Kettering Allotments

Annual Report by the secretary 2011 AGM

Allotments in Kettering continue to flourish and we have been able to serve the gardeners in our town by having a well-organised committee and association. Sincere thanks to all of the field stewards, committee members and officers for all of their hard work. Thanks also to KBC, especially Kish Lad  and Pia Bellamy who continue to support us.

 

Highlights of the year (2010)

 

∑      A high quality security fence for Scott Road after many years of campaigning and negotiation. Special thanks to County Councilors Bill Parker and Carolyn Maxted for their grants of £3000 each. The fence cost £9268 altogether, with the balance coming from our associationπs funds (your rents). Thanks also to Pia Bellamy and Kish Lad at KBC for their liaison and the KBC team who actually erected the fence.

∑      Another year of full tenancy, with waiting lists in all of our fields. More and more plots are now actually cultivated as well as being paid for and almost no patches of overgrown land exist in our fields. New members are now offered a 5 pole plot (half the size of a traditional full plot) and this has reduced the waiting lists considerably.

∑      Free woodchips delivered to some fields.

∑      Free manure is available from local horse owners.

∑      Rent collection system is now more efficient than ever, and membersπ contact details are now up to date. More communication by email and internet, saving stamps and paper.

∑      Water troughs installed at Scott Road, replacing taps.

∑      A regular newsletter sent out by email and available from our website.

∑      The website ensures that information about allotments is available at any time, including our rules, contact details etc.

∑      Continued good liaison with the Police, especially PCSOs.

∑      Members have helped fill in potholes on the tracks and ridings with stones and hardcore.

∑      No rent increases for many years.

∑      Rabbits culled by Network Rail from Railway embankment next to Northfield Avenue.

∑      Guidelines for keeping poultry published.

∑      Procedures for complaints clarified and published.

 

Lows

 

An extended dry spell after a very cold winter made growing conditions difficult for many and pushed up our water expenses.

 

A large bill from Anglian water.

 

Some vandalism, theft, arson etc. on and off throughout the year.

 

Some members have not complied with our rules. The field stewards and committee have to spend a lot of time sorting out infringements in a fair and reasonable way.

 

More rabbit damage to crops at Scott Road.

 

Future Plans

 

Water conservation and rainwater collection is now a high priority. The committee has set targets for each plot to have rainwater barrels. Several members have made efforts to obtain free or low cost barrels etc. The aim is to keep rents low and reduce our carbon footprint.

 

Continued co-operation with Pia Bellamy and KBC as new housing and building developments take place in the town.

 

The committee is also targeting the issue of dumping of waste on allotments. Some of our plots have experienced this over the years and we aim to prevent any further fly tipping and clear up the waste that remains from earlier years.

 

Issuing of new key fobs for members

 

Efforts are being made to contact ferret owners to reduce the rabbits.

 

Thank you

 

Once again, grateful thanks to all our members, supporters, field stewards, committee members, officers and volunteers for helping us to serve the people of Kettering and maintain allotment gardening in the town.

 

 

Secretary

R Attwood

08.03.11