Site Inspection

At the committee meeting recently held on 11 Oct, 2020 it was decided that both Health and Safety and general Site inspections should be carried out. In accordance with current rules, these will be conducted on the first Sunday of November, (Sunday 1st November). The inspections will be conducted by by members of the Committee, and will comply with Coronavirus-Covid 19 restrictions. 

Reg Davenport, BLAHA Secretary

Allotment AGM and Committee Election

 AGM Arrangements 6th Sept 2020 11.00 a.m.

The outlined procedures will need to be followed to enable us to run the AGM legally and safely, minimising the risk of transmission of Covid 19.

· The total number present will be limited to 30

· Plot holder only to attend; 1 person per plot

· Meeting to be sited beyond a line across from Plots 7 & 20 to a line across from Plot 9 & 22. Area to be coned off

· No cars to be parked in that area. Cars will not be permitted to drive through whilst the meeting is in progress

· Parking areas of Plots 9, 20, 21, 22 to be used to accommodate pods of 6 people each (24 in total)

· Individuals in each pod will be at least 1 metre apart

· Each pod will be more than 1 metre from the next

· All individuals in the pod to face the same way i.e. towards those conducting the meeting

· Committee members (3) conducting the meeting will do so from the area in front of Plot 8

· The remaining 3 places for attendees will be available on Plot 7 and the access road

· Attendees to register with Debbie, giving their name & Plot number

· Although not mandatory, it is advised that masks/ face coverings are worn given the maximum number of the group

· Hand sanitiser will be available

· Individuals must inform the Secretary as soon as possible if they test positive for Covid 19 within 14 days after the meeting

· Please limit your interactions whilst at the meeting and maintain social distancing at all times

Thank you.

Reg Davenport, Interim Secretary Plot 7a

Election of Committee

Given that the Proposed Constitution is accepted by the members at the AGM, the election of the committee and its officers for the coming year will take place at the meeting in accordance with that constitution.

Nominations for the positions of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and the committee should be submitted to the current secretary by Friday Sept 4th. Please post nominations to the shed at the bottom of Plot 7a. A number of the current committee have indicated their willingness to stand for election.

Voting will take the form of a show of hands.

The Agenda will be posted on the notice board and shed in due course.

Change of Secretary

Hello Everyone

You may be aware that John Jarvis was intending to step down as secretary at the next AGM, however with the outbreak of COVID 19 a meeting has not yet been possible.

Therefore with committee approval John has passed the role to Reg Davenport on plot 7a until an AGM can be called.

All matters regarding the site need to be directed to Reg in this interim period on plot 7a. If Reg is not on site then do contact another committee member and Reg will get back to you.

Many thanks

Mel

Missing mobile telephone

If anyone spotted a mobile phone last Friday 27th March  around 2.30pm, one of our U3A fellow  allotmenteers has been parted from it.

Please use the contact form if anyone has any information that can help return it to it's owner.

Many thanks

Mel

Covid - 19 Update 2

Further to this mornings update the National Allotment Society have not changed their advice and it remains the case that we are still alright to visit our plots to take exercise.

Only Plot holders are allowed on site at this time - please do not bring children or visitors to the site.  It is vital that you consider fellow plot holders and their families, particularly those who are vulnerable, and you must follow the advice about social distancing and hygiene referred to in my previous posts and the additional advice here. And remember many of the conditions that place people in higher risk categories will not be visible.

To minimise risks the gate will be opened in the morning and will remain open throughout the day.
If the gate is closed when you arrive, please leave it open.  One of our fellow plot holders has advised that they will ensure that it is closed at the end of the day.

You are also asked to clean the tap after use - ideally with a cloth and soap.

People who are self isolating because a household member is ill with corona-virus should not visit the site.

Consideration is being given to alternative processes for ordering, collecting and paying for compost from the site. If anybody has any suggestions for this please let us know via the Contact Form.
A further order for compost will not be made this season as is will not be possible to offload the delivery and ensure good 'social distance' practices.

The Contact Form can be used to let us know if you can offer assistance to fellow plot holders, or are in need of assistance yourself.

Please keep checking here for further updates.

Covid-19 Update

Yet again the situation has changed following the Prime Ministers statement last night (23rd March 2020). The National Allotment Society has posted an updated to advise that they are consulting with central Government , but the situation at the moment is that it is still permitted to visit your plot, ideally on your own to take daily exercise. Nobody should be on your plot if they are not living as part of your household. It is vitally important that you follow the advice about social distancing and hygiene referred to in my previous post on here and you must not gather together on the site.

The guidance for people who are self isolating because a household member is ill with corona virus should not visit the site. 

Please consider those fellow plot holders and their families, particularly those who are vulnerable and make sure to follow Government guidelines at this time.

As advised previously please use the Contact Us Form if you can offer assistance to fellow plot holders, or are in need of assistance.

I look forward to seeing you all - at a safe distance.

COVID-19 GUIDANCE

Hi All,

As the days grow longer and the weather improves we will all have been looking forward to spending more time at the allotment. The ongoing situation with the Covid-19 virus means time at the allotment is more important that ever but it will require a little additional thought than it would normally.

While we usually try to keep things on here light-hearted and positive we must remember that some plot holders are at increased risk of severe illness from contracting Coronavirus and others will fall into the High Risk Category.  Some among us will have Family members who fall into one of these categories.  Many of the conditions that put people into these categories will not be visible.

The National Allotment Society has published some guidance on steps we can all take to do our bit to protect ourselves and the wider community.  Plot Holders must take the precautionary measures advised by the Government including:

• Observe 'Social Distancing' - keep 2-3 metres away from other plot holders
• Wash your hands regularly, and use hand sanitiser
• Minimise contact with others - no handshakes

It is important that any plot holder who is self isolating because they, or someone living in their household, is showing symptoms of Coronavirus does not visit the site under any circumstances.

If you wish to read the full guidance issued by the National Allotment Association you can find it here 

Fellow Plot Holders have offered help to those who are self-isolating or who have an increased, or High, Risk. If you need help please use the Contact Form on this page and we will do our best to arrange this for you.  If you are able to help please do the same.

An email has been sent to all those who have provided an address to the Committee; if you haven't received an email and wish to receive them in future please use the contact form on this page and we will update our records.

Lets hope we can enjoy a productive year on the Allotment.  We'll keep posting on here as the situation develops.  Stay safe everybody.

New Year and Free Stuff

Hello Allotment holders and Happy New Year.

In the spirit of reducing waste and the make do and mend attitude that most of us have, the lovely people at Conquest Plants nursery in Bosley have offered us some plug trays for our produce. 

The trays range from 4 cell to 84 cell which they are giving away FREE to anyone who can make use of them. They are ideal for seed sowing, growing young bedding and vegetable plants. They have been used and are not washed but reasonably clean. 

You can see some examples on their Facebook page @Conquestplantsnursery with photos.

If you would like some, please contact 

Conquest Plants Nursery

Leek Road, Bosley

Macclesfield

Cheshire SK11 0PP

Tel: 01260 223793

Facebook: @ConquestplantsNursery

Let them know you are from the Byrons Lane Allotment Association.