Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

I have been asked by the council to arrange our inspection with them. I know its not an ideal time but this is what they have decided on. I am going to request a date late this month. Please attack your hedges and get them neat, trimmed and where wire fences allow about 5ft in height. I know the weather is not helping and my garden has been flooded for most of the last 4 months, so i appreciate the difficulties. If you are struggling let me know. Also last year if you remember they were unhappy with the amount of barbed wire about so if you still have some on your gate tops/fences please make an effort to get rid of it. Off site !!

We are still dependant on our finances on the council and they have the right to withhold our rebate so please do your best.

Thank you for your cooperation

Jackie

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Just to reiterate the BBC weather forecast for this coming Sunday and Monday for heavy snow. Please be aware of the damage that this can do to both netted areas and polytunnels.

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Please note, in accordance with what we do every year, the water supply to the allotments will be turned off for the winter period. This year this will be done on Monday 13th November following this month’s burning Sunday. If you have the opportunity please pass this information on to other allotment holders who may not use or have access to computer notifications such as this.

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OK well now I am confused, ‘Why Jackie?’ I hear you ask.

I said when talking about the recycling bay “ DON’T DUMP RUBBISH ON THE GARDENS” so now someone has taken me literally and gone to the trouble of chucking an old white panelled door from our pathway over the 6ft high fencing onto British Rail Land. That is wrong in a few ways, it’s called fly tipping so it’s against the law, it’s on private railway land so its even more against the law and it goes against every environmental policy we try to adhere to on the allotments.

It also throws up some worrying questions about the mentality of one of our gardeners because the door (now retrieved) is actually in good enough condition to be used on a shed or similar. In other words it could have been bloody well useful and therefore could have been put in the recycling bay !!!!!!! Which would have been far simpler and far less annoying than struggling to chuck it over a fence and committing a crime !!!

I should have added that the door is now leaning up against a tree on the pathway directly in front of where it was recovered from.  It now needs moving to the recycling bay and I woiuld expect that whomever dumped it to actually move it there ASAP.

Jackie

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Last month for some reason someone dumped hedge trimmings in the main car park, there is and has been for some time a notice to say please don’t do that as we decided to stop doing a communal bonfire some months ago. The same week someone put (and i presume brought onto the site) plastics and insulating materials and dumped them in the recycling area. Thanks for that!! A member of the committee has removed it and will fill his green bin with it all at his home, As soon as it was removed someone put a fridge drawer or similar with crap in it into the bay. Those of us who roll our sleeves up and get stuck in are fed up with whoever keeps abusing a simple rule, which is DON’T DUMP RUBBISH ON THE GARDENS. Take your rubbish home, stop expecting others to deal with it.

Also, we have some empty gardens at the moment, may i remind you that you are not allowed to go walk about on them. The tenancy agreement is quite clear you must not go onto anyone else’s garden this includes derelict gardens . Even as access to another garden. Removal of any items will be deemed as theft and your tenancy will be at risk. The only people allowed to have free range are myself and one or two others of the committee to aid in planning and rubbish removal or to sort the garden for new tenants.

HEDGES. This time of year is the best to get those hedges sorted out. We have some overly tall ones at the moment. Remember we don’t get inspected until the new year now and badly kept hedges will stand out. If you want some help, for a small charge, i will arrange for the work to be done. Monies made will go towards running the Charity garden.

FIRES. This sunday there was a massive amount of dark and foul smelling smoke coming from bonfires on our gardens. Please think about fire management, most things can be composted and should be, no materials other than dry wood or dry garden hard twigs, branches etc should be burnt. I am absolutely convinced that it will not be long before we get banned from lighting fires at all so please start looking at other ways to use or get rid of debris. Sensible suggestions on how we manage this ongoing problem will be gratefully received.

SECURITY. It’s not been the best growing season ever and ours and other gardens have been waterlogged for some time, the nights are drawing in and there will not be so many people around. So please ensure the gates are locked at all times and report any suspicious incidents or people. Don’t let anyone in if they have not got a gate key. If you are using a hose to fill barrels etc for winter don’t forget to turn the taps off. Please help to keep the gardens safe for everyone.

Jackie

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THIS FRIDAY MORNING 6th OCTOBER WE ARE PLANNING TO REPAIR THE POTHOLES IN THE DRIVEWAY.

THERE WILL BE NO VEHICLE ACCESS IN OR OUT FROM FROM 10.30am UNTIL WE FINISH AND I DON’T KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE.

WE DON’T WANT TO KEEP MOVING THE EQUIPMENT OUT OF THE WAY OR ENDANGERING THOSE WHO ARE WORKING.

YOU CAN WALK IN BUT YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Jackie

07931950950

jackiemedcalf@hotmail.com

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Tenancies end on Saturday 30th September unless rent has been paid.

I will be available from about 10.30 until 1pm on Saturday to collect outstanding rents.

Anyone who does not pay or make contact by tomorrow to make other definite arrangements will be deemed to have terminated their tenancy.

If you have difficulties in paying you need to talk to me urgently it’s no good just leaving the problem if you wish to retain the garden. Someone has been available to collect rent every morning since bills went out on 17th August, chasing up late payments is not something we should have to do, never mind extra trips and the time it takes for banking.

Jackie

07931950950

jackiemedcalf@hotmail.com

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There are still a number of people who have not paid their bill.

The payment is expected by the end of Saturday 30th unless you have contacted me or Steve Williams before then your tenancy will end.

Steve can be found most mornings and I will be available on

Wednesday and Friday from around 10.30am to 12.30

Thursday 10.30 until 12.

Saturday I will be there from 10.30 until 1pm.

If you cannot get to pay during those times then you need to contact me urgently and make other arrangements. As our garden is waterlogged I am not hanging around on the off chance someone will turn up.

If you have decided not to renew your tenancy please make arrangements with me to return your keys.

JACKIE

07931950950

jackiemedcalf@hotmail.com

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