Newsletter May 2020

Dear Allotment tenants

We are still in exceptional times and it has been obvious how many of you have been able to get out for the limited exercise allowed so far and tend your allotment. It does now seem as though unless self isolating or shielding we can enjoy further trips out each day for exercise and so the allotments can form part of this as an activity.

I urge you however to remain careful about stringent hygiene before and after visiting your plot and keeping the government guidelines of a 2 metre distance from any other person and in line with the council’s guidance to only have one person from a household on each plot and currently no children on site.

It is a busy time ahead and lots to do during May and June with succession sowing of peas and beans and planting out all the more tender plants once the danger of a late frost has passed. Early planted new potatoes might be ready to be harvested soon. The warm days have speeded up growth of all plants so weeds are thriving and ideally need to be removed to avoid competition for water and soil nutrients.

Watch out for the cabbage white butterfly which may begin to lay eggs and when hatched the caterpillars can overnight decimate the young leaves. Insect netting can reduce the risk and protect your crops.

The Trading Store

We are hoping to open again on June 13th form 10 til 12 noon. There will need to be strict procedures in place to reduce risk of spreading the virus so please adhere to the 2 metre distancing with a one in one out policy. We may be able to take orders if you let me know in good time in advance for you to collect. Email:pennyfox1@googlemail.com

The membership for 2020 remains due so please expect to pay the annual fee if you have already not done so. As in the last newsletter I will be able to offset part of the annual charge for the time we have been forced to close.

Summer Show and the Hospice fete

I still think it highly unlikely that these events will go ahead but as far as the Summer Show goes we will still have not made a decision as so much will depend on the country’s situation and any restrictions in place.

The next scheduled committee meeting is the end of June.

Please check the website regularly for any further news or announcements.

In the meantime I hope you all stay safe and well and that we will be able to return to a new normal as soon as possible.

P Winston  Chair