Colwall Allotment Association
Gas Orchard - watch our progress: check Members' Pages to see how you can help!
Those new to allotment keeping may find the tips given here of use. Use our "contact us" form if you would like to join the Association.
update January 2012:
A provisional date of Monday 5th March 2012 (7.30pm at Colwall British Legion) has been set for this year’s AGM.
There will be at least 5 vacancies on the CAA committee this year including the offices of secretary and chairperson. The committee members who are stepping down this year have enjoyed the job of setting up the CAA administration over the last couple of years and as the association now has 71 enthusiastic members, we are hoping that there will be a rush of volunteers to step into the breach!
A health and safety policy has been circulated to Members - this is a requirement of CAA/COG insurers and organisations to which we may apply for funding in the future, etc. Once you have read it please confirm by: clicking yes to the ‘read receipt’ request and/or send a quick reply email - your response is in lieu of a signature. The H&S document will be incorporated into the Tenancy Agreement for new members.
Update December 2011:
The entrance track to the CVG is becoming increasingly rutted and muddy – in wet weather it is now almost impassable. Please avoid bringing a car onto the site unless you have no alternative and exercise extreme caution when exiting the site.
Neglected plots – please ensure that your plot is tidied up for the winter and free of perennial weeds which will otherwise spread to neighbouring plots (please see Clause 9.18 of the tenancy agreement)
Other news:
Thanks to the generosity of local farmer John Bishop, there is now a large pile of farmyard manure in the village garden (in the field beyond the big gate next to plot 11) for all plot holders to use. Please limit yourselves to no more than 4 barrow loads per plot for the time being - there is more on the way. I’ve been told that it’s not a good idea to manure all of the plot at once as many crops do not like to grow in recently manured soil - one third each year to a depth of one or two inches should be sufficient.
There are now enough donated water butts to allow the installation of a water harvesting system – working group dates will be announced in due course. Many thanks to all those who donated butts and special thanks to the the Colwall WI for donating two brand new butts and diverter kits.
The mains water supply can now be fully funded! As trenches will need to be dug for the water pipe and the planned electricity supply cable, the water installation will be deferred until the trenching for both can be done in one operation with a mechanical digger. Very many thanks to all who donated and special thanks to the Wyche and Colwall Horticultural Society for their donation of £100 to the fund.
Communal compost heap. The COG/CAA Estates Committee will be deciding soon on a site for a communal compost heap. Once the fruit trees presently planted by the shed have been moved to their new permanent site in the CVG it is likely that the space they occupy will be allocated for the heap
Laurence Keil
CAA Secretary
page updated December 2011