Autumn 2007 Newsletter

WELCOME

The Committee would like to welcome all new members of the association this year.  We wish you every success with your allotment.  Anyone with any questions or queries, please feel free to ask a member of the Committee.  We can’t promise you an answer straight away but will get back to you as soon as possible.

ALLOTMENT COMPETITIONS
Congratulations to John Tyson who not only came first in the Lily Jones Cup but also came first in the all Wirral.  This is the second time John has achieved this and he has managed to do it in this year of the monsoon and last year in the drought.
Well done to Fil Moore who won the sunflower competition and to Louis Matthews who won the junior section. Perhaps the Matthews family has a secret as big sister Axele won last year!  The proceeds from this year’s competition have been passed to last year’s winner, Gill May for donation to the charity MIND.  Fil is going to nominate the charity for next year.  Thanks to everyone who entered or made donations.
THE SHOP
The Association shop is open between 11am and 12am on a Sunday morning.  We welcome suggestions as to gardening items which members would like us to stock.  At present we stock many items including compost, various fertilizers, bamboo canes and sundries.  We also have fine mesh netting which will keep off birds and butterflies.
WAITING LIST
Currently there are 475 people on the Wirral Council waiting list (not including our own 30+).  Wirral provides 12 allotments per 1000 population against a Government recommendation of 20.  Anyone who is on the electoral register can write to the Council to ask them to provide more allotments.
MANURE
The following telephone numbers can be contacted to obtain horse manure for your allotment: 677 5144 and 677 2720.
Cow manure can be obtained from the local dairy farm on 632 2584.
If you know of any other sources pass them on to a member of the committee and we will put them in the newsletter.
ARE YOU ON THE NET?
If you have internet access and would like to receive this newsletter via email, please give your address to a member of the committee who will pass it on to the secretary.
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
The Christmas Social evening will be on 7th December.  Tickets will be available from the beginning of November and as always, priority will be given to plot holders. The tickets will cost £4 for plot holders and £5 for non plot holders.  If you would like to donate a raffle prize please pass it on to a member of the committee.
POT HOLES
Why not save all those mysterious stones which appear on your plot and use them to fill in pot holes in the lane.
CULTIVATION OF PLOTS
Given the very unusual weather this year our allotments have not been monitored by the Committee as they usually would be.  Next year members will be expected to keep their allotments cultivated and tidy.