rains which will have dampened material). There is no surer way to alienate neighbours and find yourself in court. Better to compost!

Dogs

Dogs must be led on leads, and restricted to the Tenant’s plot. Other tenants do not appreciate dog poo on their paths, so please scoop it up, as on the street.

Site Inspections

As mentioned in the last newsletter, the cycle of site inspections started at the end of March. Inspecting teams were looking for clear signs that plots were under cultivation and that preparations were being made for seeding and planting in the Spring. They also looked for sheds needing attention and trees near walls.

Walls and Trees

Repairs are still under way on the dividing wall between Kennel Lodges 1 and 2; this costly work is mainly because of roots from nearby trees undermining the wall.

Hopefully all Members adjacent to all walls have been mailed regarding the need to remove all trees that are within 4 feet of the wall. If trees cannot be dug out, they should be felled and the roots treated to prevent re-growth. We sell Root Out in the New Store. Assistance, if necessary, is available through your Site Rep. Espaliers or other trained fruit trees are probably alright if grown on supports away from the wall (ie the supports are not directly attached to the wall and just use the wall for heat retention and reflection), but discuss this with your site rep if you are in any doubt.
Note that only fruit trees on dwarf rooting stock are permitted on allotments. Steps are being taken with regard to offending trees on the other side of our walls.

Bob Franks - Chairman

Bits and bobs from the AGM

This was the first year the AGM has been held in the New Store on Alderman Moore’s. It was packed and cosy!

Toilets are to be built in part of the old brick store next to the New Store. This will then enable the Association to run talks and courses for HwDAA members at the store.

Membership has increased 5.5% over last year, due to the continued strategy of only letting half plots to new unproven tenants. The waiting list exceeds 50. Most applicants want a plot on Meadows, KL1 + KL2, for which there is a wait of about 18 months. The Plots Secretary asks searching questions before putting people on the waiting list, to try to ensure that we only let plots to people who are committed, so we don’t have ‘failed’ lettings. It is important for neighbours to make new members welcome and, if appropriate, provide some mentoring.

Phil Cass has been appointed maintenance manager for all the sites (i.e. the bits not let to members), including gate locks and sheds where damaged beyond the tenant’s capacity to repair. (Be careful to make the doors secure so that the wind does not blow it off / blow out the roof!) Discuss all gate lock / shed maintenance matters with your site rep in the first instance.

The quarterly newsletter is going to be sent out by post/email, rather than put in sheds, to ensure it reaches everyone speedily. We would like to send as many as possible by email to keep down costs, so please tell Bob Corfield your email address if you haven’t already (Link from website). And do look at the frequently changing items on the website, including volunteers wanted for TV programme!

Dave Brice, was elected as our new President. A new committee was also elected – info on website.

The Harry Green Shield for the best HDAA plot (independently judged by the City Council) was awarded to Nigel Perkins (AM) for the second year running. Nigel very kindly presented the prize money to the Association.

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HwDAA Newsletter

March 2008