COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER
March 2022 Newsletter
STORM EUNICE
Following the ravages of the storm, the site suffered some fallen trees which have been swiftly cleared by Peter Bashford and his work party. As part of our annual tree assessment there were also a couple of large oak trees that required cutting back and dead branch removal. The tree surgeons did the necessary work last week. There has been some obvious damage to a few sheds and greenhouses, but hopefully your plots have not been too badly ravaged.
THE BIG TIDY UP – THIS SATURDAY!
The storm has caused a huge amount of debris to be blown all over the site. Much of it is plastic. Luckily we had already planned our big Tidy up day this Saturday 5th March. Please do try and come along and help to make our site ‘clean as a whistle’. If you have a wheelbarrow please bring it along. Meet up at 09:30 outside the Canteen. As an extra bonus we will be providing hot soup and rolls from around 12:30.
ROAD REPRESENTATIVES
I am delighted to say that we are well on the way to recruiting Road Representatives in each road who can liaise with the Ground Steward; welcome new plot holders; advise on plot structures; and identify people who might be struggling to manage their plots. The role is to be helpful and supporting. No inspecting or regulation ‘policing’ will be involved.
BUILDING WORKS AND MAINTENANCE
The Building & Maintenance Sub Committee have prioritised repairs to the hall and the refurbishment of the toilets. The Hall repairs will be carried out shortly, as soon as the weather allows. We have established a specification and obtained costings for the work on toilet improvements which has now been approved. We intend to start this work in the near future. The work will take between 3-4 weeks during which time the toilet block will be out of use. Arrangements will be made for the Hall to be open during the day where there are alternative facilities. More information will be circulated nearer the time.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Our new Health and Safety Steward, Bob Taylor, has hit the ground running (with laces securely and safely tied). We have acquired a PAT testing machine and along with David Lay all our electrical appliances from kettles to fly zappers are being checked for their required annual safety certificates. They are both qualified to undertake this work. This will save us a lot of money in the long run as we will not need to employ an outside contractor. Bob is looking at all aspects of Health and Safety and is also engaged in formulating our Society H & S Policy.
I am pleased to confirm that following the Committee’s decision to acquire a Defibrillator last year we have eventually obtained one (limited supply of electronic chips last year badly affected production). We intend to install that soon. It’s an approved design which anyone can use. We will report back on that later.
YOUR TRADING HUT & WAREHOUSE
A fantastic team of volunteers are currently engaged on an almost daily basis in our polytunnel, planting seeds for sale in the Trading Hut.
One more volunteer is urgently wanted to help out in the Warehouse on a Sunday between 10.30 – 1215. Once every three weeks. Please speak to anyone in the Trading Hut or Warehouse or send an email in.
One aspect of our sales which is currently the subject of much debate is the use of peat in compost and the potential environmental effect. The amount of ‘peat free’ compost that we sell is smaller in comparison to that containing peat. The slightly higher price is clearly a factor but do consider going for the ‘peat free’ option. DEFRA are currently asking for your views about the supply and sale of compost containing peat. They would like to move from the voluntary co-operation of suppliers to a compulsory scheme. They intend to phase out the use of peat entirely within a few years. Suppliers have been asked to voluntarily switch production but DEFRA are concerned that this approach is not working to change the market in a timely fashion. They are asking for your views. You can influence their future actions designed to reduce and then eliminate the supply of compost containing peat – or not – depending upon your views.
Please visit bit.ly/defra-peat . There is a full explanation of the issues and a link to their survey. Hurry though! The consultation closes on 18th March.
BOUNDARY FENCES GATES AND STRUCTURES
Further to our notice last month this is a reminder that the erection of plot boundary fences is not permitted, however existing fences may remain. This is on condition that paths are not obstructed and any gates to paths must be easily opened for inspection or access. At the moment we are aware that there are gates and barriers which do not allow easy access. Please ensure that any modifications are completed before the Spring Plot Inspections.
STORAGE CONTAINER
A reminder that any tools or equipment in the container must be removed by 31st March. The container is being used to house trading hut stocks after that date so no machinery or tools can remain. Please ensure all your items are removed and return the key to the Ground Steward or office by that date.
BONFIRES
A reminder that no bonfires are allowed on the site from 31st March. They will be permitted again in October – date to be advised.
VEHICULAR ACCESS TO PLOTS
Another reminder that vehicles are forbidden from using the grassed roads around the site all through Winter. In the Summer, when the ground is hard, they may be allowed in certain circumstances - but only with the express permission of the Ground Steward.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Saturday 5th March – Site Tidy up and Lunch. 09.30 by the Canteen.
Saturday 19th March – New Plot Holders Get Together. 1.30pm in the Canteen (Please Note change of venue as the Hall is in use that day). We would like to invite
all new plot-holders since September 2021 to join us in the Canteen for an informal get together. Hopefully we can give you a few ideas. See you there!
Saturday 9th April – Artisan Craft Market – See Below!
Sunday 17th April – Bank Holiday Easter Bash/Egg Hunt. Lunch and Tea.
Sunday 5th June (provisional) – Queens Platinum Jubilee Party.
Saturday 16th July & Sunday 17th July – Moth Hunt Night and Moth Trap Morning
ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET
We are delighted to be running another Artisan Craft Market on Saturday 9th April in the Hall. Debbie White has already recruited nearly 20 stallholders and it promises to be a great event. Debbie is also arranging a Tombola for both Adults and Children. What we need from you is contributions! Any non-perishable goods will be gratefully appreciated. Please leave your donation on a Saturday or Sunday morning in the Canteen. As an extra incentive, all profits will go to charities supporting the Ukraine crisis. If every plot-holder donated just one tombola prize we would have………a lot of prizes!
COMMUNICATION
The first Committee Coffee morning was held on Saturday 19th February. We will hold more on ad hoc Saturdays during the year.
Constructive and respectful comments, ideas, and suggestions on any aspect of our Society are always welcome. They can either be in person to any member of the Committee or by email to awslg.ltd@gmail.com. All will be acknowledged and considered.
Many of you have the personal phone numbers of committee members. We respectfully ask that unless the matter is urgent you sent an email rather than phoning.
Please send all Society related Emails to the awslg address and not to the personal address of committee members.
Whilst we will respect confidentiality (if appropriate), we will not normally consider any communication sent anonymously or on behalf of people who choose to remain anonymous.
Note that the other email address of awslg1921@gmail.com is being phased out – please amend your contacts list.
We hope you are able to clear up any storm damage on your plot and we all look forward to a busy Springtime around the Site.
AWSLG COMMITTEE March 2022
