Stanley Road Allotment & Garden Society (SRAGS)

Thursday, 27 May 2010

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.

Thursday, 20 May 2010

The Council Inspectors......

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

Saturday, 17 April 2010

Spring has Sprung at SRAGS

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!!

Thursday, 18 March 2010

Site Inspection May 2010

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

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Behind the Scenes

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!

Sunday, 21 February 2010

APPEAL for HALF A PLOT

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.