THOUGHTS FROM OUR RETIRING PRESIDENT

First and foremost I would say that recognition has been one of our main achievements.

We’ve come a long way from earlier times when allotments were generally ignored by the Council. We’ve established ourselves as the group representing plot-holders and, during our regular meetings with the Recreation Department, are consulted on all allotment matters. The Council has recognised that for years past, little or no money had been spent on improvements. And so, in recent times, we have received Capital Grants for improved roads, water supplies, containers, equipment etc.

We have been recognised by being invited to join the Working Group on an Allotment Strategy for Edinburgh. Recognition has also come from the Scottish Parliament by inviting us to give evidence to their Local Government Committee on the future of allotments in Scotland.

During the Hawkhill crisis FEDAGA was contacted by the media - TV, radio and press. Again recognition. Recognition, too, was given by the Recreation Department allowing us to take the first steps in the devolution of responsibilities to site committees.

Our annual Flower and Vegetable Show has come along by leaps and bounds and has developed into an enjoyable social event as, also, has the annual trip to the Dundee Show.

But our main, and most important, recognition comes from our members! According to the latest Allotment Survey 91% of Edinburgh plot-holders are aware of FEDAGA. Excellent news, but we are looking for 100%. After all, there are two Newsletters each year to keep everyone aware of what FEDAGA is doing.

We must all continue to keep, and show, our concern for the future of allotments and press for new sites to be provided. FEDAGA is the best way forward for that!
(Jack Sutherland)

THOUGHTS FROM OUR NEW PRESIDENT

Jack retires satisfied with the progress that FEDAGA has made during his period of office, and we thank him for his efforts. Now that we have achieved wide recognition as the voice of Edinburgh’s allotment community I see the next step is to expand our influence in all things about allotments.We hope that the Strategy being prepared will achieve three main objectives: the protection of existing sites (no more Hawkhills), the establishment of new sites and an improvement in allotments themselves. The first two are major issues but on the third we are steadily making progress. Recent achievements include work on entrance gates at Carrick Knowe and Chesser Crescent, improvements in the Warriston path, a cultivator at West Mains, and new notice boards at Mid Mar. There is now a rolling programme to give all sites new steel notice boards, replace fencing at Craigentinny and provide a composting toilet at Ferry Road. We are also waiting for a phased replacement of the fence at Mid Mar.

One project that we would like to see started is the planting of screening hedging at various sites. The Council seem agreeable to supplying the plants and we would like plot-holders to volunteer to plant them. Inverleith has been suggested as the starting point. Good screening of sites makes us better neighbours and can keep out intruders.

We continue to urge plot holders to participate in the running of their sites. Contact your Site Representative with your own wish list otherwise we can only guess at what you would like. I can also be contacted by leaving a message on 0131-443-0472 or by e-mail.

By the way, although we share the same name, Jack and I are not related.
(George Sutherland)

THE SCOTTISH ALLOTMENTS AND GARDENS SOCIETY

SAGS have had a good year with an expanded and active committee voted in at the June AGM.

Campaigns. Following our petition to the Scottish Parliament, the Local Government Committee set up an Allotment Inquiry. Along with FEDAGA and others we gave a presentation. The Petition and minutes of the meetings can be viewed on the Scottish Parliament website. The full report is due shortly.

We have succeeded in setting up the Glasgow Allotment Forum, which Bert Cook (SAGS President) is convening. In Glasgow until now we have not had all sites meeting together as happens with FEDAGA. All the representatives agree the Forum is a step forward.

Along with FEDAGA, we sit on the Working Group on Edinburgh’s Allotment Strategy.

Publicity. Our website is updated with press articles, TV snippets, and radio interviews to keep allotments on the political agenda.

Grants. Shell Better Britain Campaign gave us a small grant for Caitlin Desilvey to contact allotment sites on our behalf while she was on her Merlin Trust expedition. See the SAGS website.

Submissions. SAGS has responded to several government consultation documents including “The Scottish Budget”, the Land Reform Bill and the Glasgow City Council Draft city plan.

New Initiatives.We are involved with Scottish Natural Heritage - Gardens for Life. The Scottish Parliament has included SAGS in the database of the Social Justice Interest group. We are also involved in several biodiversity projects and promoting allotments through the Scottish Gardens scheme.

Archives. We have set up the Allotments Archive at the University of Glasgow with material going back to the 1930s. This is valuable since there is very little published material on the allotment movement. We hope to get a grant for a professional archivist so that the material will be available to researchers on allotment history.

Competitions. In 2001 the Stevenson Amenity Shield was won by Paterson Park in Renfrew with individual winner Ernie Grebs from High Carntyne. The Robert Greig trophy was not awarded, we hope to encourage more applicants next year.
(Judy Wilkinson)

SEEDS AND POTATOES

Seed orders have now arrived and can be collected from your site representative. Potato deliveries are due in the near future. Save money and help your site funds by buying through FEDAGA at heavily discounted prices.

BORDERS ORGANIC GARDENERS POTATO DAY

This wonderful annual event will be from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 3rd March this year in Borders College, Galashiels. Over 100 varieties are on sale plus talks, advice, information leaflets and food from all things solanaceous. Single tubers are about 11p plus microplants of rare spuds or bags of favourites (although FEDAGA is cheaper!). More details on 01450-860291 or your notice board in late February.
(Ali Black)

MONEY TO BUY SPUDS

The Scottish Allotments Scheme for the Unemployed (SASU) provides small grants (about £7 this year) to people whose sole income is from state benefits to buy seeds and sundries. Apply to your site representative. Vouchers are distributed on a first come first served basis in late February.
(Ali Black)

AN EDINBURGH ALLOTMENTS STRATEGY

During the Hawkhill campaign FEDAGA lobbied the Council to produce an Allotment Strategy. The Council has now set up a working group including FEDAGA and SAGS. A consultant was employed to research and write the Strategy. It is now in draft form. There was an excellent (70%) response to the survey, many thanks to all those who took part.

A group from FEDAGA and a representative from SAGS have dedicated their festive break to writing detailed comments and are hoping that this will be incorporated. We want the strategy to meet the needs of all allotment holders. We hope to have the final document published early this year.
(Ali Black)