Newsletter
Association
Throop Road
Bournemouth
SPRING 2024 Chairmans Ramblings
Throop and Holdenhurst Parish Council
We have agreed the lease with our new landlords. With effect from 1st April we are responsible for all repairs and maintenance but the annual rent reflects this. At some stage in the near future there will be a signing “ceremony”. The new lease does not change or invalidate our rules.
Rats n Cats
In an effort to help with the rat population we are getting some feral cats from the cat’s protection league. We need to construct a “cage” for them initially; this will be located on the northern side of the allotment building, where they can acclimatise to their new surroundings. After a few weeks they will be released to the site where, hopefully, they will make the rats less welcome. Please remember they are “feral” and should not be petted. Once they are loose on site we must avoid rat poison because if they catch an infected rat they could be infected themselves.
Bonfires
At the AGM in November, we agreed to amend our rules to ban bonfires from 1st April to 30th September. If you have anything to burn it must be gone before April with all the restrictions already in place i.e. only dry material and the wind in the right direction to avoid inconveniencing our neighbours. Failure to comply with this rule could see bonfires banned completely by the Council. That’s probably enough from me, good gardening
P. Whiting…………..Chairman
Wildlife on the plot
Don’t forget our insect friends either. A pile of logs, bamboo canes tied together or try burying an old teapot with the spout sticking out as a perfect home for ground nesting bees. We need these pollinators to help us.
Shop News
Still for sale in your shop, we still have some seed potatoes at £3.20 for 2kg. All the new season seeds are on sale as usual. With the closure of Kings Park Nursery, we will not be able supply plug plants this year.
Jobs for March
Now is time to sow greenhouse tomatoes, courgettes and cucumbers. Plant onion sets and early potatoes. Prepare fine seedbeds for vegetables. It is also a good time to divide perennials for new plants next year. Finish winter pruning of gooseberries, blackcurrants, blueberries and autumn raspberries.
Plot Inspections
Each month we carry out plot inspections to make sure that the plots are being cultivated and well maintained. From February onwards the inspections will become much more stringent than winter time when the weather makes visits to your plot difficult. If you haven’t started with proper cultivation yet look out! Paths and hedgerows are also the responsibility of the plot holder so please make sure they are cut and maintained. We have suffered in the last few years with regard to the state of some of the plots. We used to regularly win best site. Let’s try and make 2024 our year.
Best kept plot competition
This competition is run by the Bournemouth Federation and it has been simplified this year in the hope receiving more entries. Entry forms and schedules will be available in the shop soon.