Provision Of A Skip

16th Oct 2012 by Dogbury

SKIP NOTICE

During the weekend of Saturday 27th October 2012 a skip will be available on the central car park.

The council, due to environmental concerns have requested that the practice of using carpet as a weed suppressant on gardens should be stopped.  The carpet should be removed from site. Therefore;

Please start to comply with this and use the provided skip.

Other allotment waste can be put in but please do not bring waste onto the site from your business or home.

Skips are very expensive and anyone discovered taking unfair advantage will be required to contribute towards the cost of the skip.

NO ASBESTOS
NO GAS BOTTLES
NO TYRES
NO PAINT TINS
NO LIQUIDS

NB:  A committee member has paid 50% of the cost of the skip.  If a further skip is needed it will be provided.

Please check with Jackie Medcalf or Steve Yorke if you have any questions about what you can and cannot dump.

Posted in Services |

Minutes of committee meeting held on Sunday 7th October 2012

15th Oct 2012 by Dogbury

OLD PARK FARM GARDEN HOLDERS ASOCIATION

Minutes of committee meeting held on Sunday 7th October 2012

Present:  Chairman: Steve Yorke,  Treasurer: Kay Graham,  Secretary: Jackie Medcalf,  Sos Inger,  Ronnie Gayle and Steve Medcalf.

Minutes and Maters arising from 19/08/12

Pot Holes.  Sos reported that the contractor should come back to us this week with dates to start work.

The Chairman suggested that at the same time as this work we also hire the skip needed to get rid of carpets from gardens. Also to get rid of the soil/rubbish pile in main car park.
Steve M to ring round for prices.
Jackie to do appropriate notice for boards.


Treasurer’s report.

Kay informed the meeting that the rent had been paid but we were still waiting for the bill from Severn Trent.


Secretary’s report.

Inspection Feedback

This year’s inspection took place on 31st August and official report had now been received.
Points of concern were:
State of Main Avenue although noted that repairs were in hand.
External Boundaries
Old Coach Road. The poor state of fence and pavement was a concern for both association and inspector. A grant had been applied for to cover cost of a new fence but at time of inspection result not known (see later).
Railway boundary. Cause for concern but this is not an association boundary. No one should attempt to interfere with it, or trespass on railway land.
External gates need cosmetic improvements.
Buildings.
Brick built shed by railway is in good condition and could be used but the asbestos roof will need encapsulating before it could be used regularly.

Reminder from inspector that all buildings need to be in a safe condition and that permission should be sought from the council via the committee prior,  to allowing any other permanent building on site.  (To clarify this means on individual gardens.)

Condition of Plots.

Hedges; There were a number of hedges over 1.5 mtrs (5ft high) and in the process of being tackled. 11 plots were recorded as having hedges exceeding 1.8 mtrs (6ft). These should be tackled over winter and regarded as a priority.

The level of cultivation was generally good across the site.  However 12 tenanted plots were considered to be not cultivated.  Another 5 were giving cause for concern.

The report concluded that on the whole progress had been made especially opening up the gardens along the railway avenue.  Assuming that action is taken about the above gardens then the rebate this year will be forthcoming to be used for improvements and administration costs.

The secretary gave the committee details about the individual gardens mentioned and was subsequently asked by the committee to contact the tenants whose gardens were causing concern to ascertain what the problems were and look for a solution.  The 12 tenants renting the gardens that were not considered to be cultivated to be written to and informed that unless immediate and significant improvements were made tenancies would not be offered to them in the new year.

Hedges;  The secretary asked for clarification of what the association found acceptable with regard to the on going problem with varying heights of hedges. After some discussion the committee decided that all hedges should be trimmed well and that as long as the hedge was kept neat we would accept a MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 6FT.  Hedges above that height will be deemed unacceptable.

Lease;  The secretary was asked to chase the council for an updated version.

Questionnaire;  The committee completed a questionnaire from the council about partnership working.

Any Other Business

Secretary reported she had just received the offer for finance for a new fence but for only half the cost, which would leave us just over £2000 to find. Final Decision to be left pending. Jackie to enter into some negotiations with council and check the costs again.

Steve Medcalf requested the association purchase a Mower and Hedge trimmer for use in the communal areas. After a discussion permission was given Steve to source them and report back.

Kay raised concern about a gardener leaving the hose attached and running whilst not on site. This is against the rules and the secretary was asked to contact the individual.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 11.20am.

Posted in Minutes |

Burning Days

15th Oct 2012 by Dogbury

I published a list of burning days yesterday which, when I checked them had a couple of typo errors in so here they are again:

Monday 5th November to Sunday 11th September 2012
Sunday 9th December 2012
Sunday 13th January 2013
Sunday 10th February 2013
Sunday 10th March 2013
Sunday 14th April 2013
Sunday 12th May 2013
Sunday 9th June 2013
Sunday 14th July 2013
Sunday 11th August 2013
Sunday 8th September 2013
Sunday 13th October 2013
Monday 4th November to Sunday 10th November 2013
Sunday 8th December 2013

Posted in News |

This Weeks Weather

14th Oct 2012 by Dogbury

THIS WEEKS WEATHER Monday 15th to Sunday 21st October 2012

This period is renowned for stormy conditions, with some seriously damaging gales in the past. Some wet and windy weather is expected this week, but hopefully nothing too serious. Temperatures will vary from very mild even rather warm at times later, to rather cold at first. Here’s your forecast:

Monday: Rather cold after a ground frost and a few mist or fog patches in places at first. Some sunshine but scattered mostly coastal showers. Becoming very unsettled over Ireland later and in most parts overnight, with some wet and windy weather moving in. A milder night, but perhaps still turning cold over parts of Scotland.

Tuesday: Very unsettled and mostly cloudy, with wet and windy weather in most places at first. Brighter conditions may come through later but there will still be scattered showers. Somewhat of a lull during the evening and overnight with broken skies, but perhaps more wet and windy weather moving into the south-west later.

Wednesday: More wet and windy weather ‘sweeps-in’ from the south-west. There could be some heavy rain in places followed by blustery showers. It should be mild although probably not feeling so, but Scotland could be colder and particularly dire in the north and east with snow on higher northern mountains.

Thursday: Remaining very unsettled and windy with further occasional rain or showers heavy in places under mostly cloudy skies. Probably very mild though perhaps with a balmy feel. Also turning milder over most of Scotland but very unsettled and windy at times here too.

Friday: Similar but probably mild or very mild, with further occasional rain or showers. There could be generally large amounts of cloud but a few bright or sunny intervals are likely mostly in the east, where there should be fewer showers.

The Weekend: A north and west/east and south split. It should be unsettled and breezier in the north and west with occasional showers, while the east and south are expected to be increasingly drier and brighter. It should be mild, but with somewhat colder nights in the east.

Posted in Weather |

Terry Scholey’s Weather Service

23rd Sep 2012 by Dogbury

THIS WEEKS WEATHER Monday 24th to Sunday 30th September 2012

A very unsettled week will give showers, longer spells of occasionally heavy rain, local thunder and probably also some flooding. Gales could be severe in places for a time, before the weather improves towards the weekend. Here’s your forecast:

Monday: A quite deep depression over the country gives some really wet, cool weather, with heavy rain moving north eventually into central and southern Scotland. Gales are likely in the north, with sunny or clear intervals and blustery showers moving into southern England later. Ireland will be cool with blustery showers.

Tuesday: Still dull, wet, windy and cold over Scotland, with heavy rain at times. Hill snow is even possible. Northern and western parts of Ireland could also be dull and wet for most of the times. England and Wales should be less cool with a mixture of sunny intervals and showers some heavy giving thunder.

Wednesday: Remaining unsettled with generally large amounts of cloud. There will be a few sunny intervals but also further showers. Some could be heavy and blustery especially over England and Wales giving local torrential downpours with thunder. Winds generally though should be somewhat lighter than of late.

Thursday: A further scattering of showers especially over England and Wales some still heavy perhaps giving local thunder. Scotland and Ireland should have only isolated showers with the weather slowly improving as pressure steadily rises.

Friday: Still a few showers in the east and south that locally could be heavy, but as pressure continues to rise you are more likely to get away with a dry day. Scotland and Ireland should be mainly dry with variable cloud and sunny spells. It will be on the cool side though, after a ground frost in places at first.

The Weekend:  Perhaps a few showers in the far north-west and the far south-east, but the weekend should be mainly fine and dry. There will be sunny spells although cloud amounts could vary, with pleasantly mild afternoons and cold nights that could give ground frost mostly in the north.

Posted in Weather |

Terry Scholey Weather Service

31st Aug 2012 by Dogbury

TERRY SCHOLEY WEATHER SERVICE

1 Nursery Close
Radcliffe on Trent
Notts NG12 2JD
Telephone 0115 933 5567
Mobile 0797 018 4241
E Mail terry.scholey@virginmedia.com

September 2012 – final update.

General Comments:

A drier and warmer than average September seems likely particularly over central, eastern and southern areas, with just brief cooler intervals occasionally ‘feeding down’ from the north. It could also be a sunnier than normal month, especially over England and Wales. Current weather patterns are suggesting that on the whole the first and the third weeks should provide the driest conditions, with changeable weather most likely towards mid-month and at the end.

There is still some doubt as to the pressure pattern around mid-September, as several key years in the past came up with different results. One particular September of interest was that of 1879, that like this year followed one of the wettest summers on record. It is also a particularly good lunar match and to some extent is close to the current phase of the solar cycle.

Confidence is medium to high, with the timing of weather events likely to be within a couple of days. The next update will be the mid-September to mid-October prediction.

September 1st to 6th:  Predominantly dry, particularly in central and southern areas, with some warm sunshine although cloud amounts will vary. Breezier and more unsettled over Scotland particularly the north and west and at times over Northern Ireland, with occasional rain or showers. Temperatures will be close to normal in the north say 15 to 17C by day, but above average in the south and east with some very warm afternoons when 23 to 25C could be reached. The nights generally will be mild, with minimum values mostly between 7 and 13C.

September 7th to 9th:  A few showers perhaps over north and east Scotland at first, otherwise staying mainly dry with perhaps some quite sunny days. Scotland and Northern Ireland should also be noticeably brighter, but it could be somewhat cooler and fresher with chillier nights. Top temperatures in the north should be 13 to 16C and in the south 18 to 20C, with minimum values say 5 to 10C giving a risk of ground frost mostly in the north.

September 10th to 15th:  Some intervals of warm sunshine but probably increasingly hazy, with more in the way of cloud and early mist or fog patches. Also an increased risk of showers particularly towards mid-month, when some locally could be heavy perhaps giving thunder. Feeling warmer or milder, with top temperatures 16 to 18C in the north and 19 to 24C in the south. The nights should also be milder, with minimum temperatures mostly in the range 8 to 13C.

September 16th to 20th:  Showers should clear leaving most parts with a finer, mainly dry interval giving sunny spells. There will be patchy cloud, but pleasantly warm afternoon’s where you have sunny spells. Top temperatures should be 16 to 21C but with chillier that could see minimum values between say 6 and 11C.

September 21st to 25th:  Gradually becoming unsettled and breezier, particularly in the north and west. The east and south however could see tastes of ‘Indian Summer’ after some misty mornings, before here too it probably become unsettled with some locally heavy showers later. Maximum temperatures should be 15 to 18C in the north and west, but perhaps as high 23 to 25C towards the south east for a time. Milder nights should see minimum temperatures mostly between 9 and 14C.

September 26th to 30th:  Could see a sudden change too much cooler weather from the north-west, after probably a few showers in the north and east at first. It should be mainly dry again however for a while with sunny spells, before wet and windy weather perhaps ‘sweeps’ in from the west at month end. Daytime temperatures may struggle to reach 12 to 14C in the north and 15 to 17C in the south. Colder nights for a while could result mostly ground frost, with minimum values between say 0 and 6C.

31st August 2012

Posted in Weather | Tagged , |

Terry Scholey’s Weather 27th Aug. to 2nd Sept.

26th Aug 2012 by Dogbury

TERRY SCHOLEY WEATHER SERVICE

1 Nursery Close
Radcliffe on Trent
Notts NG12 2JD
Telephone 0115 933 5567
Mobile 0797 018 4241
E Mail terry.scholey@virginmedia.com

THIS WEEKS WEATHER Monday 27th August to Sunday 2nd September 2012

Dear I say the famous adage once again that a change of month brings a change of weather. For farmers in particular cutting the harvest, there are strong signs of finer, drier weather into September. Beforehand though, it remains unsettled with further occasional rain or showers in most parts. Here’s your forecast:

Monday: Eastern areas stay driest the longest, but any sunshine will be limited as rain, preceded by sporadic bursts move in from the west. Sunny intervals and scattered showers follow into Ireland that spreads to most parts overnight. It will be windy or at least breezy and slightly blustery ahead of the rain.

Tuesday: A day of sunny intervals and scattered showers, most frequent in the north and west. Some will be heavy giving perhaps local thunder and hail; with fewer showers in the east and south, where you should have the best of the sunshine on offer. More cloud and rain moves into Ireland and the south-west overnight.

Wednesday: After perhaps a bright start in the east, another spell of cloud and rain affects most parts. This could be heavy in places followed by sunny or clear intervals and showers moving in from the south-west later and overnight. Some parts of Scotland and Ireland though may remain rather cloudy with further rain at times.

Thursday: Becoming cooler, with sunny intervals but generally large amounts of cloud giving blustery showers. These will be most frequent over Scotland and probably in the east for a while, before becoming lighter and fewer later in the day. Overnight it should become finer and drier from the west.

Friday: August could end on a finer note particularly over England and Wales with some sunshine making it warmer again. Scotland should also be finer, but the north and west of both Scotland and Ireland may turn cloudy and breezier with some rain later or overnight.

The weekend: Should be fine and warm over England and Wales, with sunny spells. Scotland and Ireland particularly the north and west may be breezier and more cloudy, with some occasional rain or drizzle but it will be very mild.

Remember this is only a guide. Please ring me if you need a more detailed update.

Terry Scholey 26th August 2012

Posted in Weather |

Open Letter – New Secretary

25th Aug 2012 by Dogbury

OPEN LETTER TO ALL OUR GARDEN HOLDERS FROM JACKIE MEDCALF, SECRETARY.

I know that there has been quite a lot of speculation and rumor about me taking over as your secretary albeit maybe only on a temporary basis until the next AGM. So I thought I would introduce myself.  I have been told that, and understand why, that some people have concerns over my capabilities to take on this role for a number of reasons, including that I haven’t been here on the allotments long enough, wont understand what needs to be done, I don’t know anything about gardening and the fact that I am a woman! To be honest I was surprised to be asked to take over this role, it was not something I had asked for or expected and due to the circumstances it was quite a sudden.  Certainly I would have considered it in a couple of years when Sos may have originally been planning to retire from the post. However it a role that needs to be filled by someone. So who am I?

Well, briefly, I was born in St Ann’s, grew up in Dunkirk, left school at 16, worked for the Education department as an office junior. Joined the Police in the old days of the Police Women’s department, dealing with woman and children and crimes against them e.g. domestic violence and sexual abuse. Then when the equality act came in joined the mainstream service working all hours alongside the blokes. I was the first female officer on the vice squad, a fact I am rather proud of, although there are probably no transferable skills from that job to this post!  I left the Police a year into my marriage and worked at Jessop’s, hated it, got pregnant and over a couple of years had two daughters. I found a job as a part time sales rep flogging batteries to corner shops and had a stint behind the till at Makro. I then saw an advert for Community Service Supervisors with the Probation department supervising and working with adults who had been given a CS order, in those days a direct alternative to going to prison. I loved it.   For a few years I drove a large box van and did furniture removals and ran gardening groups not only supervising the offenders but working alongside them, which basically meant I did large scale clearances, including overgrown allotments, gardens and doing more styled gardening including gardens at The Nottingham Hospice. I was also involved in a cycle repair workshop, I knew nothing about bikes but the lads did!

I applied for a manager’s post when the man who had done it for years retired, which involved assessing painting and decorating work, which the groups would subsequently do. That caused a little bit of a stir at the time amongst some of the men who said I didn’t know enough about decorating and I was a woman!!   However I got it and taught myself to assess and estimate correctly and planned the work in every type of building from churches to small flats.

At this point I did the NEBOSCH Health and safety certificate to distinction level.  A few years later we all had to reapply for our jobs when huge changes came in which also meant a new management post. People from all over the country were applying for it, I could not bear to let it go to a stranger and applied and got the job. So, I became the Senior Officer in charge of Community Service, a few more changes followed and I took on the supervision and management of just under 50 staff, all the work we did in the community in the City and County and about 4000 offenders. At one point in the city we were sending out nearly 100 work groups a week, that was many man-hours of work which I had to ensure was available. I dealt on a regular basis with Politicians, local ones and various Home Secretaries’, Magistrates and Judges. I have had a lot to do with local councils and worked alongside or for many allotment sites and community groups. Bizarrely I also hold a Guinness World Record but I am not telling you what for except it was for charity!!

So basically that’s my background. I left probation last year after 25 years.  Since then most of my free time has been spent with Steve, bring our derelict allotment to some sort of standard or sneaking breaks away in our caravan. I may not be the best gardener in the world, (I failed to get me pumpkin as big as a space hopper!) We have had some successes and some failures but that’s how we learn to be better. I think I have enough life experience and knowledge and managerial experiences to do this role.  But I can’t do anything about being a woman!  I promise I will try to work hard for you and I will try to do you a god job.  I believe in good communication, openness, fairness and hard work.  I respect age and infirmity but am not very good with idleness. I would ask that you all try to give me your support. Hopefully more of you will be willing to join the committee next year and take a more active role in our allotments.

On a more serious note, we are about to have this years Council inspection so my first act as your secretary is to gently remind everyone that as part of your tenancy agreement you are individually responsible for your boundary hedges and adjacent pathways and walkways.  I would like to say at this point that it does not matter who your secretary is or whether you approve of me or not, this is your responsibility as tenants. I understand that the weather has not helped us this year but please do your best if you have not already done so, to spruce them up in time for the inspection. Our rent rebate grant from the council and our independence could be affected by poor inspections.

If anyone is struggling with their allotment because of health or similar reasons I would rather know now please. It may be that I can help find some solutions instead of letting a problem drift into crisis at the tenancy renewal next year. Also if you are planning to give up your allotment next year it would be helpful to know as soon as possible please. Please feel free to seek me out, ask questions etc. I am not at the garden everyday but when there, I am in the very left hand corner, number 66. Usually from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.  It’s ok to contact me by phone or text, or email at any time. I will come see you if you wish.

Thank you for taking time to read this and I hope to get to know you all better as time progresses. My contact details are. jackiemedcalf@hotmail.com. Or mobile 07931 950950

Lastly please remember that the association now has its own web site which you can see at: http://oldparkfarm.org  All of the information that you need to know about will be published there too, such as minutes and the likes of this letter.  You don’t even need to check it regularly to see the new information.  If you subscribe by your email address to the site (there is no charge for subscribing) you will be notified by email of everything that goes onto it automatically.

Posted in News | 3 Comments »

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