News Archive 05 - 06
Allotment Competition 2005
The judges visited all London Borough of Hillingdon allotment sites to choose potential winners. Selection was based on the standard of cultivation, variety and quality of plants, also evidence of unique features. The second round of judging took place in August during National Allotment Week.
The results were announced in November during the HAHF annual general meeting at the Civic Centre. Hillingdon cabinet member for the environment Councillor Sandra Jenkins presented the awards.
Promoting Allotments
Hillingdon Online news published brief comments from Marianne Slater (chair of Hillingdon Allotment and Horticultural Federation), Sue Hazeldean (course tutor from Hillingdon Adult Education Service), Janice Newman (an allotment plot holder), and Alan Preece (Hillingdon Council's Nature Conservation Officer).
Compost bins on special offer for Hillingdon residents
The Waste Management division is offering residents an opportunity to purchase compost bins at a reduced cost of £5. Simply send your orders with a cheque or postal order to: Mr Duncan Jones, Waste Development Manager, London Borough of Hillingdon Waste Division, Central Depot - Block A, 128, Harlington Road Depot, Hillingdon UB8 3EY. The bins will be delivered to your home address. (Please note that this information was published in 2005.)
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Farewell to our allotment officer
Damien Searle occupied the post for 5 months. It was one of the roles he fulfilled during a one-year contract in the Greenspaces department. He achieved a lot during the 2 days a week he was allowed to spend on allotments.
Comments from a plot holder on the Fairway site reflect the thoughts of many. He suggested Damien should be commended for the number of tasks he managed to complete.
Best wishes to Damien for his new role as Parks Officer in Ruislip and Northwood.
The future of the allotment officer post is uncertain.
Food Fair in Uxbridge
Members of the Federation provided an interesting display of produce from local allotments during a food fair at the Pavillions shopping Centre in September.
Garden Organic
Garden Organic is the new name adopted by the former Henry Doubleday Association (HDRA). The change of name was marked by the launch of a new campaign to promote organic gardening. They provided free grow packs by post. Further details available from the Get Set Grow website.
Preparing for the next allotment competition
Preparation for the 2006 competition started when the judges met at the end of March. They discussed arrangements for the first and second round of visits to the London Borough of Hillingdon allotment sites. The first round will be in June (11th - 25th). Teams of two judges will visit all of the sites to assess individual allotment plots. Marks will be awarded in the following categories: standard of cultivation, variety and quality of plants, signs of pest damage and diseases. Special noteworthy features and evidence of composting will be included in the award.
Plotholders can start preparing by numbering their plots, planting a good range of crops and labelling them, keeping paths clear, edges straight and adding some 'noteworthy features'.
The second round of visits will be in August (14th - 20th), (during National Allotment Week). A team of three expert judges will visit the best 60 - 70 plots to award marks based on a similar criteria as round one. The total marks from both rounds will be calculated to decide the top 50 plots.
Allotment sites are also assessed for the following awards: Best Small Site with less than 50 plots; Best Large Site with over 50 plots; and the Best London Borough Hillingdon Site. The assessment will include overall appearance of the site, condition of common paths, evidence of communal areas, notice boards and waste disposal.
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Distribution of allotment newsletter
The Spring 2006 issue of the newsletter was published in May. Allotment site secretaries will distribute copies to plot holders on their site. Other allotment plot holders will have to wait for a postal copy from the Greenspaces department. Online versions of recent newsletters are available from this website.
Allotment Taster Sessions and Courses in 2006
Hillingdon Adult Education are organising a number of taster sessions and short courses at Highgrove and Hayes End allotment sites during April and May. Members of the Federation will be available to provide support.
Allotment feature in Ruislip and Northwood Gazette
There was an interesting report by Chene Koscielny in September about the history of allotments and some of the current trends. Chene noted the increased number of women and young people who are discovering the advantages of allotment gardening. She interviewed two plot holders from different age groups. Alan Ellingham at Hill House and Clare Mumford at West Drayton Cemetery.
Clare Mumford
Allan Ellingham
(Photographs by Chris Berry in the Ruislip and Northwood Gazette).
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Promoting allotments at the traditional summer fete 2006.
The federation presented an interesting display of fruits, vegetables and flowers from various local allotments at the Mall Pavilion's summer fete on August 14th.
There was a steady flow of visitors to the stand during the day. A number of people enquired about renting allotments. They also asked a wide range of questions about allotment gardening and general horticulture, especially measures to cope with the drought.
An additional attraction was the opportunity to win a hamper of fruit and vegetables. Visitors were invited to guess the number of nuts in a jar.
Allotment officer appointed full time
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A full time allotment officer was appointed in November 06. Nick Porter has a wealth of experience and appropriate qualification from Capel Manor College. He is based in the Green Spaces team at the Civic Centre. Email nporter@hillingdon.gov.uk |
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