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News Update 2010

Longest Serving Member Passes Away

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the passing of our longest serving member Graham Fogwill.

A member for over 54 years Graham had plots on Decoy Field, where he was the reliable old Sage that everyone sought advice from.

He was a great wit, had a wicked sense of humour and was liked by all who knew him.

He supported the work of the Management Committee over the last ten years and happily came to all of the events laid on during the year, especially the Fruit & Veg. Show.

At the AGM in March I proposed a cup be purchased for the winner of this show and that it be called the Graham Fogwill Memorial Cup in his memory. I started a collection with £10.00 and members at the meeting responded by donating over £170.00 on the night.

I knew Graham well and he will be missed by all.

Tim Callard Chairman

AGM 2010 Main Points

The Minutes and Accounts were approved by the members.

Rents will not increase this year but with a rent increase due from the Landlords next year it is likely that rents will have to go up at the next rent increase, especially if there is a hot summer.

Late Payment Penalty for rents caused much debate, and although it was not carried through last year due to administrational problems and the postal strike. The members voted in favour of a £10.00 per member Late Payment Penalty and voted in favour of a list of members paying late being displayed on the fields.

Water and use of water butts to save the Association money was high on the Secretaries list of priorities for all members. He also told the members that everyone should inform the Field Managers if they give permission to other plot holders to take produce from their plots. Failure to do so was leading to accusations of theft, something that everyone wanted to avoid if the accusations were false.

The Seeds of Success Shop reported its best year since opening in 2003. With extra storage space there will be economies of scale when buying larger quantities of compost etc.

Resignations were down against 2008 and new members up, as a result of plots being split.

An 18 Month Probationary Membership Agreement was welcomed by the members as it meant that new members would be aware that they had to keep their plots cultivated and follow the rules of the Association.

The new Secretary is Mr Roger Beech and the new Membership Secretary is Mrs Nicola Cair.

Their respective telephone numbers are as follows – Tel: 07804 122826 (Secretary), and 07812 684399 (Membership Secretary).

The rest of the Committee was re-elected.

It was proposed that the Field Managers Honorariums increase from £25 to £50 and that the Field Support Manager received an Honorarium of £50.00. The members voted in favour of these increases, which it was felt were long overdue.

The Chairman reviewed the year and pointed out that the fuel crisis, the increase in fuel tax in the budget and the consequent increase in food prices would be the cause of even more people wanting to grow their own food.

He thanked the Committee for all of their hard work during the year and started a collection for a cup for the Fruit & Veg. Show in memory of Mr Graham Fogwill (Decoy Field) the Associations longest serving member who recently passed away after a short illness. The members responded by donating over £170 on the night.

News Update 2009

Secretary Steps Down

It is with great sadness that Secretary Basil Townsend has been forced to step down due to ill health. Roger Beech (Decoy Field) has stepped in as Acting Secretary until the A.G.M. in March 2010.

The Registered Address will remain unchanged until after the A.G.M.

Vice Chairman Steps Down

It is also with great sadness that Vice Chairman Roy Tucker has been forced to step down due to ill health. Nick Hamzij (Blake’s Field) is Acting Vice Chairman until the A.G.M.

Rents

Rents have been sent out although members are still taking their time returning their rents.

Newsletter

The latest Newsletter is currently being circulated by the Field Managers.

New Field Signs

Within the next month new signs should appear on all fields with all information updated.

Good Year for Seeds of Success

The Association Shop is growing in popularity and has had its best year to date.

New Contact Number for Existing Members

The Association Phone Number has changed it is now 07804 122826.

The phone number for prospective members remains unchanged 07812 684399

Other News

Problems with trees, tracks, drainage are currently being investigated with the help of the Landlords.

ARTICLES:

Judging 2009 - All the winners from this year's NADCAA awards.

News Update 2008 - Straight from the desk of the Chairman, an update on the latest news for Nadcaa.

2008 AGM - This will be held at the Mid Devon Constitutional Club on Saturday March 29th at 7.30PM. The Committee have agreed to stand again if any members have nominations or items to raise please send them to the Secretary to be with him no later than the 14th March.

2008 Judging - The Judging this year will be on Saturday July 12th.

Shooting Incidents At Bradley Field - There have been conflicting reports of someone firing at greenhouses on Bradley Field. This is causing great concern to both the Management Committee and the Landlords. Will ALL members please ensure that if they are on the field when one of these incidents occur that they phone - The Police - Mr Phil Rowe (Town Clerk) and the Secretary.

Messages from the Chairman

ITEM 1: AGM 2007: The date will be 24th March 2007 at the Mid Devon Constitutional Club at 7.30PM.

The Committee is standing again with the exception of Jo White Membership Secretary. This post offers and Honorarium of £125 per year and requires a home computer and some knowledge of Excel. The person doing the job gets the use of the Association Laser Printer.

If any members have any nominations or items for the Agenda could they please send them to the Secretary at 77 Aller Brake Road. The deadline for all items/nominations is 14 days before the AGM.

ITEM 2: Following several incidents of theft of petrol from sheds and one suspicious incident involving a members shed, the Landlords have issued a ban on keeping petrol in sheds on all fields.

Small mixer bottles are allowed and members are not expected to empty petrol tanks of machinery they have been using.

ITEM 3: Seeds of Success the allotment shop at Decoy Field has opened for the new season. 10:30 -12:30 Saturday & Sunday and 2:00 – 4:00 PM on Wednesdays. The shop will not open if it is raining.

Coach Road Official Opening

A jam packed day as Coach Road gets it's official opening.

Bathing... Beauties?

What do you get when you cross two men, one trough and a water shortage?

Dates For Your Diary:

Saturday July 15th 2006 will be the Judging Date for 2006.

Saturday July 21st 2006 will be the Open Day and Association Barbeque (starts 7.30PM at Decoy Field). There will be a competition for the Best Fruit Cake, Best Sponge and Best Scones judged by Master Baker Mr Adrian Full, with cash Prizes.

Saturday 26th August 2006 - Official Opening of Coach Road Allotment Site In attendance - Lord Clifford, The Mayor, Town Councillors and National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners representatives. Everyone welcome.

20.01.06: AGM date set

The AGM has been scheduled for 25th March 2006 at the Mid Devon Constitutional Club.

20.01.06: New committee layout

There's been some changes on the committee.

23.10.05: New rent levels

A note from the Chairman regarding rents.

23.10.05: Coach Road begins to take shape

The latest new from our newest field.

17.08.05: 2005 Allotment Judging Results

Who came top in this year's allotment awards?

18.07.05: Chairman's message on a tragic loss

An obituary.

05.07.05: Council reports on Coach Road

Teignbridge District Council press release on the future of Coach Road.

SHORTS:

• Mr Arthur Grove of Cooke’s Field has recieved a Certificate of Honorary Membership from Chairman Tim Callard & Field Manager Margaret McKendry. Arthur has been a popular member for 45 years. It is thanks to long serving members like Arthur that the Association is still going strong.

• A serious water leak between Blake’s & Cooke’s Fields is causing concern. Investigation has revealed that the water pipe, over 25 years old, is splitting along it’s whole length. It has been proposed that a new pipe be laid beside the old one. The problem is - who is going to do it? The Association does not have the funds to pay someone to dig a 300 yard trench. Would you volunteer to help lay it? If so please contact Mrs. Colomb.

• Water Leaks cost us a lot of money last year, please be vigilant! If you see water leaking please don’t leave it, it’s your rent running away and the Association’s future.

• Trees have been removed from Bradley Field boundary without permission. Please remember that all of the trees that surround our fields are subject to Tree Preservation Orders. Members who remove trees could be subject to a £2,000 fine.

• With all fields full and plots in demand we are having to be extra vigilant if plots fall into a state of non - cultivation. We remind all members that plots must be cultivated as part of our agreement with the Landlords. Failure to do so will result in a Lapse in Cultivation letter and possible Eviction if no action is taken. Please keep your plot/s cultivated and as weed free as possible otherwise you may lose them!