Lots of things of interest to plot holders in this issue. Also, for those on the ever lengthening waiting list, is the news that the new allotment site at Bridgend Farm is due to open on 17 March. There haven’t been many new sites in Scotland for years so our Council is due praise for its commitment to allotments. We now need another 15 sites like Bridgend to really tackle the waiting list.

George Sutherland

EDINBURGH’S ALLOTMENT STRATEGY

Report on implementing the Strategy’s 30 recommendations.

• Craigmillar Park Allotment Site (Bridgend). Work started on 7 November. Completion and access on 17 March. The site will be organic and the waiting list has opened.
• Recommendation 5, Survey of land . Sites recorded: Morningside Station, at Balcarres Street, belongs to Network Rail. Relugas Place has six plots adjacent to the railway line, belongs to residents.
• Recommendation 15, Lease Agreement. This has been reviewed and is expected to be issued with this Newsletter.
• Recommendation 17, Site Inspections. New procedures discussed to ensure that dirty plots are identified and new plot holders installed.
• Recommendation 18, Waiting Lists. Currently stands at 900.
• Recommendation 21, Biodiversity. Booklet has been produced and printed and is expected to be issued with this Newsletter.
• Future Actions. Once Bridgend Farm is opened the Steering Group can concentrate on the remaining recommendations.
• New Council Department. Reorganisation within CEC means that a new department Services for Communities will be formed. This would incorporate Parks and Allotments as well as other sectors.

  Peter Wright.

  VEGETABLE AND FLOWER SHOW 2005

  The Annual Vegetable and Flower Show in September had the largest entry of exhibitors and exhibits for several years.

  Well done. Let’s do even better in 2006.

  A feedback meeting has been held and, based on our findings, we shall not be altering the schedule but there will be minor changes to timings. We are toying with the idea of joining (if they will have us) with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society to run a joint autumn show. What do you think?

  Despite numerous requests we did not get the helpers we needed to dismantle the show and, as the Committee is not getting any younger, we will probably use a Scout Group to help next year.

  Show 2006 We have booked the Southside Centre for 8 & 9 September so get your seed orders in and start planting your cup-winning crop.

  The show will have 3 additional cups to award. It is Edinburgh’s turn to have the Scottish Allotments Gardens Society trophies. They come round every 4 years. We will break with tradition and one trophy will go to the best overall children’s exhibit. We feel we should be encouraging our plot holders of the future.

  Peter Wright.

  FLOWER SHOW TRIPS

  We’ve been going to the Dundee Show for years but there is also a good show at Ayr. With enough interest we will go to both. See Gilbert’s flyer to register your preference. Also of interest is Gardening Scotland at Ingliston on 2, 3 & 4 June. For advance tickets contact: Rural Projects Ltd. The Stables, 2 Ingliston Road, Newbridge, EH28 8NB
  Phone 0131-333-0969, e-mail info@gardeningscotland.com.

  TRADING

  All Kings seeds have been delivered to Site Representatives. Potatoes and Onions are due in mid February. The Trading Post at Inverleith Allotments opens from 2 to 3:30 every Sunday in March and April. On sale is a large variety of seeds, the sack-ends of potatoes at £2:20 per 3 Kg, Onion sets and shallots at £0:80 per Lb. plus various fertilisers and sundries.

  George Sutherland.

  GALASHIELS POTATO DAY

  The place to buy unusual and heritage spuds for about 12p per tuber. About 100 varieties will be available plus potato micro plants of the really scarce ones. Also lectures, stalls and refreshments. Sunday 5 March from 11 till 3 in the Borders College, Old Melrose Road, Galashiels.

  PARAFFIN

  For those of you bringing on plants in your greenhouse, Ronnie Murphy from Leith Links has sourced a good supply of paraffin from CPL, Forward Land Sales Site, Newton Village, Dalkeith, EH22 1SE. For more details phone 0131-669-2261. Priced at £9:45 for a pack (4x4 litres) delivered.

  COMPOSTS AND MANURE

  Spent mushroom compost is available from John Playfair on 0187-587-0509. Free delivery on orders over £20.

  Well rotted horse manure from Riding for the Disabled, Balerno. A donation of £0:50 per bag in West Edinburgh and £0:60 elsewhere. Contact Barbara on 0131-449-7994.

  A range of composts and other products from Colinton Community Composts. A donation of £2:50 per 30 litre bag of compost. Contact Sarah on 0131-441-3479, e-mail sarah@cccompost.freeserve.co.uk

  ORGANIC WORKSHOPS

  A series of 5 workshops is planned for 2006/2007 to be run by Dave Allan, the retiring secretary of Borders Organic Gardeners. The first is at Bridgend Farm in Old Dalkeith Road opposite the Inch nursery on 8 April. The theme will be Biodiversity on the Allotment.

  Also on offer is a trip with transport provided to the demonstration organic garden in Woodside Walled Garden near Jedburgh on 7 May. Places on both are limited. Contact Karen Hay on 0131-469-5196, e-mail karen.hay@edinburgh.gov.uk.

  FLOODING AT LADY ROAD

  The heavy rains in October this year again caused flooding. During the flood the main path and allotments adjacent to the burn were awash to a depth of at least 1 foot with fast flowing water. This swept away polythene sheeting, timber, plastic compost bins, top soil and debris into the culverts under Lady Road causing partial blockages. A report has now been received from Scottish Water. The storm was more intense than the ‘1 in 30 years storm’ design for the capacity of the system.

  Also the breakthrough connection from the existing sewer to the new scheme had not been fully made and the scheme was operating under capacity. Remedial work and final commissioning should be complete by the end of 2005. We are also going to have a separate meeting with Scottish Water’s engineers to discuss the new scheme and any implications for the Lady Road Site.

  Peter Wright.

  WEB SITE

  Visit our own web site at http://www.fedaga.org.uk/ for a wealth of information on the wide range of FEDAGA’s activities.

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  Site created & maintained by M Rodan: This page last updated 30 January 2006