Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association

First of all the association (all of us) are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all our communal areas. It is therefore important if you see something that could be a hazard and can do something about it yourself then you should. At the very least you should report it to the Secretary or Chairman or any other member of the committee. But the health and safety of yourself and any other visitors to your allotment is your responsibility, we can only advise. If though a tenant is actively ignoring a Health and Safety breach or actively involved in making one then there will be no hesitation by the Committee of this Association to withdraw the tenancy from the tenant.
The following points are designed to be guidelines and are not policy however please bear in mind the previous statement.

1. If possible tell someone you are going to the allotment and carry a mobile phone with you in case you have an accident. The nearest postcode is NG8 4LJ.
2. It’s not advisable to lock your garden gate from the inside. If you fall or become ill how will people get to you. Do not put barbed wire on top of you gate/fence.
3. Always wear safety boots and wear gloves.
4. The water from the mains is fresh but do not store drinking water for more than a couple of days.
   
5. Keep garden chemicals safely, labelled and away from drinking water.
   
6. Never store hazardous materials on your garden.
   
7. Asbestos has been used profusely in allotments over the years, learn to recognise it. If you find some put it to one side and ask for help to remove it from your garden. Do not break it up.
   
8. Glass is also a problem so wear gloves if you are using your hands to move soil. Again collect it and keep it separately.
   
9. Beware of Rats. Do not leave uncovered bird seed in your shed. Do not bring soft furnishings onto your garden, rats will nest in it. Use hand wash or anti bacterial hand rub and again wear gloves.
   
10. Remove dangerous branches from trees on your garden. Contact the Secretary or Chairman if you think a tree is dangerous.
    
11. Keep weeds and brambles to a minimum. Beware of tripping hazards with briars. Don’t let weeds hide dangers. Overgrown gardens are not part of your tenancy agreement.
    
12. Good housekeeping is essential. Put your tools away, clean them after use do not leave hoses etc uncurled. Look at your garden before you leave and make sure nothing will trip you up when you next attend.

We have 66 bags of compost and some canes being delivered on Thursday 14th a few extra hands to move the bags into the store would be very helpful. Delivery is between 1pm and half past although they often a little earlier.

Thanks

Jackie

OLD PARK FARM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

SUNDAY 17th MARCH 2019

Arrival and refreshments from 10am

Meeting starts prompt at 10.30am

Please put the date in your diary and make every effort to attend.

We are always looking for more committee members if you would like to join us you can approach Steve Yorke or myself for a simple nomination form. Also it is possible to be voted in on the day. Please ask if you want any more information.

The agenda will be published before the meeting. Last years minutes are published here on site.

If you have any agenda items please email me or talk to me preferably by 3rd March.

The main agenda item will be about the City Council’s proposed rent increases and how this could affect our association.

Thank you

Jackie Medcalf

Secretary

jackiemedcalf@hotmail.com

07931950950

First of all I am very pleased to say that we have a volunteer for a new Treasurer, so thank you to Mark for stepping forward. Again, as I have said before we would like to expand your committee so if you think you would like to join in please talk to me or Steve Yorke. It’s important we have some continuity with an eye to the future and even if you have not been with us long it is important that we hear new ideas and tap into what experience we have on site. A further reminder again that the AGM is on Sunday 17th March. Details will follow but talk to me if you want a subject on the agenda.

Apart from Harry’s old gardens we are full again so please make your new neighbors welcome and introduce yourselves.

We should be having our annual council inspection over the next few weeks. Please check that your garden looks tidy and worked on. Your hedges need to be between 5ft and 6ft high depending on type and if you have old wire fencing amongst it. If in doubt talk to me. Remember , hedge height it is part of your tenancy agreement which means you could lose the tenancy if you don’t comply and if the council mention it in the inspection we cannot ignore it.

There is a skip coming on Monday morning (28th) and we intend to fill it with rubbish from Harry’s gardens so we can start to measure out the new plots. If you feel like doing some exercise you would be very welcome to come and join us.

Lastly does anyone have a recommended local builder/roofer they could ask to help. I want a quote for improvements to the community building including new windows and door. So we can apply for funding. Again please get in touch.

Jackie Medcalf

Simon on the annex gardens wants to order 5 x 13ft Scaffolding boards. Is anyone else interested in some if the order is for 12 or more delivery is free. They are £12 each.

Please contact Jackie if you are interested. ASAP please. Please pass word around.

Jackie

YOUR COMMITTEE.

We would like to encourage more of you to become active committee members to help with the running of the association.

We still need a new treasurer the duties are

1. To keep a running balance sheet of monies in and out of the association bank account.
2. To report on the financial position i.e the balance at committee meetings and bills received or outstanding.
3. To prepare an account sheet at the end of the financial year ( financial year runs 1st January to 31st December) ready for the AGM. At the moment the secretary then prepares this for onward transmission to Companies house.
4. To aid in sending out rent bills and collecting in monies paid.
5. Banking when necessary and countersigning cheques.

Help and support will be given we are looking for new banking systems that will aid some of the above.

All the accounting records can be done on a new accounts package which will simplify the above and which will automatically produce the annual report.

If you are interested in please come and talk to either myself, outgoing treasurer Steve Williams or Steve Yorke our Chairman.

Jackie Medcalf

Secretary.

We have reopened our account with Dobies of Devon garden suppliers.

www.dobies.co.uk

As members of Old Park Farm Allotments you are entitled this year to 50% discount on all packet seeds plus 15% off every other item. You can order online and your order will be delivered to your home address. You can order things for your allotment or your garden at home if you so wish.

I have order forms and a few catalogues for those that would not want to order online.

Whether this offer continues into 2020 depends on how much is spent this next year.

NOTE: you need a code number to qualify for this discount which i can send you by text so text me on 07931  950950 and ask for the code or email me at jackiemedcalf@hotmail.com.

So go on line see if you wish to place an order, text me for the Dobies discount code and i will text you back with it.

It will also be on the main notice board over the next few days.

I would appreciate you telling me if you have ordered and your spend so i can keep a record so i can see if this offer is being used and if it will continue.

Thank you

Regards

Jackie