Two members of the committee, Steve Yorke and Steve Williams have this week spent a lot of time stopping another one of the water standpipes from leaking. This is not an easy task as it means digging down to the base of the standpipe through mud then getting down on the muddy ground and locating the leaking bit in water, removing it and replacing it. The water has to be switched off and on, whilst this is happening which involves getting down into another manhole. It is a back breaking and filthy job to do. But it saves a lot of money and as this is probably the 4th or 5th time this particular part has given way I think we can be confident that most of the other standpipes will leak in the not too distant future. So we are pretty dependent on the two Steves to be available to stop the leaks. The only alternative would be to switch the water off entirely and pay a plumber. So a massive thank you to both of them. If anyone out there has basic plumbing skills who would be willing to find out about our water system as backup help if necessary, please talk to Steve Yorke or Steve Williams.
Four weeks ago I put notices out asking everyone to be proactive in getting data permission forms from me. There are 79 people who need to do this. It’s meant a huge alteration to our database, (thanks to Steve Medcalf for doing this) and then the checking and updating of 79 separate entries onto the database. This is after research, production, distribution etc of those forms. Most of you have now had the forms one way or another and thank you for doing this. However, I am still left with 10 unfilled ones plus several forms that have been given out but not yet been completed and given back. Some of those contacted have not bothered to reply to emails or texts. So it means that putting a line under yet another admin task is once again becoming frustrating to say the least. The point I am making is that to keep our allotments working a lot of voluntary work goes on that the greater majority of you do not see or appreciate happens at all. The norm in fact is that people only react to anything if it affects them personally when they then think no one is doing anything about it, usually the opposite is in fact true or there are valid reasons why a decision is being delayed.
Personally I have found this a difficult 6 months all in all and we now have several gardens that are basically no longer being worked and action is being taken to address this, however, that in itself means work for someone else. Harry has left us and it is important that his huge plot of land is recovered and reclaimed but it is not going to be easy and we will require help. I have a plan in my head with what to do with it we just need to do it. Hopefully we can do this without calling for outside help. It will be an ongoing task for several months on community days and in peoples spare time.
If you have not yet filled in or returned your data forms and given permission for us to contact you please do so. I will chase people once more by text. If I don’t hear from you or you have returned your forms without giving permission to contact you I will presume you don’t want to be informed about anything other than what gets circulated publically on the web site or notice boards or of course, when your rent bill is due, so it will be up to you to keep yourself informed from now on.
I was asked about the BBQ a couple of days ago. It was announced at the AGM it’s on Saturday 1st September, all are welcome. If you wish to “do something” for example sell crafts or plants then you are welcome. There will be a light hearted show of veggies, flowers as usual. If anyone has any bright ideas for something different your ideas and organisational skills will be welcome.
Jackie.
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association 