SOCIETY EVENTS

There are a number of events taking place on or with Bolton Allotments this summer - we have produced the poster below which will be up in the neo:27 gallery in the Market Place - we'll also try to get some collective publicity

THE ALLOTTED EXHIBITION

‘Allotted’ - Art and Allotments

Allotments, food growing, wildlife and nature are all fertile soils for the creative impulse.

A new exhibition - ‘Allotted’ - shows how the 9 very different artists** who form part of the Slug Society have responded to the ‘allotment experience’. The resulting work, displayed at neo:gallery27 in the Market Place, Bolton, covers a range of media from stained glass through paintings and prints, photography and video to 3-D and installations.

Three writers*** are also members of the Slug Society and they have produced a 32 page booklet ‘allotted - the back of the seed packet’ – containing essays, stories, interviews and poems inspired by allotments. (The printing of this booklet has been funded by the National Allotments Gardens Trust.)

The exhibition will be open from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, each week between June 30^th and August 7^th. The exhibition has been partly funded by a grant from Bolton Arts Forum.

The Slug Society can be contacted at slugsoc2015@yahoo.co.uk

There is a blog-site chronicling the ‘Allotted’ project(s) at http://allotted2016.blogspot.co.uk

** The 9 artists are: Carol Barlow, Janet Brady, Dorothy Ellin, Jennifer Gilmour, Maggie Hargreaves, Margaret Jackson, Kevin Shipley, Steph Shipley and Susan Syddall

*** The 3 writers are: Ros Davis, Robert Eldon and David Jackson

ABAS MEETING 13/06/2016 - MINUTES

Minutes of the abas meeting June 13^th 2016

Present: 15 members from 9 sites

Apologies: Ann Craven (Settle St.)

Minutes of the May Meeting

The minutes of the May meeting having been posted on the abas blog-site, they were accepted as a true and fair record.

There were no matters arising that are not covered in tonight’s agenda

On-going Concerns – (the abas issues matrix)

Moss Lea – There has been no progress on a Council decision as to whether to permit individual greenhouses and sheds. It is understood the matter has been referred to the Executive Member and to the Council’s Legal Department.

Harpers Lane – there has been no visit by the Council’s Enforcement Officers relating to the Rat Infestation
Smedley Avenue – now have an OMA and all previously vacant plots have been let
Florence Avenue – there being no representative of Florence Avenue present it is not known if any progress has been made on the car park.
Tonge Moor – the Allotments section have now emailed the secretary at Tonge Moor confirming she may now let one plot and promising to follow up two other (mal-cultivation) issues.

It was generally felt that there is an issue relating to keeping secretaries informed as to Council progress on issuing requested mal-cultivation notices and on tenants who have vacated their plots.

Particular points are that Secretaries need to know when a tenancy ceases (either through the tenant leaving or through the tenant receiving notice to quit) so that plots may be re-let before they deteriorate too far. This applies particularly to tenants who do not pay their rent in response to the October notices, can secretaries be informed in February at the latest of such tenants so that the plots may be re-let in time for the growing season.

Break-ins and Vandalism

May saw a number of small break-ins and vandalism reported. Then it got more serious – Harpers Lane had a rotovator stolen and then there was a major set of thefts from Ainsdale Rd.

This pattern is being repeated at sites throughout the Borough – Moss Lea, Tonge Moor, Tonge Fold, Sapling Rd. etc.

A number of sites (Harpers Lane, Moss Lea, Tonge Moor) are also experiencing a lot of fly-tipping – the need to keep site gates closed and locked needs to be stressed. We need the Council to support site societies in any action they take against those who persistently ignore the need to lock the gates.

Onion, Leek and Vegetable Show – August 20^th

Posters (a revised design for use in e.g. shop windows) for the show can be obtained from the Committee.

We still (urgently) need sponsorship (£10 per class) for individual classes at the Show

Schedules of classes etc. will be printed following this meeting and be made available through the Show Committee.

There will be stalls at the Show showing local produce (honey, ice cream etc.) and with information on the NAS and the National Vegetable Society. If any society or any of its members wishes to take a stall then please contact Dave Jackson on boltonallotments2014@yahoo.co.uk Stalls will be free, but numbers will be limited.

The show is being sponsored by the University of Bolton

Bolton Allotment Competitions

The first round of judging in the Fairhurst, Greenhalgh, New Entrant and Rose Bowl competitions has been completed

The second round of judging will take place w/c July 18^th

The prizes will be presented at the Bolton Onion, Leek and Vegetable Show on August 20^th by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Boton, Mr George Holmes

The prizes have been provided by J Maher Ltd.

Both the show and the allotment competitions have been supported by a grant from the Big Small Grants Fund through Bolton CVS

The Harrogate Trip

TheTrip to the Harrogate Show will take place on Sunday 18th Sept 

The Treasurer (Terry Farrell) needs to know who wants to go and he needs the transport payments in advance – the July abas meeting is the crucial date.

NWCAA

The North West Counties Allotments Association is holding its quarterly forum in Tameside on July 3^rd. All secretaries whose societies are members of the NAS should have received notice

Abas will be represented by the Chair (Jeff Gibson)

NWCAA is again running their “The Best Allotment Site in the NW” Competition. This competition is community-based and a key factor is what a site does for its members and others as well as what it looks like. Details are now posted on the NWCAA web-site. Entries Close August 31st

The Allotted Exhibition

The Allotted Art Exhibition runs from 30th June till 7th August in the Market Place (Neo:Gallery 27 on the 1^st Floor).

There is a catalogue of the art work which will be available at the gallery during the exhibition. The catalogue has been funded by Bolton Arts Forum.
There is also a booklet “Allotted: the back of the seed packet” which contains essays, stories and poems inspired by Allotments. The booklet has been funded by the National Allotments Gardens Trust.

Posters advertising the exhibition were made available to Site Secretaries at the end of the meeting.

There is interest in widening participation in this event. Although all spaces for 2016 (both in the exhibition and in the booklet) have been taken, there is already interest (from plot-holders interested in photography and short story writing) in repeating the project in 2017. The Secretary agreed to investigate whether (if we cannot find suitable gallery space) the project could be part of the Annual Show next year.

What’s on?

We shall have posters at the Allotted Exhibition giving details of events (Open Days etc.) on Sites during July – September.

Events so far are:-
Tonge Fold – Open Day – 10^th July
Astley Bridge Festival – July 10^th / 11^th – will involve Moss Lea and ? Florence Avenue?
Sapling Rd. – Open Day 14^th August
Moss Lea – Open Day 27^th August
Shepherd Cross Street – Mini-show, Barbecue 28^th August start 2.30 p.m. entry £3.00
Harpers Lane – 11^th September

If any other site is having an event please could they let us know. We need to get the posters ready by June 28^th (latest)

Bee Swarms

Abas have been contacted recently for assistance regarding Swarming Bees.

If you think you have a swarm of honey bees and don’t have a bee expert on your site then you should go to the Manchester District Beekeepers’ site (mdbka.com) – click on the link to ‘Swarm Service’ – access ‘To Find a Swarm Collector’ and follow the instructions. This will give you contact phone numbers based on your postcode.

Any Other Business / Date of Next Meeting

There was a brief discussion about self-maintenance / self-management (prompted in part by the piece from the National Chair which had been copied onto the abas blog-site).

A major concern was how given the Council’s evident lack of resources, maintenance of sites (even the limited activities covered by OMAS) could be afforded by Site Societies. It was agreed that where the Council has discontinued tasks which it previously undertook or had done by contractors most of the jobs (e.g. grass cutting, hedge cutting) so created would involve paying a third party to come in and do them. Societies will find difficulty in finding the funds to pay other people to do this work. There will be resistance from plot-holders to putting subscriptions up to pay for work which many tenants still feel is the Council’s clear responsibility.  

The Secretary reported that he had had little success in finding ways to access plant and equipment such as diggers etc. so that societies could undertake minor works. It was felt that contractors were the only answer. Abas will investigate whether the Council can assist in finding an effective, affordable arrangement.

There was a limited discussion of the NAS Chair’s points about the responsibility for the allotment service being transferred to third parties. There was some discussion about Bolton at Home’s initiatives in creating ‘hubs’ based on some social housing estates, but concern as to whether such a model could be applied to other areas. There seemed little enthusiasm in the current climate for either individual sites or abas to take control.

The next meeting is on July 11^th at Astley Bridge Cricket Club

Start Time 8.00 p.m.

NEXT ABAS MEETING - MONDAY 13TH JUNE 2016

ABAS

AGENDA FOR 13^TH JUNE 2016

Meeting at Astley Bridge Cricket Club – 8.00 p.m. start

 

Introduction/Welcome to Those Present

 

Minutes of Previous Meeting Monday 9th May

        These have been posted on our Blog site

 

 Matters arising from those Minutes 

Abas Concerns / Issues Matrix

(This will include an update on break-ins, theft and vandalism)

       General Activities / Interest.

·        The Allotted Art Exhibition runs from 30th June till 7th August in the Market Place (Neo:Gallery 27 on the 1^st Floor). There is a catalogue of the art work which will be available at the gallery during the exhibition. The catalogue has been funded by Bolton Arts Forum.

There is also a booklet “Allotted: the back of the seed packet” which contains essays, stories and poems inspired by Allotments. The booklet has been funded by the National Allotments Gardens Trust.

Posters will be available to Site Secretaries at the meeting

 

·        Bolton Onion Leek and Vegetable Show Sat 20th August

Show Schedules will be printed following the Abas June Meeting

We are still seeking Sponsors for individual Classes

There will be stalls at the Show showing local produce (honey, ice cream etc.) and with information on the NAS and the National Vegetable Society.

 

·        Allotment Competitions, Judging of the First Round is now Completed, Second Round of Judging is W/C 18th July.

 

·        Harrogate Show  Sunday 18th Sept 

 

·        NWCAA is again running their “The Best Allotment Site in the NW” Competition Details are now posted on their Web Site

Entries Close August 31st

 

·        NWCAA will be holding their next Open Forum Meeting on Sunday 3rd July

It will be hosted by Tameside Federation at Holy Trinity Community Centre, Dean Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7HD

 

“What's On”

·        Can any site holding an Open Day, Show or Plant Sale please tell us

So far we know of

·        Florence Avenue

·        Sapling Road

·        Harpers Lane

 

·        We hope to produce posters etc. which we will display at the Allotted Exhibition listing all events.

 

Bee Swarms

·        Abas have been contacted recently for assistance regarding Swarming Bees.

·        If you think you have a swarm of honey bees and don’t have a bee expert on your site then you should go to the Manchester District Beekeepers’ site (mdbka.com) – click on the link to ‘Swarm Service’ – access ‘To Find a Swarm Collector’ and follow the instructions. This will give you contact phone numbers based on your postcode.

 

AOB

 

Close of Meeting

BREAK INS AT AINSDALE ROAD

We received the message below from Ainsdale Rd

Hi.Dave.

 

Just to inform you Ainsdale Road Allotment, was broken into and quite a bit of equipment was taken.

Rotovators- Strimmers- Mantas Gas heaters and Cookers plus quite a few garden tools.

The police have been informed.

If you could please do us a favour and inform other allotments.

To be careful of anybody trying to sell any equipment like this.

Kind regards

Mike Hill

Assistant secretary.

Ainsdale Road Allotment 

Abas note - a rotovator was also stolen from Harpers Lane Allotments in the last fortnight

 

Comments of Tony Heeson - Chair of the NAS' management Committee

Those of you who receive copies of “Allotment and Leisure Gardener” the National’s quarterly magazine may have seen the Chairman’s Comments section in issue 2 2016 (page 5). There were certain elements in that piece that seem to have relevance to the situation here in Bolton.

We reproduce it below, with some of our comments in italics, the National’s Management Committee Chairman – Tony Heeson wrote:-

“Unfortunately, we are still hearing of local authorities that are attempting to make their allotment ‘Service’ cost neutral. This is essentially the case in Bolton with its ‘balanced budget’ which equates spending to the amount brought in in rents. Bolton would argue that the balance is only on ‘direct costs’ and that the (unquantified) costs of administrative and clerical time represent a subsidy. Certain of our members have disputed this, perhaps there is a case for a Freedom of Information Request to gain more information?

The usual way is to hike the rents up by ridiculous amounts (this is not the case in Bolton where rent increases have been kept in line with inflation. The National’s recent Survey suggest that Bolton’s rents are on the cusp between the top of the lower block of 59% (£20-£50 p.a.) and the bottom of the second lowest block of 16% (£50-£80 p.a.) ) or encourage sites to become self-managed or under devolved management (OMAs may loosely fit under devolved management) depending on the politics or fashion of the moment; all attempts to reduce the costs to the LA. Personally I am a big believer in self-management, but I have been around long enough to know that it is not a panacea and is not suitable for all occasions and situations.

We are now hearing of local authorities that are looking to commercial companies, although if the authority cannot run it at a small costs to the ratepayers, I don’t see how a commercial enterprise that by its very nature, has to make a profit, can hope to provide such a service. Others have reportedly asked voluntary organisations such as community groups to undertake the work. Have they the ability and can volunteers provide the amount of effort to run a number of sites that could encompass hundreds of plots, or do they think it will be easy and that profits they make from the rents will enrich their coffers? Are they aware of statutory and temporary sites? Do they know of the many acts concerning allotments and where are they going to get such advice when it is needed? Are they in fact capable of the day-to-day management of such an enterprise? Self-management by allotment federations (for example) has been seen to work successfully, (in Bolton this would mean abas) but others including voluntary groups have failed. Are the local authorities aware that as Landlord Paramount they cannot absolve their responsibilities along with the lease? If the new landlord fails or other such problems occur then the LA still has to pick up the pieces. They should do, as has already happened, and it could be at a very high cost.

We have had assurances from the Council that ‘the Allotment Service’ is not on any current agenda for major restructuring, the basic argument seems to be that costs have been cut to the bone and the likely return to the Council from further action would have negligible effect. This is in a way reassuring but it has meant that (for example) the idea of taking allotment site self-management to the Bolton Innovation Fund was deemed a non-starter (no savings to the Council to be demonstrated). In the past there have been unsubstantiated rumours about transfer to Bolton-at-Home or the Lancashire Wildlife Trust but that is all it has been, rumours.

The Abas Committee’s views on self-management echo the National Chair’s, in principle we find it attractive, in practice the problems loom very large, and we are currently supporting the Council’s middle way (OMAs).

The Chair of the National’s Management Committee’s piece raises a number of points and a number of fears (without it must be said proposing any solutions or ways forward). How do members feel about what’s being said? Let us know.

Notes from the meeting 09.05.2016

Meeting was attended by some 13 people from 7 Allotment Sites.

Apologies Dave Jackson (illness) , Terry Farrell (annual holiday)

Talk

We welcomed our Guest Speaker Mr John Woods FNVS who gave a interesting and informative one hour Talk on “Growing Quality Vegetables for the Table and Show Bench”. John will also be Judging at the Harrogate Show in September and our Onion Leek and Vegetable Show in August.

 Following Mr Woods’ talk, the normal business meeting was held.

Minutes of previous Meeting 

The minutes of the meeting on 11 April (as Posted on our Blog site) were agreed by our Members Present

Matters arising from the Minutes

    Allotment Crime, - it was reported that there had been minor break-ins at Harpers Lane

    The Secretary had reported no progress on finding a contractor /plant hire firm to work with

    us

Abas Concerns Matrix

    Points as mentioned in previous Minutes

    Rawlyn Rd , no one present from Rawlyn Rd to provide an up date

    Shepherd X Street no one present from Shepherd X Street to provide an up date

    Florence Avenue , there has been no development regarding the Car Park

    Harpers Lane have had no action on the Rat infestation

    Smedley Avenue The Council were contacted about their OMA but no one present at  

    meeting to give an up date

Questions of the Meeting

Have all secretaries received up dated Waiting Lists? - Yes but a limited  response from those present. NB Sapling Road reported that they had no-one presently on their Waiting List

Have Secretaries re commenced their Monthly reports and Plot Inspections? - Yes but a limited response from those present

Has Council reviewed / Commenced Eviction Notices re Mal cultivation or Non Payment of Tenancy Renewals, - limited response from those present

Moss Lea has there been any status update from Council regarding Individual Greenhouses, no but we were advised that the Secretary has done a Survey to determine who is interested in having a Greenhouse on their Plot.

Update on the Allotted Exhibition Market Hall 30th June

The Exhibition may be extended till the 7th Aug

  Meeting advised two books are to be produced – the first being the images of the artwork,  

  the second essays, prose and poetry.

 Up-Date on the Allotments Competitions.

 Those present advised Judging will commence W/C 6th June followed by W/C 18th July

 New Tenants Competition - regarding the question regarding whether the effective starting date should be the start of probation or the date a tenancy agreement was offered. Those present were advised that our opinion is that any prospective Tenant on probation should be allowed to enter, this will encourage and not restrict those entering,

Up date on Onion Leek and Vegetable Show

Those present were again advised that we were still seeking individual Sponsors for the 25 Classes. Florence Av to again Sponsor a Class at the Show

Up date on the Harrogate Show

Those present were again advised that if anyone is interested that they should contact Terry Farrell

Sapling Road expressed interest

Report back from NWCAA AGM Southport Sunday 24th April

Those present at our meeting were advised that Terry Farrell and Jeff Gibson attended the NWCAA AGM representing Abas and Minutes and  details of what was discussed and are now on the NWCAA website.

Interesting opportunities mentioned to those present at our meeting were the Opportunities of the B&Q Wastage Scheme and the Tesco Bags of Help Programme

Best Allotment Competition again to be run this Year Sponsored by Maher's again this year  Details on the NWCAA website

E-mail from the Allotments Section

The following points were raised.

 1.    Allotments are moving back to their office today so will have access to all their paper records and information again. The last few weeks have been a bit difficult. 

2.    Allotments have had complaints about smoke from fires affecting neighbouring residential properties, can all societies remind members of their tenancy agreement regarding Nuisance to other plot holders & neighbours. Allotments will be enforcing this rigorously if they get repeated problems. 

3.   Allotments have managed to make some progress with Cemetery Road, Kearsley and a number of Breach of Tenancy letters went to tenants last week. Allotments will be progressing offering plots over the coming weeks. 

4.    Allotments are in discussion with the local Councillors regarding making progress at Longworth Road, Egerton to address unmaintained plots and offer tenancies. 

5.    Allotments have a number of sites with no-one on the specific Waiting List so will be trying to identify anyone on the Waiting List for other sites who might be interested.

 There have also been discussions with the Allotments Section as to the correct action for a Secretary to take should someone refuse the offer of a plot.

The current position (as understood by abas) is as follows:-

In our view there are three grounds for turning down a plot that would mean you should not automatically go to the bottom of the waiting list 

1. Current and temporary incapacity - e.g. we had an applicant who was 8 months pregnant

2. Plot is too large or inaccessible in some way - and that the reasons for this are valid e.g. only some 4 or 5 of the plots at Harpers Lane are readily accessible in a wheelchair or a mobility scooter

3. The applicant is a buddy on an existing plot and is serving time either to gain a joint tenancy or to take over that plot 

We don't think the statement that they wanted a larger plot is valid - policy has often been that you take a smaller plot, serve your apprenticeship and apply for a transfer when a full plot is available

The decision to keep the person in their current position on the waiting list would be communicated to the Allotments section via the monthly report (there is an appropriate section).

If an applicant disagrees with a decision to put them at the bottom of the waiting list then they have the usual rights of appeal.

Anyone now offered a plot is put on probation and therefore should be informed of the criteria and the date at which a judgement will be made

“What's On”

Florence Avenue have an Open Day Saturday 4th June,

Sapling Road have an Open Day Sunday 14th Aug

Harpers Lane have an Open Day on Sunday September 11th

Bolton Onion Leek and Vegetable Show is on Saturday 20th August. Further info regarding Show schedule available end June

Abas Allotment Competitions are to be judged in June and July with the Presentations and Prises on the 20th Aug

The Allotted Exhibition from June 30^th to August 7^th.

We need information about other events as soon as possible.

Meeting Closed at 9:50 pm

Date of next Meeting Monday 13th June 2016 8 pm Prompt

The Secretary would like to thank Jeff Gibson for stepping in to run the meeting at short notice and Carol Deplitch for assisting with the minutes.