COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER
April 2022 Newsletter
ARTISAN CRAFT MARKET
The Artisan Craft Market is getting very close now – This Saturday - April 9th 1030 – 1600. We would still really appreciate any unwanted non perishable items for the Tombola – proceeds will be gifted to UNICEF in support of their current appeal.
If you could spare a little time to volunteer and help out on the day that would be splendid. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday – There will be lots of great stalls. There will be a lot of interest so bear in mind that the carpark will be very busy on that day.
THE BIG TIDY UP
Thank you one and all for turning out on Saturday 5th March for the big tidy up. The site looked so much better and a vast quantity of rubbish was removed – including loads of plastic.
The site skip is open on the first weekend of the month for non-compostable/recyclable items from your plot. Please take anything else away and obviously don’t bring rubbish in!
BUILDING WORKS AND MAINTENANCE
The refurbishment of the toilets is going ahead very well. The ‘demolition’ phase is over and reconstruction is in full swing. The work will take a little longer than anticipated because we had difficulty sourcing materials - some of which were in short supply. That is now resolved. We apologise for a couple of hiccups with the opening time of the Hall and it’s alternative ‘facilities’ and thank you for your patience and understanding. The repairs to the Hall have been slightly delayed due to the weather and also the logistics of getting quotations. Hopefully that will all be sorted out over the next month.
TAPS
The standpipe taps would normally be in place within a week or so. There will, however be a delay because it is necessary to undertake some work replacing old taps on the standpipe ‘top joints’ with new ones and repairing others. We urgently need a volunteer or two with some basic plumbing knowledge to prepare them for the site. If you can help please call Peter, the Ground Steward on 07738 180944. Our water bills are significant and you are all paying for this convenience via your rents. Please use hoses etc only where necessary and never to excess. We encourage all plot-holders to install guttering on sheds and greenhouses to collect rainwater. Ensure all taps are turned off after use.
If you find a leaky tap or pipe fracture please report to the Ground Steward on 07738 180944.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Please take the opportunity to ‘Spring Clean’ your plot. We notice, for example, that there’s a lot of broken glass around.
I am pleased to tell you that the PAT testing of electrical equipment is complete and the 5 year site safety inspection has been carried out.
You will have noticed that the Defibrillator is in Situ. I am delighted to tell you that we have received a very generous donation from a highly respected plot-holder towards the cost of the machine.
We must stress that ANYONE can use it in an emergency. It is fully registered with the 999 system and initial instructions are clearly displayed on the adjoining Notice Board. It is fully automatic and when in use you will receive clear and concise verbal instructions after you press the ‘on’ button. It is really not difficult.
Importantly, it is impossible to incorrectly shock the patient – or yourself! If it’s not applied correctly or if the patient doesn’t need a shock, it will simply not work.
TRADING HUT, WAREHOUSE & VOLUNTEERING
Great news - that the polytunnel and greenhouse are absolutely bursting with new growth. A large selection of veg plants will be available to buy in the Trading Hut at weekends.
Normally we open the Trading Hut and Warehouse on a Wednesday afternoon during the Summer months. Sadly that cannot happen at the moment because we have a lack of volunteers to staff it.
Everyone is well aware that the whole site runs on volunteers and it seems to be a constant struggle to maintain enough staff to carry out a whole range of tasks from manning the Trading Hut through to the Canteen, the Work Party, and even membership of the Committee. We periodically receive emails and verbal ‘advice’ criticising various aspects of the site and it’s management. Often this has been from plot-holders who choose not to volunteer. You can imagine the frustration! If you are able to help out in the Trading Hut, or in any other area please do call into the Office on a Saturday Morning and speak to the volunteer on duty who can brief you on the opportunities available.
PLOT INSPECTIONS
We have just completed preliminary plot inspections. We are committed to maintaining the site in a tidy and attractive way and to ensure that plots are being properly tended to. We also have to establish that your Regulations are being adhered to. In addition we are keen to identify where a plot-holder may be in difficulty. Ill health, for example. We may be able to help.
We are aware of a number of plots that fall well below everyone’s expectations. We have identified those plots and if there is little or no improvement over the next four weeks we will give people a short length of time to rectify the situation. No emails or letters have been sent out following this preliminary inspection. If your plot is not up to scratch or has not been ’worked’, you will know it! Please be aware though, that the days of sending out numerous repeated ‘warning letters’ are gone. We have a long waiting list of people who are keen to join us and in the absence of a reasonable temporary excuse we will be requiring a minority of people to vacate their plot.
STORAGE CONTAINER
Any tools or equipment in the container should now have been removed. The container will shortly be used to house Trading Hut stock. Any remaining tools or equipment will be removed and placed temporarily elsewhere, pending collection. They will not be as secure as they were in the container so it is important that they are collected as soon as possible.
Please see the Ground Steward to reclaim any items and return your key.
IMPORTANT: The Society can accept no responsibility for the maintenance, security or safe keeping of Tools and Equipment belonging to plot-holders. Any temporary removal and storage of such tools and equipment by the Society is at the sole risk of the owner.
BONFIRES
A reminder that no bonfires are now allowed on the site other than those connected with site maintenance and then only under the personal supervision of the Ground Steward.
Bonfires will be permitted again in October – date to be advised.
TYRES & CARPETS
This is a reminder that the use of old tyres on plots has not been allowed for some time. Historically people have grown crops inside them (e.g. potatoes). As time goes on they get left and abandoned on vacant plots. We can only get rid of them by spending your money to properly recycle them. So, no tyres please!
Carpets have also been historically used as weed suppressant. Gradually the chemicals in old carpets leach into the ground. Very environmentally unsound - if not unhealthy. So no carpets either please.
SITE SECURITY
A reminder that we are all responsible for maintaining the security of the site. Please ensure that gates are locked behind you and don’t let strangers ‘tailgate’ you in. If you see someone you think is suspicious on the site then engage them in conversation. There’s no need to be confrontational. With the better weather coming and the re-opening of boot fairs we can expect that ‘Billy Burglar’ will have a keen eye on your sheds. Take the opportunity to beef up your protections and avoid storing easily removable equipment - particularly power tools, strimmers, mowers etc.
IMPORTANT: As mentioned above, the Society can accept no responsibility for the security or safe keeping of Tools and Equipment belonging to plot-holders.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Saturday 9th April – Artisan Craft MarketSunday 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
AWSLG COMMITTEE April 2022
