Season’s greetings

Things just ain’t what they used to be, are they? Chestnuts aren’t roasting on an open fire, on account of health and safety regulations. And what with global warming, Jack Frost isn’t nipping at your nose so much as giving it a gentle suck. But through it all, your TAA Committee has been a beacon of stability, charm and good looks. So, to celebrate our genius and mark another year survived, some of us will be in the Black Horse on Sunday 29 December from 1pm, and we’d be delighted if some of you could join us. For those of you who can’t join us, here’s a load of words to ensure you don’t miss us too much. And anyhoo, although it’s been said many times, many ways, Merry Winterval to you.

New company

Avid readers of our updates on the creation of a new company may have been frustrated by the lack of news in recent weeks. In short, we ourselves have had a few frustrations, but we can tell you that Tugmutton Allotments Limited now exists, and we look forward to you becoming members of it in March. We still need to make some documents available to you (mainly the Company Rules and Terms & Conditions), but we can’t quite do that yet.

Bonfire ban

The excessively large amount of material needing to be burnt on the bonfires this year, and the huge volume of resulting smoke, prompted the Committee to review our policy on bonfires. We have decided that NO bonfires should be allowed on our sites at any time. Our rationale is:

•    They are very damaging to the environment. Allotment members, more than most, should be actively interested in pursuing environmentally friendly practices.
•    The large volumes of smoke from bonfires affect local residents, and affect our important relationships with them.
•    Our insurance does not cover the site or individual plot holders for any damage or injury caused as the result of bonfires.
•    Other sites in the borough have already had the same debate, and a number have banned all bonfires.

What should be done about green waste on our sites?

•    Plot holders should compost their own waste or take it to local recycling centres. This is existing policy.
•    We can and will reduce the amount of waste created at work parties: we will not cut trees and hedges above the height of two metres, nor will we cut foliage by the stream on Willow Walk.
•    Of the remaining work party waste, some plot holders might welcome taking some of the grass cuttings for their compost heap, but we will otherwise need to agree a plan to take waste to recycling centres.

Blackcurrant pests

We are grateful to Jocelyn, who reports that two blackcurrant pests have arrived on Willow Walk (and so Lovibonds will be under similar threat): big bud mite, and currant sowthistle aphid. If you’re a keen blackcurrant grower who hasn’t experienced these invaders before, do check out the advice on the RHS website (www.rhs.org.uk) and elsewhere. The only option following a substantial big bud infestation is to dispose of the plant (NOT on your compost heap) and start again: Ben Hope is recommended as a mite-resistant cultivar.

Bee plots

A review of our insurance arrangements prompts us to remind you: stay out of the bee plots unless your name is either Hans Migo or Steve Ballard.

Introduction to Beekeeping

We are grateful to Hans for alerting us to an introductory beekeeping course run by Orpington Apiary Club. See the attached details. Just so that you know, however, this does not imply that we’re inviting you to set up bee hives on our sites: we think that the current position, one bee plot per site, is ideal.