Stanley Road Allotment & Garden Society (SRAGS)

HaPpY nEw YeAr 2012

2012-01-07T12:10:00.000Z

Happy New Year to you all.

A New Year means that Membership fee's are now due

John Bresman will be knocking on your door shortly, so please have your membership fee of £3 (yes only £3!!) at the ready.

Please also note the new opening times for Sundays.

Special Opening Offer for SRAGS Members on Beanie Hats

2011-10-16T14:14:00.000+01:00

The First 20 Orders placed will be able to purchase

either a

Beanie Hat at £10

Hat with Ear Flaps at £12

Navy Blue

KEEP WARM AT IN THE WINTER MONTHS

AT THE ALLOTMENT

IN THE GARDEN

GOING FOR A STROLL

SHOPPING

WITH A HAND CROCHETED BEANIE HAT

ALL HATS ARE HAND CROCHETED BY ALI

FROM

WWW.GETHOOKEDONCROCHET.CO.UK

CAN BE WORN BY BOTH LADIES & GENTS

BEANIE HATS COST £13.50

HATS WITH EAR FLAPS COST £15.50

P&P £2 (where needed or can be collected)

PLEASE EMAIL

ALI

campbellmac44@gmail.com

with your order and colour preference

(most colours available) & full contact details or call

07796 855636

REMEMBER TO MENTION SRAGS WHEN YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER

Most wools will by an Acrylic / Wool mix

Machine Washable

(unless otherwise stated on the label)

Multi Brown

Red with ear flaps

Purple

Rainbow Multi Colour with ear flaps

Red with Ear Flaps

Red Beanie

Grey & Blue Beanie

Seed Potato Orders .......

2011-08-25T08:41:00.000+01:00

Seed Potato Orders can be made at the Trading Hut

this Bank Holiday weekend.

(open Saturday & Sunday mornings)

ONLY 85p PER KILO - Yes ONLY 85p PER KILO!!
First Early

Second Early

Maincrop

YOU CAN ALSO PLACE YOUR GARLIC ORDERS AT THE SAME TIME

ORDER FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE TRADING HUT

Carshalton Lavender Annual Harvest

2011-07-14T13:10:00.000+01:00

Annual harvest

Pick-your-own days:
Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July, 10am to 4pm both days
at Stanley Road Allotments

Come and join us at this year's community harvest. You'll be able to pick-your-own lavender
and enjoy the sights, smells and tranquility of the field.

NEW for 2011 - paint-your-own lavenderThis year, we'll be joined by the Corner Gallery who will be giving
children and adults alike the chance to indulge their creative side.
Paint a piece of our picture, and be in with a chance to take the
painting home with you.

Pick-your-own lavenderEvery year, thousands of people join us to pick their own lavender -
perfect for brightening up your home, or giving as a gift.

Small bunches: £1; Large bunches: £2; Buckets: from £6

Please bring scissors if you have them, a bag for your lavender and protection from the sun.

Extra attractions:

Lavender beauty products
Aromatherapy and massage
BBQ
Face-painting
Plant sale
Lavender crafts
Distillation demonstrations
Information display
Lavender cookies
Paint-your-own lavender

Take a step back in timeCome along and see how we produce our famous Carshalton Lavender oil.
We distil our own oil on the site using the traditional methods.
The still will be working during the harvest weekend - and you'll be able
to see the distillation process in action.

How to get here

By rail:		frequent trains from London Victoria, West Croydon and Sutton to Carshalton Beeches - 10 minute signposted walk
	154	West Croydon - Morden: alight in Stanley Park Road
	127	Purley-Tooting Broadway: alight in Woodcote Road at the junction of Stanley Park Road
	157	Crystal Palace-Morden: alight in Stafford Road outside Sainsbury's
Sat only:	S4	Roundshaw-St Helier: alight in Gaynesford Road

Please come by public transport or cycle if you can. Parking is very limited.

Can you help?We're currently looking for volunteers to help man our stall. If you have a couple of hours to spare 30th or 31st July and would like to help out we would love to hear from you - please send us an email to carshaltonlavender@yahoo.co.uk or call 07948 174907.

Or why not come and help us out on the field ahead of the harvest weekend? Take a look at our volunteering page for more information.

Update on the Site Inspection

2011-05-14T15:18:00.000+01:00

Update on the site inspection

I thought you would like to know that the site inspection was carried out on Wednesday, 11 May and that the result was passed to the Council’s Park Service.

The inspection found 11 plots, or 5% of the total number of plots, failed to meet the benchmark of 75% cultivation set by the Council. In some cases, no evidence had been found that plots had even been worked since the start of the year. The Council has sent out non-cultivation letters to 10 of the 11 plot holders whose plots were identified in the inspection (the Council has decided to be lenient to the remaining tenant because the plot had only been let a few weeks earlier.)

The next step is that all 11 plots will be re-inspected in mid-June. If the plots are still not up to the required level of cultivation, then final notices to quit will be issued and the plots will then become available to be offered to the waiting list.

May I take the opportunity on behalf of the inspection team to say how impressed we were with the majority of the plots. There were just a few minor blemishes to come to light. First, there are still a handful of plots with no plot number to identify the plots. Could these plot holders rectify this minor deficiency? Number plates can be ordered from the trading hut for as little as £1 each.

Secondly, may I ask plot holders in co-operation with your neighbours to maintain the minor paths between plots. These paths will help you to get about your business more easily and they also set off plots.

Finally, if any plot holder is interested in renting an additional mini plot, please let me know. I think we might be able to help.

Thanks for your continuing co-operation.

Site Rep

14 May 2011

Children on Site

2011-05-08T09:57:00.000+01:00

Important Notice

As more and more people are getting out to work on their allotments, please remember to show consideration to your neighbour who might wish to enjoy his gardening in peace.

Those of you who have children and wish to take them on site to encourage them to take an interest in growing food, Please remember that:

1. You are responsible for their safety at all times and that they remain under your personal supervision at all times while they are on the allotment.

2. Children must not be allowed to roam unsupervised over the allotment. The allotment is not a playground. There are many potential hazards on an allotment site. This makes it vitally important that you take responsibility for the safety of your children. Better to be safe than sorry.

Site Rep

May 2011

A Busy Weekend - Spring 2011

2011-04-20T17:16:00.000+01:00

The Sun is out and so are the Allotmenteers at Stanley Road Allotments and Garden Society!!

Blossom is busy watering the raised beds on the Orchard Hill plots

Derek is busy lounging!!

(alright for some )

To be fair he is on duty at the Trading Hut today and making the most of a quiet spell

Nikki - another hose in use in this hot weather!

Ron is weeding away

Michael has just arrived with a car load of equipment

Nigel has spotted a slug or is it hidden treasure?

A busy bee further along the site with a lovely pink trug!

Arthur is about to go and tend to his seedlings in his greenhouse

Ciao! Michael

A happy shopper - just been to the Trading Hut

This nice lady (it took me a while to persuade her to pose for the camera) is being sensible in the heat with a sun hat! A good example to others.

The lovely George - he's making me feel hot with his "winter" cap on

His plot partner Perry doing all the hard work

Nick is looking pleased with his efforts and so he should - a nice neat plot there Nick!

And another sensible lady wearing a sun hat in this scorcher

So come on you fellow allotment plot holders - the sun is out - get to the Trading Hut - buy what you need and get your plots ready for the busy seasons that we have ahead of us!

Two Very Special Birthdays!

2011-01-31T08:56:00.000Z

Not only did we, at the Stanley Road Allotments, celebrate one 80th Birthday, but two!

Congratulations to Mavis Peart

Ron Nash

They are both very dedicated members of the SRAGS Comittee, Ron is also one of the shop managers and both are still very very keen and active allotment gardeners.

p.s. sorry about the quality of the photographs - I forgot my camera and had to use my mobile!!

Trading Hut Re-Opens for 2011

2011-01-05T08:44:00.000Z

Trading Shop re-opens on Saturday 12th February 2011

Saturdays 11.00am to 1.00pm

Sundays 9.45am to Noon

New for 2011

Gift Vouchers to spend in the Trading Shop an ideal Gift

Snow!

2010-12-26T10:22:00.000Z

The snow has come for the 3rd time this year. This picture was taken on Christmas Eve. I do hope you all managed to dig out your parsnips and potatoes before this last lot arrived!!

Hope you all had a Very Merry Chirstmas and wishing you all a Very Happy New Year.

Sow and Extra Row and help Others in Need

2010-11-21T09:05:00.000Z

I would like to spread the word - please feel free to pass this GREAT idea on.

This is from a fellow Allotmenteer and Twitter from Ireland.

http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2010/11/sow-extra-row-and-help-others-in-need.html

Be Prepared for Winter - FREE GRIT

2010-11-03T20:55:00.000Z

Be prepared for Winter

Free grit available from Sutton Council

Free 10Kg bag of grit for each household for use on footpaths, pavements or roads at the front of your home.

Can collect from Woodcote Green Garden Centre

Woodmansterne Lane

Wallington
10.30am – 4.30pm on Sunday 7th November

Collect from the Express Drive Thru only

Proof of residency in the London Borough of Sutton is required so please take your council tax bill or current utility bill.

Childrens Competition Cancelled

2010-08-29T11:38:00.000+01:00

Stanley Road Allotment and Garden Society are sad to announce the cancellation of the Children's Competition for 2010.

This is due to only have 2 entrants for this year (who of course are entitled to their entry fees back) compared to over 25 last year.

This is a great shame, not only for the 2 children that did enter, but for the work (voluntary) that members of the committee and other plot holders puts into setting up this competition e.g. preparing/designing posters, printing, laminating, putting them up, entry forms, sourcing trophies & fundraising to support all of these purchases.

Lets hope that there is more interested children for our 2011 competition.

Sutton In Bloom 2010

2010-07-09T15:59:00.000+01:00

Ali Campbell from plot 144 entered her allotment in the Sutton in Bloom 2010 competition.
This was her first ever entry & she is pleased to announce that she came 4th out of 15 so very well done for a first entry Ali!

The Judges comments were ‘a terrific effort. Good use of all the space. Very well done. Good composting’.

Pictures from the BBQ

2010-07-07T10:30:00.000+01:00

A great day was had by all who attended the BBQ on Sunday 4th July 2010

Fun in the sun, harvesting & BBQ 4th July 2010

2010-06-27T19:38:00.000+01:00

With the temperatures soaring today, only a few braved the allotments.

However some did find a novel way to cool down - hitch a ride in dad's wheelbarrow!

Nikki also had a good morning harvesting her delicious strawberries! Yummy

Remember that Sunday the 4th July 2010 is BBQ day

12noon until 2pm

Please RSVP to Nigel so he can cater for all that want to attend

nyoungman1@hotmail.co.uk

This is from the Newsletter emailed to all our members in early June

Site Representative

Your Site Representative is Carl Brown, Plots 10A and 46A. Tel: 020 8770 9760

BARBEQUE

Sunday - 4th July, 2010 - Noon until 2pm

On Sunday 4th July our friends from the Roundshaw Allotments will be retuning a visit we made to them last year at which we will be having a Barbeque to which ALL our members and their friends are invited. Admission is free and refreshments will be at very reasonable prices.

This will be an ideal opportunity for gardeners, allotment and otherwise, to meet and swap tips, tell tall stories and generally boast about their prowess with the hoe and spade.

It is hoped that as many plot holders will be present to support the Committee and make the event a success.

· The Trading Hut will be open and members of the committee will be present to answer questions, to listen to suggestions and to receive offers of support.

Visitors will be welcome to inspect the site but it is requested that you keep to the main tracks and pathways.

· Children Your children and young people are welcome at our allotments where we hope they will learn to appreciate the joys of cultivation and the wonder of watching a tiny seed develop into a beautiful flower or something tasty to eat but PLEASE remember allotments are not playgrounds and can be dangerous places. Children are not allowed on the site unsupervised and when with you please make sure that they always stay on, or close to, your plot.

Final Reminder

BARBEQUE

Sunday 4th July, 2010

12 Noon to 2pm

Bring your family and friends

RSVP

nyoungman1@hotmail.co.uk

Remember! If you have a garden you need

The Stanley Road Allotment & Garden Society

Taps / Saving Water

2010-06-22T10:30:00.001+01:00

Don’t waste a drop

When watering on the allotment could everybody be conscious about water usage and wastage.

Hosepipes can be used but must be held at all times.

Sprinklers spikes and bars are not to be used.

Please ensure all taps are turned off fully.

Demand is high at the moment, so please be aware of other plot holders needs.

Any leaks should be reported to the Site Rep.

BONFIRES - what you need to know

2010-05-27T11:46:00.000+01:00

Although it is not illegal to have a bonfire, it is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to cause a statutory nuisance. This includes smoke, fumes or gases “emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance” and can include nuisance created by bonfires.

In addition, allowing smoke to drift over nearby roads may also lead to prosecution under the Highways Act.

So, before you light a bonfire, please consider whether there are other ways of disposing of the material e.g. by composting it or by taking it to the Council’s recycling facility at Kimpton Road. This would remove the risk of neighbour complaints.

If, however, you decide to have a bonfire, please observe these simple guidelines:

Show consideration for the neighbours in the surrounding properties. Ideally, let them know when there is going to be a fire.
Avoid burning at the weekend and on bank holidays when people are more likely to be in their gardens. Choose a suitable week-day evening after 6.30pm.
Avoid lighting up in unsuitable weather conditions. Smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening.
Avoid burning when the wind will carry the smoke over roads or into other people’s property.
Only burn dry material. Never burn household rubbish, rubber or anything containing plastics, foam or paint.
Never use old engine oil, methylated spirits or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it.
Do not light fires near a boundary fence or near sheds. Remember sheds may contain petrol and other highly combustible materials.
Never, never leave a fire unattended or to smoulder.
Before you leave the site, douse out the fire with water. Don’t take a chance that it might rain overnight or that the fire will burn itself out. It might not and residents from a nearby property might mistakenly call the fire brigade on a false errand.

Let’s avoid this situation.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Council Inspectors......

2010-05-20T11:32:00.000+01:00

Just in case you were wondering, it's not a myth - the council inspectors really do come to the Site every year to carry out their non cultivation inspection.

Here's the proof!

Wednesday 19th May 2010

Spring has Sprung at SRAGS

2010-04-17T19:56:00.000+01:00

The sun was out, and so were the allotment plot holders!

I decided to have a little walk around the site and take some photos of the happy people digging, potting, reading, tea supping & simply enjoying the good weather, the plane free skies and the fresh air!

Rebecca and her space hopper with Mum & Dad in the background planting potatoes

Michael working hard (as always) on 121a

Making a protective frame

Weeding the Strawberries

What a perfect plot!

Number 82 standing on guard

Plot Holder 56a reading up on pear tree pests!!

Mr & Mrs digging away - together!

Plot 109 having a cuppa

Sifting the soil is hard work in this sun!

A young allotmenteer helping with the weeding

A young family working the plot together in the good weather.

It was very encouraging to see so many people out and about today. Lets hope that this great weather continues and more plots are cultivated!

However, please do not be lured into a false sense of security - we are still getting a slight morning frost, so if you do plant out young plants / seedlings remember to protect them with a horticulture fleece or a poly tunnel cloche - all available from the TRADING HUT - only £2 a year - yes only £2 a year to benefit from huge savings and a friendly smile with every shop!!

Site Inspection May 2010

2010-03-18T07:33:00.000Z

SITE INSPECTION

Plot holders should be aware that the Council is expected to carry out a site inspection of this allotment in late May.

The precise date is not known. Plot holders should take advantage of this early warning and of the improved spring weather to ensure that at least 75% of the plot, on a visual inspection, is cultivated. This 75% figure was the criterion applied last year and it is reasonable to assume that it will apply again this year.

Also, remember to ensure that your plot is clearly marked. This could make a difference. Plot markers are available from the Trading Hut for as little as £1.

If anyone is aware of any extenuating circumstances why someone is unable to work his/her plot, then please let me know. Otherwise, let’s get down to it and avoid the controversies of last year.

Site Rep

18 March 2010

Behind the Scenes

2010-03-10T15:48:00.000Z

This is what goes on at the allotment site when a delivery arrives for the Trading Hut.....

It's all hands on deck....

The lorry arrives. Arthur & Derek are keen to get stuck in straight away....

That's Arthur & Derek

Ron is making a cup of coffee for the driver

Arthur & Derek are keen to unloading straight away....

Ron is inside helping with the stacking up of the goods

And all this has to be supervised....

So John volunteers for that job!

When the lorry is unloaded, a cup of tea is called for because all that hard work is thirsty work!

Well done lads!

APPEAL for HALF A PLOT

2010-02-21T13:18:00.000Z

Are there any SRAGS plot holders out there, who are finding a whole plot too much for them to manage? Did you not get as much allotment work done as you would have liked to last year? Are you in fear of being "told off" for non cultivation of your plot?

If you can answer YES to any of these questions, then we have the solution for you!

Mr Brian Tiernan, a local resident & a Member of SRAGS, who is a regular of the Trading Hut, is keen to take on half a plot & is even more keen to get stuck in to the work needed to fully cultivate half a plot that will take on the vegetable growing capabilities that is required for 2010

ASAP.

If you would like to take on a "partner" then please call Brian on 0203 044 4072 - that's 0203 044 4072

Call into the Trading Hut on a Saturday or a Sunday morning to leave your details which will be passed on.

Thank You.

Potatoes, Spuds, Tatties - READY FOR COLLECTION NOW!

2010-02-19T14:07:00.000Z

Yes it's that time of year again! Your potato orders are in at the Trading Hut

& ready for collection

Please see Nigel on Saturday or Sunday

To collect yours ready for chitting!

ALSO

2010 Membership Fees are now being collected - also at the Trading Hut

so please come to see us ASAP

to renew your membership

to avoid having John Bresman call at your door!!

The Good Growing Guides by my friends at Fennel & Fern

2010-01-03T16:28:00.000Z

Take a look at this invaluable website Fennel & Fern . You will find lots of growing tips for all garden lovers be it flowers or vegetables. Written by people passionate about gardening, you will soon find yourself absorbed in "Real Gardens" or "Monthly Jobs."

I want to share their "Grow" section with you. Click on this tab "GROW" you will be directed straight to this great page. The Good Growing Guide is a series of downloadable, quick reference postcards with all the information you will need down at your plot! Great idea!!

On Tuesday the 5th January 2010 these postcards will be available for sale, so go and take a look - they will make a great gift for you (treat yourself) or someone that you may know who is just starting out in the wonderful world of allotment gardening!

Seasons Greetings

2009-12-06T10:44:00.000Z

Wishing You All

Very Merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year

2010

SRAGS Childrens Competition Winners!

2009-09-27T16:05:00.002+01:00

It was 2pm on Sunday the 27th of September & the excitement was building!

So much so that at 1 minute past 2 o'clock, the judges were reminded that the

prize giving was running late!

Most of the children who had entered, all those months ago, were waiting in the September sunshine for the results of all their hard work.

There were to be prizes for the following catagories:

Tallest Sunflower

In 3rd Place was Oliver Swettenham - Plot 122a

In 2nd Place

Harry Rogers - Plot 101a

And in 1st place

Ella Rogers - Plot 101a who grew a 10ft 10inch Sunflower!

The next catagory was the Biggest Marrow and in 3rd Place was

Daniel Connew - Plot 131

In 2nd place Emily Graham

in 1st place Amy Graham who managed a really fat 2ft in length marrow!

Both from plot 110

Amy (left) & Emily (right)

Next was the biggest Pumpkin

In 3rd Place was Amy Graham

In 2nd Place - Emily Graham (see picture above)

with a whopper of a 42 inch cirumference pumpkin was

Daniel Connew - Plot 131

Daniel proudly holding his prize trophy and gift voucher!

Last but by no means least was the Scarecrow entry.

Timmy Murhpy - Plot 144a won 3rd place

with his laid back scarecrow lounging on a swing

Gina Hazel from plot 110 got 2nd place with this entry

However 1st Prize was won by Joe Bonard from plot 113 with his Scarecrow,

who was considered by an independant outsider to be the scariest of them all......

This Scarecrow certainly scares me everytime I am working on my plot 121 which is quite close to 113!

So it was a great effort by all the children that entered and we hope that they will already be thinking of ways to get into the top 3 ready for next years competition!

Well done to you all

Some of the Prize Winners

A collage of the entries

From Final SRAGS kids comp

Shed Break In's

2009-09-20T09:39:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday night (15th September) a number of sheds on site were broken into and some were severely damaged.

If you have been a victim, even if no damage has been done or nothing taken it should still be reported to the police, ideally in person at Wallington Police Station and a Crime Reference Number obtained.

The non urgent police number is 0300 123 1212.

However if the event is reported a Crime Number must be obtained. This is unlikely to lead to any startling arrests but it will at least flag up in the police records, that we are having problems, forcing them, we hope, to increase surveillance.

Information Board & Benches - Sutton Community Funding

2009-07-30T07:09:00.005+01:00

Yesterday, we took delivery of an information board, which is proudly installed inside the main entrance of the site.

We also took delivery of a couple of benches, one for Gill Maynard, in memory of her husband Peter, a former committee member and a stalwart of the allotment society.

The benches will be installed in the garden area in the front, which will be made a feature to the entrance of the site. This area will be a communal area for rest and reflection.

There are also a couple of direction posts to make the site less daunting for new comers and visitors.

These improvements were funded by the Sutton Community Fund, which generously gave us a grant of £2,000 earlier this year, and for which we are most grateful. I hope that members will make good use of these facilities.

Carl Brown - Site Rep
30 July 2009

Carshalton Lavender Weekend

2009-07-27T10:52:00.005+01:00

Over the weekend (25-26 July) we harvested the whole field apart from 6 rows which we left as people were busy picking their own there.

We may harvest what's left there later.

Some of what we harvested went straight into our new still and we were delighted that it worked very well. I think our visitors were fascinated to see the whole traditional process carried out in front of their eyes. We got a good yield of excellent quality oil from this - the first distillation on this scale in Carshalton for probably 150 years.

The rest of the flowers we harvested went off to Norfolk to a commercial distiller - we had booked this earlier as a reserve just in case we had any problems with our own still, but in future we plan to do the whole job here.

Much our lavender oil will be sold as before in 5 ml bottles either direct to customers or through various local groups. The rest will be sold to health food shops and other outlets, and some will be made into a variety of products such as those which were on sale at the stalls during our open days. All the proceeds of our sales go to maintaining the lavender field and taking forward our work of restoring the traditional lavender industry.

Carshalton Lavender Pick Your Own Weekend

2009-07-22T09:29:00.006+01:00

Our neighbours Carshalton Lavender, are hosting their annual Pick Your Own / Harvest weekend, this coming weekend - 25th & 26th July 2009

10am-4pm

both days at
Stanley Road Allotments

Extra attractions:
NEW Lavender oil distillation
Lavender arts & crafts
Local artists at work
Aromatherapy/massage
Lavender beauty products
Barbecue
Lavender cookies
Speciality breads
Beekeepers
Information display
Lavender plants for sale

PYO lavender
Small bunches, £1; large bunches, £2; buckets, from £6

Please bring scissors if you have them, a bag for your lavender and protection from the sun, if it’s sunny.

The Local Lavender Project was established by environmental charity

BioRegional Development
Group, with the London Borough of Sutton, Yardley
of London and Downview Prison. It aims to restore
the world-famous lavender industry of Carshalton
and Mitcham. Enthusiasts from Downview grew and
planted cuttings on vacant Council allotments. Each
summer the public are invited to pick their own
lavender and the remainder of the crop is made into Lavender Essential Oil.

Since 2003, a group of volunteers, ‘Carshalton Lavender’, has managed the field and organised the harvest days at Stanley Road Allotments.

For more information and/or if you would like to help out, please ring 07948 174907. You can also visit http://www.carshaltonlavender.org/

How to get there… (postcode for Oaks Way entrance is SM5 4NQ)

By rail: frequent trains from London Victoria, West Croydon and Sutton to
Carshalton Beeches – 10 minute walk
By bus: 154 West Croydon – Morden: alight in Stanley Park Road
127 Purley – Tooting Broadway:alight in Woodcote Rd at the junction of Stanley Park Road
157 Crystal Palace – Morden: alight in Stafford Road outside Sainsbury’s
Saturdays only- S4 Roundshaw – St Helier: alight in Gaynesford Road

Please come by public transport or cycle if you can. Parking is very limited.

CHILDREN'S COMPETITION!

2009-05-15T14:58:00.002+01:00

SRAGS CHILDREN'S COMPETITION
(under 16’s & available to allotment plot holders only)

Categories are:

· Largest Pumpkin – measuring around the circumference (middle bit at widest part)

· Tallest Sunflower (From top to base)
· Biggest Marrow (the judges will decide!)

· Best Scarecrow (male or female) – must be more than 3ft in height

Judging will take place on Sunday 27th September 2009 at 2pm

All entries must be available for viewing by the Judges on Saturday 26th September 2009 on the members plot & clearly marked with entrant’s name

There will be a 1st, 2nd & 3rd Prize for each category including a trophy for each 1st prize awarded

1st Prize – Trophy & £15 Gift Voucher
2nd Prize - £10 Gift Voucher
3rd Prize - £5 Gift Voucher

ENTRY FORM AVAILABLE IN THE TRADING HUT
Closing date for entries – 31st July 2009

Competition Rules
The SRAGS Children’s Competition (under 16’s) open to Allotment Gardeners Children only as entries will be judged on site / plots
These are the following 5 Categories –
(you can enter as little or as many as you wish)
· Largest Pumpkin (measuring around the circumference the middle bit at widest part)
· Tallest Sunflower (From top to base)
· Biggest Marrow (the judges will decide!)
· Best Scarecrow (male or female) – must be more than 3ft in height
1.The decision of the judges and committee must be accepted as final.
2. The committee cannot be held responsible for any accident, loss or damage to exhibitors, spectators or their entries howsoever caused.
3. ALL ENTRIES must available to the judges for viewing on members plots on Saturday 26th September 2009.
4. ALL ENTRIES must be grown by the named child on the entry form and grown on site & plot stated
5. ALL ENTRIES must be available on the members plot (as per entry form) at the time of judging for inspection / measuring / photographs (which may be used on the website or the blog)
6. All entry’s must be clearly marked with child’s name e.g. Sally’s Pumpkin & Peter’s Scarecrow (as there may be more than one child from the same family taking part)
7. All entrants must be there in person at the presentation of prizes on Sunday 27th September 2009 from 2pm onwards to receive their prize. Failure to do will result in the prizes being withheld.
8. All entrants’ parents must be members of the Stanley Road Allotment & Garden Society
9. Cups / trophies to be held for one year only
THE ENTRY FORM WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE TRADING HUT AND WILL BE CLOSED FROM 31ST JULY 2009.

BONFIRES - What you need to know

2009-05-09T07:51:00.003+01:00

Bonfires - What you need to Know

Although it is not illegal to have a bonfire, it is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to cause a statutory nuisance. This includes smoke, fumes or gases “emitted from premises so as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance” and can include nuisance created by bonfires.

In addition, allowing smoke to drift over nearby roads may also lead to prosecution under the Highways Act.

So, before you light a bonfire, please consider whether there are other ways of disposing of the material e.g. by composting it or by taking it to the Council’s recycling facility at Kimpton Road. This would remove the risk of neighbour complaints.

If, however, you decide to have a bonfire, please observe these simple guidelines:

Show consideration for the neighbours in the surrounding properties. Ideally, let them know when there is going to be a fire.
Avoid burning at the weekend and on bank holidays when people are more likely to be in their gardens. Choose a suitable week-day evening after 6.30pm.
Avoid lighting up in unsuitable weather conditions. Smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days and in the evening.
Avoid burning when the wind will carry the smoke over roads or into other people’s property.
Only burn dry material. Never burn household rubbish, rubber or anything containing plastics, foam or paint.
Never use old engine oil, methylated spirits or petrol to light the fire or to encourage it.
Do not light fires near a boundary fence or near sheds. Remember sheds may contain petrol and other highly combustible materials.
Never, never leave a fire unattended or to smoulder.
Before you leave the site, douse out the fire with water. Don’t take a chance that it might rain overnight or that the fire will burn itself out. It might not and residents from a nearby property might mistakenly call the fire brigade on a false errand.

Let’s avoid this situation.
Thank you for your cooperation.

Site Rep - 9th May 2009

SITE REPORT ON SUTTON ALLOTMENT GROUP MEETING 21.APR.2009

2009-04-23T08:24:00.002+01:00

Site Report on Sutton Allotment Group Meeting on 21 April 2009

The meeting was attended by John Bresman and I from Stanley Road. Not surprisingly, the discussion was dominated by the site inspections that have been carried out so far. It emerged that only fully- tenanted sites are subject to periodic inspections, hence this is the first for Stanley Road and Demesne Road Allotments.

Overall, the feeling was that the Council was right to send out a message that given the high demand for allotments across the Borough and the record waiting lists, it was not acceptable for large portions of plots to be left unworked. Bill Wyatt, who carried out the inspection at Stanley Road with Di Wood, accepted that inspections are a matter of judgement even though they tried to be as objective as possible. In carrying out the inspections, they used as a benchmark a recommendation from the London Allotment Officers’ Forum (this is a body to which Local Authority officers with responsibility for allotments belong.)

In December 2008, the Forum agreed that:
“…a plot that is less than 75% worked could be defined as an uncultivated plot. Allotment law stipulates that there should be evidence of at least 25% of the plot should be worked in the first 3 months and 75% of the plot should be worked within the year.”

In discussion, it was accepted by Bill Wyatt and his staff that there could be arguments whether the amount of cultivation on a plot at the time of the inspection met the 75% criteria. He also conceded that the benchmark might be incompatible with the image on page 5 of the Allotment Guidelines of a leisure garden: “complete with a lawn, flower borders, summerhouse, a bench in the sun, a vegetable patch and even a swing for the children.” However, in the latter case, he did say that if there was evidence that the lawn was tended, it would be taken into account. More generally, ‘75% cultivation’ would be taken to mean visible and unmistakeable evidence that the plot has been tilled or worked, dug over or maintained. It was not enough to simply cover over large areas in plastic.

For the first time, the Council also signalled its intention to act against those who brought rubbish onto allotment sites and simply turned their plots into a mini-dump. The council have advised that a "Rubbish Letter" had been issued before to a tenant at Stanley Road.

I hope this clarification may help you to understand the reasoning behind the non-cultivation letters and more importantly what needs to be done before plots are re-inspected.

One other point of general interest is that Di Wood will be leaving the service in the next few weeks. There was a well-deserved valedictory expression of appreciation for the work that she has done for allotments. There will be an interview for a replacement, but it will be a hard act to follow and whoever it is will not be a dedicated allotment officer.

SITE REP - CARL BROWN

Site Inspection - April 2009

2009-04-17T21:37:00.002+01:00

Site Inspection
I understand that a number of people were upset at receiving non-cultivation letters from the Council, following the recent site inspections. These inspections were announced in the Council’s Winter 2008 Allotment Gardeners’ Newsletter and the Spring/Summer 2009 edition noted that the inspections would be “starting shortly” and warned that: “if you do not want to receive a non-cultivation letter, make sure your plot is being worked.”
The Council made it clear that it was acting out of fairness to the many people on the waiting list. The letters had nothing to do with the Society. I understand that the site inspection at Stanley Road was carried out on 2 April. Like everyone else who reads the newsletters, I knew that the inspection was imminent, but I had no prior knowledge of the date, nor had I any need to know.
I recognise that the letters must have come as a surprise, but once the initial shock has died down, please try and put it in perspective.
A site inspection is no more than a snap- shot or a judgement on the condition of a plot on a particular date. With the lighter evenings, and hopefully, less inclement weather in the next few weeks, we are all venturing out on our allotments, so that you will soon be able to catch up and put the judgement behind you. The key point is to make sure that you take remedial action within the stipulated 28 days. If there are extenuating circumstances why you have not been able to work your plot, then let the Council know.
As I said at the recent AGM, we are privileged to have an allotment. We shouldn’t take it for granted.

Site Rep
17 April 2009

The Official Opening of the Trading Hut

2009-03-17T12:15:00.018Z

In glorious spring sunshine, many people visited Stanley Road Allotment on Sunday, 15th March, to see the Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton officially open the allotment Society’s new trading hut.

Also, present were the Leader of the Council, Councillor Sean Brennan and Ward Councillors, Moira Butt and Tim Crowley.

The new building was completed with the help of a £10,000 National Lottery grant from Awards For All and was fitted out by the Society members.

The Mayor said that it was a great achievement for the Society to have secured the National Lottery Award last December, the only group in Sutton to have done so. He also paid tribute to the Society for completing the building in such a short time and he hoped that it will serve the allotment community for a long time to come.

Carl Brown - Site Rep

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New Trading Hut - Open for Business!

2009-02-18T21:49:00.008Z

Saturday 14th February 2009

was the first Trading Day for the new Trading Hut at SRAGS

Headed by Nigel and assisted by Ron & Ali the Trading Hut was cleaned, stocked, manned and open for business from 11am until 1pm which will be the new

Saturday trading hours from now on.

The day was a success with nearly £250 worth of sales, but more importantly the already growing subscriptions membership that has been carefully undertaken with military precision this year by our Subscriptions man John, grew to nearly 150 members over the weekend!

Everyone who crossed the threshold that morning, and those who came on Sunday morning, all commented in a positive fashion........

"Fantastic", "Fabulous", "Bright and Airy", "like a proper nursery shop!" "Bang up to date"

Those who haven't been yet, will have to stop by sometime soon.

Saturdays - 11am to 1pm

Sundays 9.45am to 11.45am

Shelves will continue to be stocked and new lines will be brought in soon, so watch this space for more updates.

***** SPECIAL OFFER ******

THERE ARE 5 COPIES OF THIS FABULOUS BOOK - AVAILABLE AT THE SPECIAL PRICE OF ONLY £8.00 (rrp£16.99)

SO SNAP UP A BARGAIN TODAY

FIRST COME ~ FIRST SERVED

EITHER PURCHASE AT THE SHOP OR EMAIL

alihj76@hotmail.com

TO RESERVE YOUR COPY

The Allotment in the Snow

2009-02-02T18:10:00.009Z

Photos By Fran Cambettie-Davies

From Plot 93A

Doesn't it all look lovely?

Well done Fran for braving the elements today!

&
Nigel and Carl
too!
they were spotted in the Trading Hut continuing their hard work
to get things ready for opening day

Work on the Trading Hut Continues......

2009-01-31T17:44:00.003Z

Just in case you haven't been to the allotment lately, this is what has been going on since the Trading Hut was erected.

Alot of hours have been put in and alot of progress has been made!

As you can see, Carl & Nigel - along with Ron, Mike and others, have been busy transforming the interior of the Trading Hut by fixing plywood to the concrete walls

They have to be fixed to the concrete using extra sticky bonding which was very green and very sticky! Nigel's fingers looked more like SHREKS fingers - all covered in green!!

These were then painted white by very generous allotment holder volunteers - it was a fun few hours - cold but fun

Ron, who has put in hours and hours and even more hours was there in the freezing cold today painting what will be the counter and a cabinet.

As you can see, Ron is standing in what will be the store room. To the left of the photo you can see the sectioning that Mike has made an excellent job of - the door between the shop and the store room was being put in today also.

Help has arrived!

Others helped by making teas & coffees, supplying doughnuts (jammy ones!)

There was a really nice community spirit at the Trading Hut today!

Keep tuned in to find out more as the weeks progress - only 2 weeks to go!

Tribute to Peter Maynard

2009-01-23T13:42:00.004Z

With deep sadness, we report the death of Peter Maynard, a long standing allotment holder here at Stanley Road Allotment, a keen member of the management committee and one of the mainstays of the Trading Hut.

His funeral on 15 January coincided with the erection of the new Trading Hut and was attended by members of the allotment committee. The Society provided a beautiful wreath to mark the occasion.

At the subsequent function at the Greyhound public house in Carshalton, John Bresman, the subscriptions secretary, who went to school at Stanley Park with Peter, shared a few anecdotes of their school days, much to the delight of the many guests.

We are very pleased that Gillian, ably supported by Derek, will continue to work Peter’s Plot, near the Trading Hut.

Stanley Road Allotment and Garden Society Update by the Site Rep 18 January 2009

2009-01-18T08:25:00.024Z

Our allotment was one of 81 groups across London which was successful in the recent round of National Lottery Awards announced in the Awards For All Press release on 8 December 2008 under the heading: ‘Community Groups Strike It Rich After Lottery Awards.’ We were the standard bearer for Sutton. As an indication of the measure of our achievement, the list of successful boroughs included few other outer London Boroughs.

‘A lot of Lottery allotted’, the Sutton Guardian on 18 December 2008 reported:
“One of the most sought after allotments in the borough is set to cash in on its success after receiving a £10,000 grant.

“The Stanley Road Allotment and Garden Society have been awarded the money by the National Lottery Awards For All. "

“The money will be spent on a new trading hut, and the society hopes that it will be a strong focus for help and advice as well as a ready source for garden supplies….”

Yesterday (Saturday, 17 January), the Committee met in the new Trading Hut after it was erected the day before, to consider the layout of the new building. The Committee was very pleased at the amount of hard work that has been put in to delivering the project successfully on time.

The next milestone is completion of the fitting out, in time for opening on Saturday 14th February and for the formal opening by the Mayor, Councillor Brendan Hudson on Sunday 15th March at 11 am - two notes for your diaries!

The Committee would like to thank everyone who has volunteered for their offer of help.

There are some photographs of the construction work which we hope will be of interest.

The first slide show of photographs are of the work involved to get the base in position.

The second slide show is of the Trading Hut being erected.

Carl Brown - Site Rep.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BASE FOR THE NEW TRADING HUT
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ERECTING THE NEW TRADING HUT
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Want to get your plot into shape for 2009?

2009-01-07T11:03:00.006Z

WANT TO GET YOUR PLOT INTO SHAPE IN 2009?

Dread the thought of all that digging??

Then why not have it rotavated??

Only £45 – Full Plot &
£25 – Half Plot

If interested please speak to
Nigel – Mr Rotavator

Seasons Greetings & Appeal for Volunteers

2008-12-26T11:24:00.012Z

A message From Mavis and the Committee

We hope that you all had a
Very Merry Christmas

(hope you enjoyed all your home grown vegetables!)

and

Good Wishes for a good gardening year for 2009

******************

Actually - "Stanley Road Allotment & Garden Society NEEDS YOU"

How would YOU

like to help with the preparation of the new Trading Hut,

which is due to open on 14 February 2009?

Do you have any DIY skills?

(No need for modesty)

If the answer to any of these questions is yes

or,

if you can spare about 2 hours every 6 weeks or so to help out in the new Shop, either on a Saturday or Sunday morning, please contact Nigel.

With your help we can build on the success we have achieved in securing the lottery award and transform this allotment into one in which we can all take pride.

Lottery Funding News at last !!!!

2008-12-08T06:00:00.009Z

http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

For the second time this year, the Stanley Road Allotment Society has cause for celebration. This time, it is because the Society has just been awarded a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery, “Awards For All”, to provide a new Trading Hut. The chairman, Mavis Peart said: “We are all absolutely delighted and I am very grateful for all the hard work that the Committee put into making the bid.”
Commenting on the award, Carl Brown, the Site Representative, said that Stanley Road is one of the most improved, and certainly, one of the most sought after allotments in the Borough with demand for new plots exceeding supply, resulting in a substantial waiting list. He believes that the grant for the new Trading Hut is a recognition of our success in transforming the allotment to become a valuable community resource.
We are all looking forward to the new Trading Hut when it opens in the spring. It is a great opportunity. The Society hopes that it will be a strong focus for help and advice as well as a ready source for garden supplies. It will be the centre of an allotment community that is inclusive, reflecting a diverse mix of nationalities, cultures, ages and gender. The allotment is proud of its links with Stanley Park Junior School and Orchard Hill College both of whom have plots on site. “Our hopes are high, thanks to a successful lottery bid”, concluded the chairman.

Mavis Peart - Chairman
Carl Brown – Site Rep

Christmas Cheer!

2008-11-09T15:02:00.009Z

~ Do come and join us ~

We thought that it would be lovely to all meet up for a Christmas drink (or two) this year

~~~~~~~~~

We will be in The Greyhound Hotel (Opposite Carshalton Ponds)

Friday 5th December from 7.30pm

It will be great to see you all - Ho! Ho!Ho!!

Get your SPUDS ordered NOW!!

2008-10-02T17:47:00.015+01:00

Seed Potato Orders can be made at the Shop this weekend.

ONLY 80p PER KILO - Yes ONLY 80p PER KILO!!

First Early
ACCENT
ARRAN PILOT
PENTLAND JAVELIN
ROCKET
VALES EMERALD

Second Early
CHARLOTTE
KESTREL
NICOLA

Maincrop
CARA
DESIREE
PICASSO

ORDER FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE SHOP

~For more information from the British Potato Council - click here ~

Bird Feeders - on sale now

2008-09-29T11:58:00.006+01:00

The Trading Hut has a good selection of

Bird Feeders and food for birds - nuts, seeds & fat balls.

Seed feeder + 500 gram of feed £1.75 6 in stock

Peanut feeder + 500 gram of nuts £2.75 6 in stock

Fatball Feeder + packet of Fatballs. £2.25 4 in stock

Premium Bird Seed 60p for 500g
Peanuts 70p for 500g

Small Fatballs 85p for a packet of 6

The RSPB has produced this very informative web page on feeding birds - please click here

Onion Sets & Garlic ON SALE NOW

2008-09-25T11:04:00.009+01:00

THE TRADING HUT - OPEN SUNDAY MORNINGS

9.45am TO 11.45am

1st Saturday of every month - 10am to 11am

Onion Sets are now in stock

Overwintering Varieties

All priced at 40 sets for £1.50

Radar

Electric (Red)

Japanese (Yellow) limited stock

Garlic will be available from 1st October

All Garlic is sold by the bulb/head apart from the Elephant which is sold by cloves

Solent Wight

Albigensian Wight

Mediterranean Wight

Purple Heritage Moldovan

Elephant Garlic

SEED POTATOES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE SOON SO RE-VISIT THE BLOG SOON FOR THE TRADING HUT'S COMPETITIVE PRICES!

The Trading Hut Project - 2008

2008-09-14T07:40:00.001+01:00

(1) 7'2" to eaves - higher spec as standard

(2) Fibre cement roofing sheets

(3) Heavy duty welded trusses

(4) Real durite used - no inferior imitations

(5) 7'2" height x 1' or 2' wide x 3" thick, our reinforced concrete panels can achieve just about any custom design

(6) Choice of UPVC or Redwood fascias

Overall size - 34ft 6inches (12 metres) long x 18ft 6 inches (6 metres wide)

*******************************************************

SRAGS major project for 2008 is to secure Lottery Funding for the building of a new Trading Hut.

The existing Trading Hut is now too small, what with growing demands and a much increased membership - it has become "outgrown!"

The costing has been agreed and after much hard work finalising the lottery bid, an application was made to Awards For All last Friday for funding. We now await their decision which should take about 8 weeks

COME BACK SOON

to find out!

Environmental Fair - Carshalton 25th August 2008

2008-08-27T20:38:00.006+01:00

A REPORT FROM THE SITE REP - CARL BROWN

We previously reported that we had raised over £200 for the Mayor’s Charity at our Open Day on 10 August. This is the text of a letter from the Mayor’s Secretary acknowledging the cheque:
“The Mayor, Cllr Brendan Hudson has asked me to write and thank you for your very kind donation to the Mayor’s Charity of £215 which was the money raised at your Open Day last week. The Mayor and Mayoress thoroughly enjoyed their visit to your allotments and wish you well in the future.
“This generous donation and [sic] will help towards raising money for the Wolfson Children and Adolescent Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital.”
We were very disappointed by the lack of coverage of the Open Day in the local newspapers. Therefore, let’s abandon our usual modesty and through the medium of the blog, take the opportunity on behalf of the Society to thank all allotment holders, including the committee, and the many people who helped behind the scene, for their valuable contributions to making the day a successful and enjoyable occasion. Our thanks also go to the local community for their continuing support of the allotment.

ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR
John Bresman (membership Secretary) and I were at the Environmental Fair at Carshalton Park on Bank Holiday Monday promoting the Society. This year’s theme was ‘Sutton - Creating a Sustainable Borough’. The London Borough of Sutton had a stand, organised by Mo James of Cheam Court and Surrey Organic Gardening Group, entitled ‘Allotments’. The stand included a display by Sutton Parks about allotment provision across the borough and included representatives of the following allotments: Beddington and Wallington Garden Society, Benhill and of course, Stanley Road. There was information about Gander Green Allotments. The Soil Association and Surrey Organic had nearby stands.
The key message was: here is a success story by enthusiastic growers. It was extremely effective. Some visitors from Wandsworth and Merton with long waiting lists looked wistfully at allotment provision in Sutton. John and I were awarded for our efforts by capturing three new members to the Society and issued many leaflets and membership forms. The next few weekends will determine how many expressions of interests are converted to membership. The exercise was well worthwhile and it was interesting to talk to fellow allotmenteers to realise that we all face similar challenges.
In course of the day, we met the Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton who visited the various stands. They both came to look at the pictures of our Open Day and they both said how much they enjoyed the day and the vegetable box they were given.
We also met Fred Power, a past chairman of the Society, now in his 90s. He was on good form and was pleased to hear of the strides that we were making at Stanley Road. But from what he said, we have some way to match the 700 - odd memberships that the Society had in its heyday. Well, this is a useful benchmark!

SRAGS Open Day 10th August 2008

2008-08-17T08:19:00.005+01:00

Allotment Open Day supports Mayor’s Charity and - A ‘Gunners’ Supporter gets his Reward

The Stanley Road Allotment & Garden Society celebrated the start of National Allotment Week in style by inviting the Mayor and Mayoress of Sutton to attend the Society’s first ever Open Day on 10th August. A crowd of well over 100 people attended.

As the Chairman, Mavis Peart said, “We are celebrating for two reasons; first, because nationally there has been a huge increase in interest in home grown produce and allotment cultivation and secondly, over the last year there has been a regeneration of our own site with many enthusiastic newcomers of all ages and nationalities, so that now all 204 allotment plots are taken.”

The Mayor, Cllr Brendan Hudson then paid tribute to one particular ‘allotmenteer’, Derek Cozens. As the Mayor said, “He has been responsible for clearing all the overgrown plots, many with brambles 6 feet high, so that when new people came along they were not put off from taking a plot on. The Mayor, on behalf of the Society, then presented Derek with a framed Arsenal shirt, autographed by all of the team, in recognition of all his hard work, help and encouragement. After Derek thanked the Society for his wonderful present, he was cheered by everyone present.

The Mayor and Mayoress enjoyed walking round the allotments and were impressed by the enthusiasm of everyone they met. As they left they were pleased to accept a box of freshly picked vegetables.
The Society also raised over £200 for the Mayor’s Charity from visitors as they too went home with bags of vegetables. It was a truly happy and successful event.