News

BLAA

BACK LANE ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION

AGM – Tuesday 12th October

Everyone is invited to the BLAA Annual General Meeting which will be taking place on Tuesday 12th October in the Chalfont St Giles Reading Rooms, starting at 7.30pm. This is a chance to discuss any issues to do with the allotments. We are also looking to recruit new members to the committee.

And the Pumpkin Competition is back by popular demand at the AGM, with two categories, for fun only : -

· Heaviest Pumpkin

· Most stylish Pumpkin

Looking forward to seeing many of you then and at the village show!

Big Lunch

As it was so much fun we will be having another Big Lunch again next year!

Village Show - Saturday 4th September

This year it is planned to increase the number of allotment classes at the village show. In addition to ‘Best Allotment’, ‘Best Novice Allotment’ and ‘Most Interesting Allotment’ there will be two new classes: ‘Best Scarecrow’ and ‘Best Under 16s Patch’. All BLAA members will be automatically entered into Best Allotment, Best Novice Allotment, Most Interesting Allotment and, if there is a scarecrow on the plot, Best Scarecrow. If you wish to enter ‘Best Under 16s Patch’ you will need to complete the village show entry form and clearly mark the patch to be judged on the plot.

Additionally, there will be a new trophy – a cup awarded to the BLAA member who wins the most points across all adult classes (including eg cookery as well as vegetable classes). The cup is being sponsored by Yaldens.

Full details of how to enter classes in the Village Show brochure. Please note that entry forms for village show classes needs to be handed in by 12 noon Saturday 28th August. Or Midnight on line

You have to be in it to win it!!!

The village show will be on 4th September, judging of allotment classes will take place July/August.

Introduction of Gate Locks

As you will be aware the number of thefts from the allotments and break ins to houses backing onto the site have risen over the last couple of years and sadly we continue to experience security problems. Concerns have also been raised over strangers seemingly entering the site to simply wander around and a number of instances involving the dumping of domestic and trade waste.

Following consultation with allotment holders, the trial of a lock on the middle gate and the decision taken at the last AGM, new locks are being introduced to all three entrances on 1st May. In an effort to balance a range of views on daytime security with the need for swift access by the emergency services it has been decided that the gates will initially only be locked at night with the first arrival in the morning unlocking and the last departure in the evening locking up. If you are in any doubt when leaving the site towards the end of the day please lock the gate. During the day the gates are to remain unlocked but kept shut. Each gate will carry new signage advising that the site is private and that entry is only permitted by allotment holders.

Please carry the key with you whenever you are on site to ensure you are not locked in or out! Should you lose your key, replacement keys can be arranged through BLAA but we reserve the right to charge a fee to cover costs incurred.

We will continue to review security measures and if anyone sees anything suspicious on site please do not hesitate to report the matter to a member of the committee. The new locks, keys, security chains and signage have been provided courtesy of grant funding from Bucks County Council, secured by BLAA.

Notice-boards

The grant from Bucks County Council has also enabled BLAA to provide each section of the site with its own notice-board. The notice-boards will be to display news, information about events and for allotment holders to put up notices.

Taps & Water Supply

There have been some problems with water supply over the winter, with taps being left running, leaks unreported and in one instance a blow torch was used which burst a pipe! If you spot a problem with the taps, or any problem on site, please notify us as soon as possible so that the problem can be fixed.

The committee is reviewing water supply needs and will be taking up the repair, maintenance, improvement and extension of the water supply with the Parish Council over the coming months to try and ensure a better winter in 2010 / 2011.

And now its summer...........

Using water butts not only saves trips to the tap, but is environmentally friendly and keeps down our water rates bill! Water butts are available at Yaldens and there is a 10% discount for BLAA members.

Shed Padlocks

A reminder that Chiltern District Council provided BLAA with free padlocks (and keys!) for sheds. There are a few more padlocks available if anyone else would like one.

Free Horse Manure

A more permanent container is planned for the free un-rotted horse manure on the concrete slab in the central allotment section. This is available to all allotment holders on a first come first served basis. The possibility of similar containers for the other allotment sections is being explored. Anyone with contacts regarding the supply of manure please contact us.

General Reminders

If you would like to put up a shed on your plot please apply to the BLAA committee. Permission for sheds will not be unreasonably withheld. Sheds should be no more than 6’ x 8’ and not more than one shed per plot.

Now that the grass (and weeds!) has started to grow please remember upkeep of plots is part of the tenancy agreement, cutting grass and keeping down weeds helps prevent them spreading onto other plots.