Burglaries Sunday/Monday 1st/2nd June 2014

4th Jun 2014 by Dogbury

Some of you will be aware that Billy Burglar and his mates visited us once again overnight this last Sunday.  From what we have been able to see we think that 9 allotments were attacked and a substantial amount of kit was again taken.  They had so much that they had to abandon some of it near to the railway bridge because the lazy bastards were too tired to take it all home and later down to the pub for a sale.  We have recovered a generator, a rotavator and a flame gun some of which we still have to get back to its rightful owners.

The government have now brought in a new set of rules to keep their farcical crime numbers low and that comes in the form of an instruction to your local cops stating that they can only take crime details from the person who was the victim.  Therefore we cannot report the crime on your behalf.  If you were one of the victims please contact PIO (I have no idea what a PIO is but its a civilian and not a proper copper) 4877 Candice Lagor, quoting incident number 138-002062014.  She can be contacted by calling 101.  She can also be contacted direct on her email: candice.lagor4877@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk 

Good luck and a reminder to you all, if any was needed that this is the fifth time we have been attacked since last November.  If you can take your good stuff home with you, do so if you don’t want it sold in the Green Barrel the next day for about a tenth of what you paid for it.

Posted in Crime, News |

Death Of Henry Harel

28th May 2014 by Dogbury

It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of Henry Harrel who used garden numbers 56 and 57.

He died of cancer in Haywood House some days ago following a lengthy and largely unreported illness.  If anyone has any personal details about Henry concerning relatives or indeed anything else could they contact Jackie in the first instance.

You may add any comments you wish to make to this post if you feel it appropriate to do so.

Posted in News | Leave a Comment »

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY 9th MAY 2014

28th May 2014 by Dogbury

Present: Steve Yorke (Chairman),  Jackie Medcalf (Secretary), Steve Williams (Treasurer).  Jane Bowden,  Phil Hilsden,  Joe Dyer and Steve Medcalf.

Apologies:  Ronnie Gayle and Paul Marshall.

Chairman and group welcomed our new treasurer to the committee.

M& M’s from 23rd March 2014.

Read and approved. Steve M and Phil proposed and seconded.

COMPOST SALES: Decided compost money from sales can go straight to Steve W. Jackie to keep eye on stock levels as last year.

GATE: Jackie attending meeting next week hopefully their will be some info re council extra funding.

GATE KEYS: Steve M in process of costing will report back next meeting.

Proposed changes to rent year which was accepted at AGM will go ahead. Hopefully it will make a difference to the state of gardens we can let each year.

Reg’s Pots. Garden number 37 had been let; two other people had been put off by the amount of pots in the garden. Decision made to get skip and have a clear out. Phil to explore “free cycle “on the net to see if we can get rid of any.

Chairman: Had no further feedback from AGM everyone seemed to be positive. Briefly explained about availability of pallets which basically can be supplied to any gardener as and when required.

Secretary: Jackie reported that all gardens had now been let apart from 31. The intention being to get on and do some clearing when her garden allowed some time.

Committee told of one gardener who will not be able to move on as quickly as he hoped due to personal circumstances. Committee to offer help if required.

Concern over Henry who has not been seen after obviously being very unwell,Jackie to write to him.

Already a few gardeners had made no effort at all during weeks since the rent year started and had therefore had missed the start of the main growing season. One disappointingly is a new tenant. Others had previously been mentioned at inspection or had after consideration decided to keep their gardens on.

Action: Jackie to write to all those falling behind towards end of month setting out standards and giving one month to comply. Further action then to be taken if no response.

Treasurer: Still have a fairly healthy bank balance even taking into account the compost bill. Decide later which big project to do obviously our expenditure on the gardens has to be reported to the council.

Steve pursuing changing signatories etc with the bank, feeling that we should stay with Lloyds as it was local even though they are not the most dynamic at sorting things out.

AGENDA ITEMS

Jackie would like to look at the rules and regulations and give them a more modern feel, closely based on the inspection requirements and also our own expectations. Agreed that work could be undertaken. Obviously any proposed rule change would have to go to the AGM.

Discussed Steve Y idea of allowing a garden to be paid for and then left to lie for a year if gardener’s personal circumstances warranted “time out”. In principal it’s a good idea but could lead to more problems than solves. Agreed to put on back burner for a while.

It was agreed that an admin charge of £10 would be introduced for late payment (without prior agreement of delay in payment on time) on the rent bills next year. It is ridiculously time consuming having to chase payments and making separate arrangements to collect rent, then banking the money etc around a dozen gardeners had been late this year.

Bees: Decided not to create an area for hives at on Steve W’s advice. One of his hives will be placed on his garden later in year. If any other gardener wishes to have a hive please talk to us first. Advice and help can then be given. Person needs to be a member of the Nottingham Bee keeping association and receive the appropriate training.

Show and BBQ: Again to be held on August Bank holiday Saturday so the 23rd August.

Agreed: Phil to be in charge of liquid refreshments. Jackie/Steve will do shopping, catering and cooking.

Joe will be head judge aided by Steve.

Steve to enq if Kay and Peter will do admin for show.

Jackie suggested we moved the “social side” of party to the orchard to give more room.

Mower: Steve M queried if we should again look at purchasing one to use on communal areas.  All agreed it would help but all worried about security. To look at cost of a second -hand container, Maybe hire out space in it to gardeners.

Sadly our mean thief has struck again. Phil Shaw’s seed potatoes have been taken.

Secretary will do a notice re theft and access to others gardens. . Everyone agreed that this is a particularly mean low theft!

Wild flowers. Steve W raised prospect of having set aside areas to plant wild flowers which echoed Jackie’s ideas of forming some conservation areas. Would need to be signed designated areas to avoid well meaning but mistaken spaying.

Jackie to circulate dates for next meeting.

Posted in Minutes |

Garden Supplies On Sale Again

23rd Mar 2014 by Dogbury

This years supplies have now been delivered and the following are now available for purchase as follows:

  1. Growell Multi Purpose Compost – 60 litres @ £4.50p per bag.
  2. Mother Earth Multi Purpose Compost  – 70 litres @ £3.90p per bag.
  3. Grow Bags @ £2.60 per bag.
  4. Growmore 25Kgs @ £14.80p per bag.
  5. 8 foot long bamboo canes @ £0.40p each.

Th canes were not delivered but will be available later this week when we have fetched them.

All prices apart from the grow bags remain at the same competitive prices as last year, and they have only gone up by 10p each.

They will be sold again this year from the main committee meeting room instead of the poly tunnel which was the case last year.

If you need supplies see either Jackie Medcalf or Steve York.  Jackiw can be contacted on 07931 950950 and arrangements can be made with her for a meeting at the gardens.  The AGM next Sunday 30th would also be a good opportunity for you to get your hands on supples as there will be committee members available to sell them to you after the meeting.

Lastly, we would prefer that you pay in cash as chasing owed money can be very time consuming so please attend with the readies.

Posted in Home, Services |

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1st Mar 2014 by Dogbury

OLD PARK FARM GARDEN HOLDERS ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

SUNDAY 30TH MARCH AT 10AM.

NOMINATIONS FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS WELCOMED.

NOMINATION FORMS CAN BE SUPPLIED BY STEVE YORKE AND OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

THEY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE DURING THE RENTS WEEKEND OF 15TH /16TH MARCH. PLEASE NOTE NOMINATIONS MUST BE IN BY THE END OF THAT WEEKEND.

ANY AGENDA ITEMS YOU WISH DISCUSSED AT THE AGM SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO STEVE YORKE BY 21st MARCH.

Posted in Events |

MINUTES OF COMMITTEE MEETING 26th JANUARY 2014

10th Feb 2014 by Dogbury

Present: Chairman: Steve Yorke. Treasurer: Kay Graham. Secretary Jackie Medcalf. Phil Hilsden, Paul Marshall, Joe Dyer, Jane Bowden and Joe Dyer.

Apologies: Sos Inger

MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING
Chippings: We presume Sos has not had any chance to make contact re chippings.  Steve asked to follow up.
Gate: Jackie to pursue funding with council or other body.
Water: Will go back on after the AGM. One tap is leaking a bit Lol is going to dig it out and have a look before then.
Chairman: General thanks to Steve Medcalf and Pete Eady for repairs to gates and fences. Paul and Phil for clearing up Dan’s Garden.
Locks: Railway line one has been reported as faulty.
Main gate lock has become unreliable and does not always lock. Steve to try some WD.40 to see if that works.
Treasurer: reported that she has paid the Public liability Insurance. The welding to strengthen the gate cost £500.
Balance is now £3777.74.

INSPECTION
The secretary then read the report from the council, which now follows a standard set of criteria. Three garden holders, two with more than one plot were highlighted in the report. The state of the railway pathway and hedges were also highlighted. There are also other gardens, which give cause for concern. The secretary will send out letters before 9th Feb and ask for immediate responses as to continuance of or improvement of the gardens. One garden holder will be written to and told he will not be offered the rental on his plot this year. Overall the Council thought progress had been made and there was a general improvement from last year.

POSITION OF TREASURER
Kay is happy to fulfil her duties until the AGM and subsequent hand over. The accounts go to audit on 22nd April in time for AGM on 30th and Kay will step down officially then. Rents will be collected on site weekends of 15th/16th and 22/23rd March. Committee members to be around as well please. Copies of rents to be paid to be available so others can take rents in. Also expectations of council re standards of allotments to be given out..

BURGLARIES
This is in Narrative form by the secretary for the information of all gardeners.

On Wednesday 30th October 13 a hole was cut in the main gate, 6 gardens were entered, property was taken and damaged caused. The Police were informed.

On Wednesday 13th November 13 again a hole was cut in the main gate. This time 8 gardens were broken into. A lot of damage was done to gates and sheds property was taken. Again the Police were informed.

On Wednesday 26th January 14 the front gate wire was cut even though the gate had been strengthened. This time the only garden that appears to have been entered was the Medcalf’s. The gate and shed had been forced and a large heavy tiller was taken from its hiding place behind large planks of wood. The boundary fence had been cut to allow access to the car park on the industrial estate. However, although there were obvious signs the tiller had been taken from the garden and up the path no sign was seen of its being taken up the bank. The following day the Police visited and as it was not raining it was easy to see that the tiller was actually taken to the end car park, obviously with the intention of removing it from site by vehicle. Those of us who had attended each incident suspected that the thief had something to do with the gardens due to the apparent knowledge about the ownership/contents of the targeted gardens and the idea suggested by the entry that this was also the exit. We now know for sure the burglaries have been made to look like the work of a “stranger” when in fact the person who has caused so much damage and loss of property, never mind committee members time and your money to make repairs etc has a key. Therefore the assumption can only be we have a thief in our midst or at the best someone who is happy to give there key to someone else. Please pass on this information to other gardeners who don’t take the opportunity to read the minutes. I would hope that the culprit gives up their garden before our enquires find out who it is and they get arrested. The Police have a key to our gardens and are going to add it to their regular patrol rounds. If you have any information that you think would be helpful please inform the secretary.

AGM 30th MARCH.
To be advertised on the Web site and notice boards. Nominations for new members /agenda items to be included.

AOB
Skip. Agreed to have a skip for general use in the central car park. We have a lot of glass/debris to move from Dan’s garden, other than that all can use. A list of items not allowed will be published before and be on the skip site.
Suggested arrival date February 23rd

Committee to have another meeting on 23rd March to finalise AGM.

Jackie to do order for compost etc. to follow as last year apart from extra Gromore.

Donation to be made to Charity at Dan’s Funeral.

Jane brought up the subject of Bee keeping on site. This has already been requested and will be an item at the AGM.

Jackie to enquire about an Asbestos collection.

Nominations forms for Committee members need to be in two weeks before AGM. New committee members very welcome.
Meeting closed 11.10am

Posted in Home |

More Bad News

14th Nov 2013 by Dogbury

Hello all once more.  Yet again I contact you with bad news.  Overnight Wednesday / Thursday 13th / 14th November we were again visited by thieving b******s who have this time broken into all of the gardens on the top annexe.  As well as taking property and leaving stuff out for later collection they have once more done a considerable amount of damage in kicking doors and supports down as well as jemmying other doors off. They broke in by cutting through the wire on the upper annexe gate in the same way they cut through the wire on the main gate last time so its probably the same people who visited us last time. After attacking the upper gardens they appear to have come through onto the main garden area via hedge hopping, where they have broken into another four gardens that are apparent so far, so about nine gardens altogether have been entered.  Jackie and I have picked up the property that was left on the pathways, all of this was on the annexe garden paths and we will get it back to those whom we think it belongs in due course.  We have contacted all of those affected so if you haven’t had a message left from us you are probably OK.  If we have missed you however would you let us know that you have been attacked.  We have informed the Police yet again and they have said they will visit. Additionally if you are a victim they will contact you direct themselves.  If you need to contact them yourselves please quote incident number 174/14112013 to them calling 101 to make contact with their none emergency line.  I have contacted a mobile welding company who will attend on Monday next to carry out some extra work to the gates to try and make this particular method of entry less likely in the future.  The fact is we have become an attraction for some enterprising young man for whom thieving from us is obviously easier than getting a job.  There is little we can do apart from the obvious to stop him or indeed her so could we ask that if you have anything at all of value on the allotments that you take it home and store it there over the winter period.  The Police aren’t going to be able to do much either I don’t expect so its really down to us individually to make the gardens as unappealing as possible to them in the future.

Posted in Crime, News |

Another Set Of Burglaries

1st Nov 2013 by Dogbury

Hello all, its been a while since I posted anything on here, due in great part to the fact I have been very busy doing other things including moving house into one which pretty much needed rebuilding.  Anyway I am now back and the first item of news is unfortunately not good.  Overnight this week between Weds 30th and Thursday 31st October somebody entered the gardens and proceeded to burgle 6 gardens apparently at random.  Three were done on the main path, two on the rear path adjacent to the post office and one in the north corner.  In all but one case it seems that they were after petrol as that is all that has been taken, however one member had a considerable amount of damage done to buildings in their garden including the slashing of poly-tunnel walls, which we all agreed was a very thoughtful act indeed.   There was no sign of any break in around the perimeter fence so they have either climbed in or it was an internal job, who knows?  We may, of course, have missed a garden here or there which may have been entered so if yours has or you know of any other would you please inform a helpful member of the committee so that I can update the Police.  Alternatively you may inform them yourself.  Call the Police on 101 and quote crime reference 239/31102013 which can then be updated and passed on to whomever they allocate to deal with the matter.  Please remember also that the water will be turned off at the end of next week for the winter period, so if you need to store any now is the time to do it.

Posted in Crime, Events |

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