Vacancies

We now have 2 half plots available and if you know anyone who may be interested direct them to the Trafford website for contact details. Here's looking forward to a fruitful season. 

Special Meeting

Attended a Special General Meeting last night where we discussed the financial report for the last financial year. Lanehead had questionned some of the entries on the report and submitted questions to the committee. These were answered in full and Laneshead seemed to be satisfied with the outcome. 

We then continue on with out usual Management Meeting where we discussed the election of a chair person. 2 people had put their name forward and after a vote the current chair has been re-elected to continue in her role. Feedback from the AGM was given to the committee also where letters had been written in commenting on the nature of the AGM. I also passed on the comments that I had heard whiist sat at the back of the hall when at least 3 different groups of people left stating their disappoinitment in the proceedings. Myself along with 1other member of the meeting also commented on the height of the table where the chair, treasurer, secretary and president were sat as we felt it was too low and they should be seated on the stage. 

The rule book is still being worked on by a sub-committee and they had brought up 2 bylaws that they felt needed more clarification. They were on siting and amount of trees that could be planted on a plot and a bylaw on nuisances which included infomation about bees, dogs, poultry and fires. 

As we all know councils are running short of mone due to government cutbacks and rent increases have been a hot topic for a while now. It seems like the rents will not be going up this year but may jump in amount next year. However there is a federation of allotment holders who are taking the council and those involved in the rent increases to task. Here's hoping they see sense and recognise that they cannot do this to us!

It has been lovely to see everyone out and about on the plot recently. Planting time is definitely upon us. For those who we have still not seen yet may we remind you that plots need to be being worked and 75% cultivated during the growing season. Polite notices will be being sent to anyone who is deemed not to be tending their plot. 

BBC2 Program

It's only just started but there is a program on BBC2 tonight all about allotments. Might be worth a watch, as I am hitting the town I'll 'tape' it and watch it later. Tuesday 15th April. 

Waiting list

At present we have one half plot available only so if you know of anyone who may be interested in it you can forward them to Trafford website for contact details. 

There are 2 waiting lists we have on the site, one is for current plot holders who wish to extend their plots. Then there is a  secondary one for the public who wish to have a plot. At present we have one person on the first list and nobody on the second list. 

Well that was interesting...

Attended the AGM last night at the John Alker Club. Our treasurer and 2 other plot holders attended also. Lots of discussion about last years minutes not being sent to people before the meeting and them having to request them from the society via email, a motion was passed not to read them out at the meeting. Questions were also raised about the finance report written by the treasurer and passed by the accountants about various entries in the account as in what they were and who they were paid to. Answers to all questions submitted will be emailed to all secretaries. 2 extra members to the general committee were accepted as only 2 members applied for the positions. It was commented however that members should be in attendance to accept their role plus do we still need these extra positions as we no longer had the trading post. Questions were also raised over members who preside on the management committee who no longer have a plot and is this following the rules. The new rule book is yet to be finalised and will continue to be modified at committee meetings. 

Other issues were raised personal to other sites which were heated at points. 

And so to the best part of the evening which was the presentation of the awards. Being the only prize winner on our site I graciously accepted my award. I dedicate the award to Jim Regan, whose raking was always a wondrous sight, especially when he was doing my plot! 

Letter through the post!

Received letter today regarding the AGM next week. So as long as all the addresses are correct all plot holders should have received theirs also. Will be an informative night, hopefully it will be a good turn out! 

Signs of better days to come?

Wow what a day! What a lovely day today was, the sun was shining, the wind was nearly non-existent and it wasn't raining. Perfect day for being on the allotment after the winter months. Nice to see some of the site holders down there toiling away preparing their plots ready for the new season. What a shame we didn't see more! This is perfect time and weather to start preparing things ready for the year ahead, and as we all know its all about preparation. Hopefully we'll get to see more of you over the coming weeks.

p.s. don't forget the A.G.M. on 26th March at the John Alker Club. Last year only me and Bill turned up, hopefully we'll get some more of you there.