Bouncing in to Spring with a whole lot of news

The newsletter sums it up! What a week of news, and what a lot of dates to put in your diaries...
Look out for follow-up information on many of these events.
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Look forward to seeing you soon! 

2014 Calendar

It's at the printers and will soon be on sale! 

Here's a sneak preview of our 2014 Calendar and it's looking great with thanks to all those who contributed photos to this community project. It will be on sale in the allotment shop by the end of the month priced £5 (what a splendid Christmas gift!!) 

Once again we're fortunate to be supported by our fabulous local businesses: Pextons, Frankie and Johnny's & The Good Food Shop all on Bishopthorpe Road, who will also be selling the calendar for us.

Member's photographs

Here are just a few photos taken by members of the association.  If you'd like to email in any of your pictures that would be great! It's always nice to see what's going on elsewhere - a bit like peering over the garden wall!

If we receive enough photos we will once again be compiling an association calendar 2014 
Please email your pics to: scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk

Sarah Austin

Iris Wells

Eric Leadley

Sally Hayes

2013 Calendar

Look out for the Scarcroft and District Allotment Association 2013 Calendar

On sale in the Allotment Shop, Pextons and Frankie & Johnny's Cook Shop on Bishopthorpe Road from first week in November. Priced £5 
Yes! Only £5 how's that for solving Christmas gift ideas.
Limited number printed so don't delay.

Once again this community project would not be possible without the photographic contributions from Association members and the support from our local businesses.

"Losing the Plot" on Scarcroft Allotments

Mikron Touring Theatre Company will be staging a free performance of their new show, ‘Losing the Plot’ at Scarcroft allotments at 7pm on Thursday 17th of May.

The producer, Peter Toon, is originally from York and is pleased to be bringing his unique theatre company to the City.

Mikron already have 60 venues booked for the 'Losing the Plot' tour, from Yorkshire down to Oxford and London.  But Scarcroft will be your nearest venue so don't miss this chance to see this great show.

The performance will start at 7pm. There are 40 seats available, or you can bring your own folding chairs if you don't have far to come.

If you are not bringing your own chairs, arrive early to be sure of a seat.

If the weather is less than summery, fear not - there will be gazebos aplenty to keep off any showers.

You can bring a picnic for the intermission, but soft drinks and simple snacks will be available on site for very reasonable prices.

As well as refreshments, there will also be "facilities" on site, for your enjoyment and relief at intermission time.

There is no admission charge for the performance.  However, the company will make a collection after the show so bring some change to show your appreciation.

There will be a 35 page full colour programme for sale, with play synopsis, lyrics of all the songs, and a quiz.

You may already have seen a poster on the notice board of your local allotment site, but meanwhile there’s a taste of the play here:

http://www.mikron.org.uk/plotBlurb.php


Losing the Plot is a play about Love, Life and Allotments.


The gardeners of Thistledale Allotments are a rag-bag bunch of diggers and dreamers. Strong personalities frequently clash over the best treatment for mealy bugs, and the annual 'Heaviest and Longest' competition is always a time when old feuds and new flirtations threaten to undermine the fragile peace.


Then Harvey from the Council pays them a visit and they realise that they must pull together, or forfeit their precious plot forever. But can they agree on a strategy? How will they convince Harvey of the vital role allotments have played in the life of the nation for centuries? What will they do when things inevitably get completely out of hand?


Told with a rollicking mix of old music hall tunes and brand new songs, Losing The Plot is a story of love - between people and the land; between people and people; and between people and their giant vegetables.



You can learn mote about Mikron and the work they do from their site:

www.mikron.org.uk

Archaeological Identification Event - 21st April

Archaeological Identification Day with “Bone” Jones

Saturday 21^st April

Andrew “Bone” Jones, from the York Archaeological Trust, will be on the Scarcroft site on Saturday 21^st April.

"Bone" will be available to identify any historic finds dug up from your own plots or gardens.

If the weather is nice we also hope to be able to venture out for some real-life archaeology on the Scarcroft site.

This should be a great event for adults and children alike.

We will be meeting at The Allotment Association's shop on Scarcroft at 14:00.

You can bring along any potential treasures for identification between 14:00 and 16:00.

Here's a little of what "Bone" has to say about his work and his passion for Archaeology, taken from the University of York website:

“Archaeology grabbed me as a fusion of practical activity and thinking about the meaning of your finds. And then there's the great joy of discovery. Introducing archaeology to children has been a big part of my life. It's too interesting just to leave it to academics! Everyone can relate to a find like a shoe or a sock - it brings the past to life. At the York Archaeological Trust we have an experiential, hands-on approach to education.”

You can find out more about the York Archaeological Trust here:

http://www.yorkarchaeology.co.uk/

Hope to see you, and your artefacts, at Scarcroft on the 21^st!

Scarcroft and District Allotments Associatio​n 2012 Calendar

The Scarcroft & District Allotments Association 2012 Calendar is now on sale!

The calendars are only £5 each.

Stock up now to ensure you have enough to give away as Christmas presents!

They are now available from the Allotment Shop, Pextons Hardware and Frankie & Johnny's Cookshop (newly opened on Bishopthorpe Road).

The calendars will also be available at the Allotment Association Social Gathering the Golden Ball on Friday 18th July: http://bit.ly/rv74IP

Scarcroft & District Allotment Association Autumn Social

Scarcroft & District Allotment Association Autumn Social

At the Golden Ball, 2 Cromwell Road, York

http://www.goldenball-york.co.uk/

Come along to catch up and to discuss what we hope has been another eventful and productive year of gardening for everyone, plot-holders and home gardeners alike

There will be a buffet and a fine selection of drinks available from the bar - as well as good company, of course!

Allotment Shop Opening Hours

A reminder regarding seasonal changes to the opening hours of the Allotment Shop on Scarcroft Allotments.

At present the Shop opening hours are as follows:

Saturdays 13.30 - 15.30

&

Sundays 10.00 - 12.00 

Throughout the winter months - November, December and January - the Allotment Shop will be open on SUNDAYS ONLY, but we will be returning to Saturday and Sunday opening from February 2012.

Please make a note of these changes and times, so you are not caught short when shopping for your winter supplies!

Full details about the shop can be found on its Blog Page:

http://scarcroftanddistrictallotments.blogspot.com/p/allotment-shop.html

Harlow Carr Visit - 2011

Hello all,

We are organising a trip to Harlow Carr on Wednesday 24th August.

Attendance will be via "car share", so let us know if you will be a driver of if you will need a lift.

If you would like to attend please contact Katy Brierley: katy@hookhouse.fsnet.co.uk, by Wednesday 17th August, specifying if you require transport or can offer space in your car.

More details about Harlow Carr can be found via the following link: http://bit.ly/re0hxR

If you wish to attend, we will be setting off from the shop on Scarcroft Allotments at 09:30 on the 24th and will be meeting at Harlow Carr at 10:30.

You may wish to bring a picnic, otherwise refreshments can be purchased on site.

The Allotment Shop - Opening Hours

There will be a few changes to the opening hours at the Allotment Shop on Scarcroft over the coming months.

At present the Shop opening hours are as follows:

Saturdays 13.30 - 15.30

&

Sundays 10.00 - 13.00

From 1st September 2011, the Sunday opening hours will be 10:00 - 12:00

Saturday opening will remain 13:30 - 15:30

Throughout the winter months - November, December and January - the Allotment Shop will be open on SUNDAYS ONLY, but we will be returning to Saturday and Sunday opening from February 2012.

Please make a note of these changes and times, so you are not caught short of your winter supplies!

Full details about the shop can be found on its Blog Page:

http://scarcroftanddistrictallotments.blogspot.com/p/allotment-shop.html

The Scarcroft and District Allotment Association 2012 Calendar

Calendar Submissions - last chance

A reminder that you might all wish to take photos of your plots for next year's Scarcroft Calendar.

The deadline for submissions is this Sunday, 16th October



 The suggested theme for the 2012 Calendar is Vegetables, Fruit & Flower from Seed & Blossom, through Growth to Harvest.

We hope that each page in the 2012 Calendar might be devoted to a particular vegetable, fruit or flower - showing all stages of growth from seed to harvest.

The calendar is open to submissions from plot holders and home gardeners.  There is still time to get out in your plots and gardens to get photos of your own produce, or if you have any photos saved which you feel might be worthy of submission, please dig them out and send them in!

 

It's nearly time to begin the selection process for the calendar, so start collecting your photos together and send them to:

sk.austin@btopenworld.com

The closing date for submissions is Sunday 16th October.

Happy Snapping!

Butterfly Conservation, Yorkshire Branch, upcoming events.

There will be a series of events in and around York over the coming weeks and months organised by Butterfly Conservation.

The events will involve guided walks through local areas of environmental interest, with a view to spotting all forms of wildlife and interesting plants, as well as butterflies of course.

The locations and dates of the upcoming events are as follows:

West Bank Park, York

Saturday, 4th June 2011 from 11:00

"Dalbyology" Forestry Commission Event - Dalby Forest Visitor Centre

Sunday, 5th June 2011 from 10:30 - 16:00

Clifton Backies, York

Sunday, 5th June 2011 from 11:00

Shipley Station Butterfly Meadow

Saturday, 18th June 2011 from 13:00

 Spurn

Saturday 18th June 2011 from 10:30

Bastow Wood

Sunday, 26th June 2011 from 10:00

Upper Newtondale

Rapers Farm Picnic Area

Saturday, 9th July 2011 from 10:00

St Nicholas Fields, York

Saturday, 30th July 2011 from 10:00

Hob Moor, York

Saturday, 30th July 2011 from 14:00-16:00

The Whins and Bridle Butterfly Walk

Shelley Whins and Bridle and Thunderbridge Meadows

Saturday, 6th August 2011 from 10:30

(or Sunday 7th August 13:00 if weather is poor)

Gunnerside and Low Row

Rowleth Great Wood, Swaledale

Saturday, 13th August 2011 from 10:30

And of course...

Insect Festival 2011 - Yorkshire Museum Gardens, York

Sunday, 3rd July 2011 from 10:00 to 16:00

As well as BC Yorkshire There will be a wide range of exhibits and activities, including:

Live insect displays (bees, hoverflies, aquatic insects and more)

CSI: Crime Scene Insects

Minibeast hunts around the Museum Gardens with experienced entomologists

National and regional natural history societies

The National Insect Week award-winning photographic display

Entomology book and equipment sellers

A Chance to build your own insect home for your garden

Face painting, creepy-crawly cupcakes, insect art and much much more...

The public are encouraged to bring their insect specimens or photos to be identified with the help of our team of IDENTomologists.

Come along for a day of insect fun in the beautiful Yorkshire Museum Gardens. Entry is free for under 16's and only £1 for adults.

Full details of all of these events, as well as contact details for the organisers, can be found at: http://www.yorkshirebutterflies.org.uk/events.html

Please note - dogs are not allowed on field trips.  Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.  Most walks follow rough tracks and require strong footwear.  Be prepared for all weathers.  Sun protection is advised.

The above field trips are open to all, you don't have to be a member of Butterfly Conservation, but if you are interested in joining the required information can be found here: http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/text/20/join_butterfly_conservation.html

Scarcroft and District Allotment Association 2010 Calendar is selling fast

This is proving to be very popular, so if you don't want to miss out get your copy soon.  You can get them from:

• The Association Shop on the Scarcroft Site
• Pextons - the hardware shop on Bishopthorpe Road
• The Good Food Shop - on Bishopthorpe Road
• or by emailing the association on scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk

At only £5 they make an excellent Christmas present.

2011 Allotment Association Calendar is on sale now

Did you know that our beautiful 2011 Scarcroft and District Allotment Association Calendar is on sale now, at £5 each?  This lovely calendar is made up of 60 different photographs taken by plotholders (from Hob Moor, Hospital Field and Scarcroft) and private gardeners.  It was expertly compiled by Sarah Austin, a Hob Moor plotholder and talented graphic designer.  Please note that we only printed 300 copies and we have 254 members, so please get yours soon to avoid missing out.

Front cover

A month view

If you want to pick up a copy, you can get one from Pexton's or the Good Food Shop on Bishopthorpe Road or at the Allotment Association shop on the Scarcroft site, or by asking any of the site secretaries (on Scarcroft Claire Pickard and Graham Sanderson, on Hob Moor Malcolm Hainsworth, on Hospital Field Chris Adams).  Johnny and Frankie from Pextons and Caroline from the Good Food Shop have very kindly offered to help us sell our calendars, without any benefit to themselves, except the warm glow of knowing that they are supporting a local community group.  We think this is particularly generous when you consider how precious display space is at this time of year. So thank you very much.

By the way did you know that the Good Food Shop has a weekly newletter?  It highlights new and interesting products they are selling, gives recipes and is often really quite entertaining.  If you are not yet a subscriber, email info@thegoodfoodshopyork.co.uk and Caroline Lewis will add you to the mailing list.  Let her know that you heard about her email from our website.

http://www.thegoodfoodshopyork.co.uk/
http://www.bishyroad.net/shop/pextons/

Please remember that the Scarcroft and District Allotment Association shop is only open at weekends Saturday 1.30 - 3.30 and Sunday 10 - 1pm (and only 11 - 1pm in December).

Calendar 2011 - the contributors

The 2011 Scarcroft and District Allotment Association calendar has gone to the printers.  It should be available in the shop from the 6th of November for £5.  Below is a list of all the contributors that were selected.  Well done to you all!

A special thanks should go to Sarah Austin of Sarah Austin Creative and a Hob Moor Plotholder for her HOURS of dedication to this project.

Deadline for entries to the 2011 calendar looms

After the success of the 2009 calendar and a short lie down and breather, the Scarcroft and District Allotment Association is now producing one for 2011.  The calendar will be made up of photos taken by plotholders and local residents - basically anyone who is a member of the association.  If you would like the chance of your photos being included in the 2011 calendar please e-mail your images to scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk or bring them in on a disc/USB stick to the association shop. Please mark them with your name and which site your are from or where the photo was taken.  Photos should be taken on Hob Moor, Hospital Fields or Scarcroft or other York allotment plots.  If they are not taken on the plots they shouls show fruit/veg grown on the plots. Images can show people, produce, the plots or wildlife. Both landscape and portrait are fine.  If you include pictures of children please make sure you have their and their parents permission.  We will try to include a wide range of photographers in the calendar so everyone has a good chance.

Deadline for submitting photos – Saturday October 16th 2010.

We hope to have them on sale by the first week of November - £5 each.

A Christmas present with many happy returns

A good friend, Mo Dening, from the Midlands, was one of the many people to receive a Scarcoft and District Allotment Association 2009 calendar from me for Christmas last year.  ('Just what I always wanted', I imagined they thought). This year I received an incredible present in return.  Pictured below is her hand painted collage of all the photos included in the calendar.  I thought I would post it so that you can all see it and see all your individual images included. 

If you read this, thank you Mo, it's such a thoughtful and amazing present.

Caroline Bush

Keep taking photos

There isn't an allotment calendar planned for 2010 but there might be one for 2011.  When we did the 2009 one we had far more summer and early autumn submissions than for November to April.  If the committee produces a new one for 2011 the closing date for entries is likely to be in October. This means that this autumn and winter will be your last chance to take autumn and winter photos for a 2011 calendar, obvious really.  Also it was easier to use landscape pictures than those done in portrait format.

Happy snapping.