NEWS PAGES
Do you have any news you would like to post on our site, anything of local or national interest is welcome. Send any details to swc.aa@virgin.net
The SWCAA are looking for active local groups across the country join us in supporting the modern development of allotment gardening. Interested? e-mail us at the above address, phone 01271 379997 or write to us at SWCAA- CIC, 22 Miller Crescent, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 7DZ
6th August 2008
CONTAMINATED MANURE
We have received a number of enquiries from allotment holders concerned about damage to their plants, through contaminated manure particularly potatoes, tomatos, carrots, lettuce and beans. These have either failed to grow properly or, in many instances, have failed to grow at all. The cause of these problems, is understanded to be the presence of a herbicide called aminopyralid.
If aminopyralid is present in the manure it is only likely to be present in small amounts. However, there may still be enough present to affect plants which are particularly sensitive to this substance.
The Pesticides Saftey Directorate (PSD) has confirmed that using manure, which could contain residues of aminopyralid, does not have implications for human health. However, in response to the concerns of allotment holders about damage believed to be a direct result from the presecnce of aminopyralid in the manure, PSD has been in contact with Dow AgroSciences Limited, the producer many of aminopyralid products approved in the UK. All products containing aminopyralid are to be suspended for sale, supply, and use with immediate effect whilst further investigations are undertaken. See the damage it can cause, visit GREEN LANE ALLOTMENTS - Just one of the many sites that have been affected.
5th August 2008
NEW ALLOTMENT SITE PLANNED FOR LAUNCESTON
With all the talk of our disappearing allotments it's always good to hear about plans to start a new allotment site. Scollagrove Allotments will be a privately run site and is in a country side setting on a nine acre field with lovely views all around, away from the hustle and bustle of town and free from nasty vandals.
The
aim is to create a place where the local community will benefit from growing
there own fruit and vegetables or flowers, and have a place to get together eat
there produce and discus growing methods. Local primary schools have been
invited to take part with there own plot for alternative activities and healthy
eating. when it opens in early 2009 the site will have : car parking,Water,plant sales center
communal pick nick/bbq area, composting area, eco toilets as well as being regularly maintained.
The plan is to create 50 plots to start with then in the next two years add another 50 then if demand is still increasing. To find out more you can e-mail Nathan Pearson at alternating_life@hotmail.co.uk
Taken from the MAIL 21/04/2008
The sales of vegetable seeds have risen by up to 60 per cent in the past year as the credit crunch affects people living in Britain. More people throughout the country are creating vegetable patches in their gardens in a bid to save money. The global economic crisis has seen the price of groceries such as carrots, potatoes and tomatoes rise by about 12 per cent in the past year.
As a result, people are increasingly buying vegetable seeds and creating their own food to become more self-sufficient. Seed producers and garden centres have reported growth of between 40 and 60 per cent. Clare Dixey, of seed suppliers Thompson and Morgan, has pointed to the current economic situation and people being conscious of their food's origin to explain the rise. She said: "We have seen a large increase in vegetable seed sales over the past couple of years. "Since 2006, our sales have been very strong but they have really gathered momentum over the past 12 months. There is definitely a credit crunch effect going on. "People are more conscious of where their food comes from and they would rather have plot-to-pot runner beans than have 10 day old ones shipped over from Kenya. "So it is far cheaper and far healthier." A spokesman for Sutton Seeds said:
"Over the past year or so sales have grown higher and higher because of the increase in supermarket prices. "People realise it is very easy to grow things like salad leaves and potatoes and it is a lot cheaper." Vic Plowman, who owns Plowman Garden Centre, near Wimborne, Dorset, said: "The sale of vegetable seeds have gone up more than 60 per cent. "These days, people are looking at tightening their belts and saving money where they can and they realise that growing their own vegetables makes a difference to the purse. "There is nothing like cooking a pan of fresh potatoes you have grown and just picked from the garden."
ADOPT A GARDEN SCHEME - Isle of wight
The Adopt-A-Garden proposal is an innovative pilot scheme on the Isle of Wight, which seeks to marry these two groups. The person who has a garden they can no longer look after and the individual who wants a growing space. The householder will get their garden looked after for free and the gardener gets a free allotment in return. No money exchanges hands and either party can give six weeks notice at any time.
The scheme could mean that some of the Island’s 3,000 uncared for gardens could be growing local food for local people… reducing food miles and encouraging healthy eating along with exercise through gardening activities. This fits very neatly with the Council’s Eco Island vision..
This pilot project will seek to match up 50 gardens with 50 gardeners over the next 14 months. The initiative will be expanded if extra funding can be accessed. To date the Isle of Wight Charitable Trust, The Footprint Trust and Anchor Staying Put have contributed to the project.
CROSS PARTY BILL TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO MAKE PROVISION FOR ALLOTMENTS.
Tony Baldry (Conservative MP for Banbury) is proposing a cross party bill. We should be supporting this as allotment sites are disappearing fast.
Have a look at http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-02-19c.154.0&s=allotments#g154.1 to find out more. This Bill ran out of time!
ALLOTMENT PETITION
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has written a message exclusively for people who recently signed petitions on the No10 website about climate change.
Mr Benn highlights the UK Government's commitment to seeking international
agreement on a post-2012 climate change framework, and encourages petitioners, their families, and friends, to use the new CO2 Calculator.
Read the message here:
http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page13496.asp
MP takes up plot-holder's cause
A SWCAA Committee Member has expressed his concern about developments in how tenants are removed from their allotment plots in Newton Abbot in South Devon. He is particularly concerned by the fact that tennants appear to have lost their right of appeal against their expulsion and not told of the reasons why.
It used to be against the constitution of the Newton Abbot and District Co-Operative Allotment Association and seamed to be a betrayal of the obligation that the Council has to provide allotment plots under the 1908 Allotment Act. In addition to this the Committee member points out that expelled allotment owners are not being compensated for their loss as suggested by the 1908 and subsequent acts.
Our Committee member has written to Mr Richard Younger-Ross MP expressing his concerns and the MP has responded by writing to the Secretary of the Committee of Newton Abbot and District Allotment Co-Operative Association asking how it can change it's rules and evict a plot holder without claiming or demonstrating any breach of tennancy regulations by that plot holder. We are very interested to hear their response .
Page updated 5th August 2008
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