Our Secretary giving out prizes for quiz winners 2019
Secretary's Page
I shall be using this page to keep you informed of what's happening on site.
David Pendleton has been making regular inspections, and improvement letters have been sent out in some cases. His policy is always to get the tenant to voluntarily give up their plot if it’s not being cultivated.
There are currently a few plots available to let out. There is a new system to apply for a plot – via the Parish Council’s new web site. (wooston-pc.gov.uk) Applying via the web site usually means a much faster turn round between the applicant requesting a plot and the plot being granted.
After an exceptional hot and dry spring/summer we have all been struggling with our produce. The wildlife has also been affected, and we have a rat problem on site. There have always been rats around, and there probably always will be, but the level of activity this year has been very bad. Many tenants have had their crops raided.
Following a series of complaints on our WhatsApp group, I got in touch with David Pendleton and he was onsite within an hour for a meeting with Chair Ann and myself. His plan was to contact the Borough Council to find out what they do on the Borough owned allotment sites. This meeting was delayed for a couple of weeks due to the Borough Council pest control officer being on annual leave. However, the Parish Council now has a contract with the Borough Pest Control team starting on Monday 7th September and running through to March 2027. After this date the situation will be reviewed. It is important to note that the Pest Control will ONLY take place on communal areas of the site. It is up to individual plot holders to set traps on their plots if they so wish. Also note that you CANNOT use poison outside unless you are a licensed contractor. You can trap the rats , but if you catch them alive they must be dispatched, not taken somewhere else and released.
On a lighter note, the winners of the Allotment of the Year for 2026 are:
Small Plot: Geoff Hannigan
Large Plot: Jason Stafford. Jason also takes the shield for the best overall plot.
The AGM is booked for 23rd October – usual venue at the Club on Manchester Road.
Carey Randall