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FROM THE PRESIDENT
This summer has been the best that I can remember for site improvements.
Dr. Cuthbert's survey for the Allotment Strategy clearly showed that
site security and toilets were major concerns. The Council has now
spent a lot of money on fencing and there is some more to come.
Among the sites to benefit are Carrick Knowe, Finlay Avenue,
Inverleith, Leith Links, Midmar, Warriston and West Mains.
Following the success of the Ferry Road pilot composting toilet (see Jack's item)
we now have approval for similar toilets at Clairmont Park,
Craigentinny, Inverleith, Leith Links, Redhall, Restalrig, Saughton
and Warriston. Hutchison Loan is our only site without a water supply
and a new one is now in the pipeline.
The leaf mould bins at Saughton are now a reality. Construction was
rather slow so a lot of leaves were turned away. However, the bins
are now about half full and the leaves have heated up and are rotting
down nicely. We have approval for similar bins at Warriston.
The toilets and leaf mould bins are both projects
which will improve the city's record for recycling. A visit to any
site will show that plot holders are experts when it comes to recycling!
Many sites have submitted their "wish lists" and we are working our
way through them as fast as possible. If your site has yet to submit
a "wish list" it is still not too late, but be quick.
There are two disappointments. Although the plans for the new site
at Bridgend Farm have now been approved, it now seems unlikely to
us that the site will be ready for next spring - but we are still
hoping. Progress on the Strategy has been extremely slow. It now
seems likely that the Progress Report, due soon, will say "No real progress".
At their AGM, the Musselburgh Association agreed to join the Federation.
We welcome this expansion into East Lothian and look forward to
their membership.
George Sutherland
TRADING
Orders for seeds, potatoes and onion sets have now closed. If you missed
the deadline then these items will be on sale at the Trading Post at
Inverleith, East Fettes Avenue, when it opens for business on Sunday 7 March 2004
from 2pm to 3.30 pm and every Sunday until early summer.
George Sutherland
ANNUAL SHOW
This year's show at the Southside Community Centre was a success in
many ways. The number of vegetable and fruit entries was up on previous years,
but flowers were down. The Judges said that this was common at many of
the shows they had visited. Due to the central location the large number
of visitors was especially pleasing and made the general public more aware
of the allotments in their midst. The organisation was slick and the Centre
was very pleased with the whole event. A feedback meeting has been held and,
based on our findings, we shall be increasing the categories in vegetables
and fruit to reflect the more adventurous growing of plot holders and also to
ease the judging in multi-produce classes. We shall also review the Handicrafts
in line with modern trends.
We have booked the Centre again for 27 & 28 August 2004 so start
planning to produce your prize winning entries.
Peter Wright
FEDAGA SPECIAL & ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
These were held on 22 October 2003 and attracted 35 delegates from
14 Associations. The SGM agreed a revised Constitution plus new Standing Orders.
At the AGM, the new Management Committee was asked to fill the vacant
Treasurer's post. Thanks were expressed to Tony Stanton, Ernie Watt and John Paul
who were not standing. In addition to the usual business, there was discussion
on several matters. One that caught most attention was the lack of action on
neglected plots. This was referred to the Management Committee. Special appreciation was expressed to Tony Stanton for all his Federation work over many years. Tony continues to administer our potato, onion and seed scheme, good news.
The new committee:
Members:
FERRY ROAD TOILET
It will soon be the first anniversary of our composting toilet.
This has functioned well and there is general approval by all plot
holders for what has been a priority request for a long time.
We have had a number of inspection visit from other sites,
some prearranged and others casual. From these, and our own experience,
a number of alterations and improvements have been suggested for use in future. These are: position of toilet within the hut and a handrail, both to aid the disabled,
damp proofing with additional air vents, wire protection for the window and a
similar padlock to the gate so that every plot holder has a key. At present
the key hangs on a chain outside the building - a temptation to vandals.
And, finally to sum up, as a composting toilet the "end product" looks very good!
Jack Sutherland
KEEP EDINBURGH GROWING
This winter the City of Edinburgh launches a brand new environmental competition
- Keep Edinburgh Growing. It is designed to improve our City's environment by rewarding residents, communities and businesses for making their areas greener and cleaner.
Anybody who lives in Edinburgh can join in. There will be a selection of categories for individuals, communities and businesses to enter, including best kept allotment.
Allotment entries will be judged on condition of plot, use of sustainable practices
and for encouraging wildlife. So it's not all about who grows the biggest onions!
Judging will happen during June and July and winners will receive prizes sponsored by
Dobbies Garden World at an awards ceremony held in the autumn.
It is intended that the competition will help beautify Edinburgh, increase
civic pride, promote biodiversity and sustainable practices, increase tourism
and business and, finally, help Edinburgh win the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom
Award for the best city.
Information should appear on site notice boards soon, or you can receive
further information about the competition from Karen Hay, Edinburgh in
Bloom Co-ordinator, on 0131-469-5196 e-mail karen.hay@edinburgh.gov.uk or visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/keepedinburghgrowing.
Sam Murray & Karen Hay
BORDERS ORGANIC POTATO DAY
This annual event takes place in the Borders College, Old Melrose Road,
Galashiels on Sunday 7 March 2004 from 11am to 3pm. Over 100 varieties of
potatoes on sale at about 12p per tuber plus commercial varieties by the bag.
At about £8 for 5, there are also a few rare varieties sold as micro
plants for postal delivery in June. There are also talks, potato advice and lunch.
George Sutherland
SECURITY ON OUR ALLOTMENT SITES
The police were contacted following break-ins at our Carrick Knowe site.
Following this, local Crime Prevention Officers were invited along to give
us advice on what we could do ourselves.
Two Officers arrived and, after a pleasant introductory chat with the
Committee, they had a walk round looking at the perimeter fencing,
internal pathways and the area as a whole. After their walkabout we met
up with them and they said that a weld-mesh fence would have been far
better than the new chain link fencing. Weld-mesh offers far greater
security but obviously is much more expensive than the tried and
tested chain link.
We spoke about security lighting and they advised that if it was
movement activated it would offer more security. But once again the
installation of this would be costly.
Good housekeeping on our plots with no tools or implements left lying
around that could be used to break into huts is paramount to the
safety of our site. Security on hut doors could be improved by replacing
the screw fixings with round headed bolts on the door hinges.
The hasp and staple could be fixed with a cover flap type to hide the fixings.
There is an alarm for huts (about 100mm X 70mm) which can be fixed inside
the hut door. When activated it gives off a high pitched sound for about 2 minutes,
and it is number coded for security. The Officer showed us how it works and it
appears to be very good value at just £10.
The alarm sounds a good idea at sites such as Carrick Knowe which are
isolated and vulnerable to break -ins. An alarm sounding could be
just enough to frighten off intruders. Alarms can be purchased at the
West End Police Station. All money raised goes back into the Crime Prevention
Section to generate more security items for the public. There are also
garden security leaflets available at all Police Stations.
Their last piece of advice was to board up all hut windows or
have a good strong mesh fitted.
Willie Aitken & Ken Campbell
CABBAGES AND CLUB ROOT
A common problem with brassicas (cabbages, sprouts etc.)
is club root , sometimes called finger and toe. This disease
causes large swellings on the roots and can seriously affect plant growth.
My plot was infected when I took it over but it is now club root free.
This was achieved partly by using a four year rotation and partly by applying ground chalk/limestone at a rate of 6 ounces to the square yard. Apply every
four years in two applications on the ground where the brassicas are to
grow. The first as soon as the previous crop has been cleared (in my case, potatoes)
and the second about a fortnight before sowing or planting out. Hoe the lime
into the top few inches of soil but don't expect full success after only the
first year. If you have access to a pH testing kit, aim for a pH of about 7.
George Sutherland
Edinburgh Allotment Strategy
The Strategy was approved by the City of Edinburgh Council Executive
over a year ago. Until recently there had been very little progress,
which was disappointing for those of us who had contributed to it.
Following some pressure from FEDAGA, meetings with the Parks department
were held in September & November 2003 and the outlook is now more hopeful.
However, it is important to remind ourselves, that the Allotment Strategy is
one of many issues competing for the Council's resources. It is up to us to
remain active and vigilant, so that it is not allowed to slip down the Council's
list of priorities.
Sandy Irvine
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