|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2022 9:41:39 GMT
The first inspection of 2022 was made at Oathall Avenue and America Lane sites on 14 March by tenants representatives and Helen Hewett for the Town Council. It was agreed that this first inspection would be used as a benchmark for further reviews during the growing season. We have been through yet another mild, wet winter, with storm Eunice right at the end, causing considerable disruption everywhere and some more significant damage to structures. Nobody's plot can be expected to be perfect or even fully prepared at this stage but there is a spell of fine , warmer weather coming and the next inspection is scheduled for Monday 25th April, following the Easter holiday so that most plotholders will have the opportunity to get their plots under cultivation. Letters will be sent to a number of plotholders on both sites pointing out issues observed at this inspection eg storm damage they may may have been unaware of or a need to dig over before weeds start to grow, and encouraging feedback.
As was revealed at the Allotment Holders meeting there are currently 31 on the waiting list, with 9 firm preferences for America Lane and 3 for Oathall Avenue. On both sites there are changes anticipated with some plotholders having advised they will be leaving and those plots will become available from 1 April. Helen will invite those on the waiting list to view these plots first and the tenant inspectors will be happy to show enquirers around.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Apr 29, 2022 8:06:53 GMT
Helen and the Tenant Inspectors revisited plots at America Lane and Oathall Avenue on Wednesday 27th April. We were very pleased with how many tenants had taken advantage of the long spell of dry and mostly warm weather to prepare and plant their plots for the new season. We'd also like to congratulate some of the new plotholders who've taken over their allotments from those giving up around the beginning of April. There has been a lot of hard work undertaken and it really looks impressive.
Inevitably there are cases where people have not responded and Helen will be writing to some to ask for urgent action or risk losing the plots as there are still many on the waiting lists it is unfair to neighbouring allotments if weeds start to spread or unsightly rubbish is accumulated. We will revisit around 20th May and hope that anyone who has a problem in maintaining their plot will talk either to the Inspectors on their own site or directly to Helen. We're here to help and will always try to find ways to keep plots working.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin on May 27, 2022 15:31:32 GMT
Today's inspection (27 May) was delayed because of rains last week. Their effect has been beneficial overall, with lots of crops ripening now after the sunny but dry period and not too may weeds for most plots. In fact the Inspectors felt that both sites had really responded to suggestions made from the last inspection and most plots are in very good shape. This is encouraging for the whole plan of Inspections. We don't set out to do judging (though more about that later) but to try to be helpful and anticipate any problems. Its good that we should work well with Helen so that the Town Council gets an understanding of the problems its tenants face to inform their decision making on how to deal with seemingly neglected plots.
A few sites need a little more work, and of course there has been quite a churn this Spring so new plotholders need time to get the measure of the new challenge. The Inspectors will monitor and will be happy to give advice on priorities, but there won't be another formal inspection until August. At America Lane neglected plots on the stream side are under review and if vacated they may be reserved to allow access for the work next year. If they are vacated we have the Council's assurance that the Grounds Team will strim and cover over with membrane to prevent the weeds from becoming a nuisance to neighbours.
The positives for both Oathall and America Lane are that we have quite a number of newer plotholders who are adding to the quality of the sites by good and inventive planting and strict weeding. Later this summer all of the allotments in Haywards Heath, including the privately run sites in Vale Road and Summerhill Lane, will be entered in this year's Haywards Heath in Bloom Best Allotments competition and judges from all 4 sites will visit and make awards. The standard should be very high from the evidence of our inspections and this should be an encouragement to all of us.
|
|
