Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

OUR WATER SUPPLY IS METERED AND HAVING TAKEN A READING IT LOOKS LIKE OUR WATER USAGE HAS DOUBLED ALREADY THIS YEAR WHICH MEANS THE WATER BILL WILL ALSO DOUBLE. SEVERN TRENT IS ASKING THE PUBLIC TO BE SPARING WITH WATER AND WE NOW HAVE TO ASK YOU TO DO THE SAME ON THE ALLOTMENTS.

1. TARGET WATER YOUR PLANTS. WATER AT GROUND LEVEL DO NOT USE SPRINKLERS.
2. IF YOU HAVE MULTIPLE GARDENS DO NOT LEAVE WATER RUNNING IN ONE GARDEN WHILE YOU GO TO ANOTHER.
3. WATER ONCE A DAY ONLY AND ROTATE WHAT YOU WATER.
4. DO NOT USE WATER HOSES OR TAP FIXTURES IF THEY LEAK. NEW PARTS COST ONLY A COUPLE OF POUNDS. WE WILL ASK YOU TO TURN OFF LEAKING EQUIPMENT.
5. WHERE POSSIBLE USE WATERING CANS.
6. BE REALISTIC WITH YOUR CROPS. WATERING NOW WILL NOT HELP SOME CROPS SURVIVE OR GROW ANYMORE.

IT IS VERY POSSIBLE WE MAY NEED TO IMPOSE OUR OWN HOSEPIPE BAN VERY SOON.  WE MAY HAVE TO DECIDE TO SWITCH OFF THE WATER IF THERE IS NO SIGN OF RAIN VERY SOON.

WE ONLY HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF SURPLUS MONEY AFTER THE RENT TO THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN PAID. WE CANNOT RUN OUT OF OPERATING MONEY. THEREFORE IF THIS SITUATION CONTINUES WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT RAISING EXTRA FUNDS. THE WATER CHARGES HAVE BEEN HELD AT THE SAME RATE FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND IT IS LOOKING LIKE THESE WILL HAVE TO GO UP THIS YEAR.

A DECISION ABOUT HOSE PIPES WILL BE MADE NEXT WEEKEND BEFORE I GO ON HOLIDAY.  A COMMITTEE MEETING MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST WHEN WE WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF BOTH FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AND THE WEATHER FORECASTS FOR THE REST OF SUMMER. IF NECESSARY WE WILL CALL AN EGM.

I AM SURE EVERYONE REALISES THAT WE ARE FACING CONDITIONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT INDIVIDUALS TAKE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COOPERATE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.