Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

For the information of all members we publish below the document given to all new tenants when they take on a garden from the association.

OLD PARK FARM ALLOTMENT

The tenancy agreement for the above allotment is for 6 months this is standard practice for a new tenant. If after 6 months we can clearly see that progress is being made on the allotment in line with the standard tenancy agreement and not in a way to the detriment of the garden holders then then agreement will continue. The rent will be due again by the 1^st October 2016. It is the expectation that the rent is paid before that date. Bills will be sent out approximately 6 weeks before. The presumption is that non-payment by that date without prior arrangement means the tenancy will end. Please note we are expecting a rent rise from the council which means that our rents will have to go up to match the standard rate set.

The full tenancy agreement is attached. It is also on the web site.

If there is anything you want to know please contact me.

Basic rules and advice are as follows. The garden is for you; you cannot run a business from it or sublet it.

You are allowed to sell surplus crops but you should not be growing to sell.

The hedges need to be kept around the agreed height of 5ft to 6ft.  It is your responsibility to maintain them and the area of pathway outside the garden.

The garden needs to be at least 50% cultivated and as weed free as possible.

A third of the garden can be non-permanent buildings, e.g. Greenhouses, sheds etc. You need to talk to me before you build any new structure on the garden.

You are allowed a rest area.

Please protect our environment and do not bring any rubbish, building equipment used in any business or soft furnishings onto the garden.  If you leave the gardens we expect you to remove all tools and equipment and any other items brought onto the garden that are not part of the fabric of the garden.

You are no longer allowed to use old carpet as a weed suppressant, the chemicals leach into the ground. Any old carpet you find on the ground should be removed.

You can have a controlled bonfire on your garden. Do not leave it unattended. Please do not put green cuttings on it or anything else that will cause a smoke nuisance. No chemicals, plastics or rubber or roofing felt or any oil based product. Please note your fire is your responsibility if you cause a hazard the council will prosecute you as individual not the association.

You may only have a fire on the 2^nd Sunday in the month. You can have bonfires during the week of 5^th November.  Dates are published on the web site.

The water supply comes off the mains so is drinkable (however I recommend you run some through the tap first) the water bill costs more than the rent. Use it sparingly, save water in barrels. Do not leave a hose attached to the tap and controlled by the hose, it can leak. Do not leave sprinklers on unattended. Make sure you have turned off the tap. If you see a leak please REPORT it. If you cause water to be wasted by not following the rules you could face a water bill! The water is turned off after bonfire night in November and will be switched on again in March.

We sell compost at a non-profit price available from early in the New Year.  It is sold from the committee garden. Details will be posted when we have some.

The keys are very important to us. Keep them safe.  They remain our property at all times. You will receive the deposit back if you leave us when you return them. If we have a burglary I will automatically tell the Police if I have keys that have not been returned. Do not lend them out to any unauthorised person. Do not let people into the garden who have not got a key. If in doubt about such a request ring me. ALWAYS lock the gate behind you; this is for the safety of all of us and our belongings.

Do not under any circumstances go onto any other garden without the invitation of the garden holder. This includes unoccupied gardens. Anyone found taking property no matter how small from another garden will face the immediate sanction of the withdrawal of the tenancy. Any theft will be reported to the police.

The Chairman’s name is Steve Yorke, his gardens are at the far end and to the right of the main pathway. You are welcome to take pallets and if you ask him he will bring them up to you on a trailer.

The treasurer is Steve Williams whose garden is number 54 next door but one to me.

I hope you enjoy being a member of our association.

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For the information of everyone the Annual General Meeting will be held on 15th March 2015 at 10:30am in the association hut or poly tunnel.

There are some important issues this year which need decisions being made which will affect you all personally and financially, the AGM is your opportunity, not only to air your views, but to actively vote on the decisions which will be taken.  This will be your only opportunity this year to affect the running of the association unless extraordinary general meetings are called.  If you don’t attend your views will not count and your ability to decide on these issues won’t either.  It is important you attend if you wish to democratically affect the running of YOUR association.

The following items so far are on the agenda for discussion:

• Future Rent Increases – the council will be imposing new rent increases on us next year, however we have some flexibility on how we deal with this as an association, details will be given on how much this will cost you and how this could happen.
• Association Lease and Trustees – There will be further information on the ever looming issue we have over the lease we have with the city council to run our allotments.
• Election Of Committee Members – As we do each year the current committee members will be standing for re-election.  Any nominations for election of new members to the committee must be proposed in writing via nomination forms available either from Jackie MEDCALF or the main notice board nearer the time, or downloaded from the link below,  and then given to any current committee member by the 1st March 2015 in accordance with the constitution which can be found elsewhere on this site.
• Other items for discussion – If there are items you wish discussed at the AGM which concern you personally please submit them, again, in writing to any member of the committee before the 1st March 2015.

Please note that this is not a definitive list, just the items so far which will be discussed.

Current committee members to whom you can submit agenda items or nominations are:

• Jackie MEDCALF
• Steve WILLIAMS
• Steve YORKE
• Ronnie GAYLE
• Jane BOWDEN
• Steve MEDCALF

Committee nomination forms can be downloaded by clicking the following link:

Old Park Farm Committee Membership Form

Lastly combined rent and water bills for the first half of the year will be sent out in the middle of February 2015.  These MUST be paid in full by the 1st April 2015 or contact made with a member of the committee.  Failure to do either of these will result in eviction from your allotment from 1st April 2015.

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