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! 

Notice of AGM 2013

We're pleased to announce details of our forthcoming 2013 AGM 
Date: Wednesday 20th March
Venue: Southlands Methodist Church Hall, Southlands Road 
Time: 7.30pm ending by 9.00pm 

Please put this date in your diary, we're keen to see as many members as possible. This is your chance to hear from the committee and share your views and ideas. More details concerning the guest speaker and the agenda will follow.

York Get Growing! Courses

York Get Growing! have organised a wide range of free courses and sessions for Autumn and Winter 2012 -2013
For further information or to book a place 01904 644300
or see http://www.edibleyork.org.uk/project-partners/get-growing/training-courses

Local History Event

There's an exciting Local History Event being held at Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road.  This is a two day programme of free events Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd November from 11.30am onwards. On Friday at 3pm is a talk that may be of particular interest to gardeners and allotment holders, The History of Allotments in the Scarcroft area by Catherine Heinmeyer. 

Please see this link for more information 
http://clementshall.org.uk/events-2/public-events/local-history-project/

In case of vandalism

Unfortunately there have been a number of incidents of vandalism on Scarcroft Allotments recently.

As a reminder to plot holders if you find any damage done on your plot, please call 101, the police non-emergency number, and report it. 

Because few of the incidents that have happened have been reported, the site has been taken off the list of places for routine patrolling by the neighbourhood police team. 

If we report every incident, we’ll get routine police patrols again and that police presence does act as a deterrent!

"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!

2012 Seed Orders

Dear All

Yes, that time of year is nearly upon us and it's time to start curling up with the seed catalogue for next year.

As in previous years, we can offer members a 35% discount on many seeds from the Mr Fothergills seed catalogue.

Catalogues are available to borrow from the allotment shop (open Sunday 10am - 12noon on Dec 18th, then from 8th Jan 2012) or can be found online at:

http://www.mr-fothergills.co.uk/

The list of seeds which attract the 35% discount and the allotment association seed order form are available on request from the association (scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk) or at the Allotment Shop on Scarcroft.

Please use the association form to place your seed order; either drop it off at the shop or email a copy of it back to scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk.

Don't send any money in yet; we'll let you know the total when the seeds have arrived.

Any questions just drop us a line to the above address, otherwise happy browsing, planning and ordering!

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

Potato Availability & Prices 2012‏

 

Seed Potato Orders Deadline - 30th November 2011

Below is the full list of seed potatoes which will be available for the coming season.

Unfortunately, once again last year, we had some wastage on seed potatoes. This year we shall only have a small level of surplus stock over and above that pre-ordered by members and the range of stock varieties has been reduced.

To ensure your requirements are met you are strongly urged to place your seed potato order, either by e-mail to scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk or directly at the allotment shop, before 30th November.
Once again it is the intention to purchase the varieties marked in red in bulk which will enable us to retail these at what we believe is still a very competitive price of £1-20 per kg ( Pink Fir Apple £1-40 per kg ).

All other varieties are available to order in 2.5 kg nets priced around £3-75, however, if there is sufficient demand for a particular variety then these could also be purchased in bulk with a subsequent price reduction.

We regret that we are unable to split 2.5kg bags but you may be able to arrange to share a bag with a fellow plot holder.

First Earlies:

Arran Pilot
Home Guard
Pentland Javelin
Ulster Prince
Ulster Sceptre
Sharpes Express
Duke of York
Maris Bard
Foremost
Vanessa
Epicure
Dunluce
Rocket
Premier
Winston
Red Duke of York
Swift
International Kidney
Lady Christl
Casablanca
Witchill


Second Earlies:

Maris Peer
Catriona
Wilja
Estima
Nadine
Stroma
Marfona
Balmoral
Kestrel
Charlotte
Saxon
Nicola
Carlingford
Bonnie
Pixie
British Queen
Anya
Edgecote Purple
Gladstone
Heather
Ospray
Ulster Sovereign
Vivaldi


Main Crop:

Pentland Crown
Pentland Dell
Pentland Squire
Majestic
Maris Piper
Desiree
King Edward
Romano
Cara
Golden Wonder
Stemster
Kerrs Pink
Pink Fir Apple
Record
Sante
Valor
Maxine
Blue Belle
Picasso
Harmony
Markies
Edzell Blue
Setanta
Argos
Orla
Harlequin
Rooster
Sarpo Mira

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

Apple Day Celebration - A message from Laura Potts

 

Dear friends,

Let's celebrate Apple Day on Saturday October 15th at our very own orchard - in the middle of the Green on Scarcroft Allotments.

Although there won't be much by way of a harvest from this year, there will be a varied selection of apples and pears for us to sample and enjoy.

Do bring along any you have too, with names if you know them.

Contributions of fruit-based delights to share for an afternoon tea would be very welcome too. Bring a flask if you want a hot drink - or juices.  Plastic cups will be provided.

There will be bit of work to do to build up your appetite: We need to weed around the bases of the trees, and then to plant up the area with some traditional orchard meadow flowers - now I have finally succeeded in preventing the council mowing it to within a millimetre of its life!

Do bring any donations of plants you may have, trowels and watering cans.

The schedule for the afternoon is as follows:

3-4pm - planting watering weeding

4-5pm - tasting and feasting

hope to see you there

End of Summer Feast

Meet our new PCSO

Keith Hall PCSO 5457

Meet Keith Hall, one of our new police and community support officers.  His colleague is John Iemboli, not pictured here.  Scarcroft and Hospital Field allotment sites are part of their new patch, they are members of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.  Do say hello when you see them around, they are often to be seen on foot or on their bikes.

Remember, if you have any problems on the allotments - vandalism, criminal damage, trespass or rough sleeping (if rough sleepers present a problem for you) please let the police and the allotment association know.  If you witness a crime in progress ring 999, if you want to report a crime that is not happening at that moment please ring 0845 60 60 24 7.  The police may not be able to do anything about these non immediate crimes, unless there are witnesses, but telling them about what crime is happening on the plots with as much detail as possible about what, when and where, helps them build up a picture of the key times and areas and allows them to adjust their patrolling patterns accordingly.  And sometimes they will be able to act, as rumour has it that they were able to lift finger prints off one Scarcroft Allotment plot holder's smashed up greenhouse last year and were able to link the prints to an individual who was subsequently arrested.

Additionally, if you want to report crimes to the association, either do so by coming into the allotment shop or by emailing us on our usual email address scarcroftallotments@live.co.uk. If the committee knows how extensive crime is on the plots, they are able to put pressure on various groups to make reducing crime on the plots a priority.

You can make a difference to the level of crime on our plots by doing the following:

• don't leave any valuables in your sheds or hidden on your plots
• mark any tools you do leave on your plot so that they are less easy to sell on
• don't leave petrol on your plot as it can be used to set fire to sheds
• don't leave weedkiller on your plots as it can be used to vandalise other plots
• either leave your sheds and greenhouses unlocked or lock them with a very sturdy lock
• get to know your neighbours and challenge people you don't recognise (if you feel safe to do so).  Remember most paths on the sites are not public rights or way so people are trespassing if they are not going to visit a plot.
• always take your phone with you when you go to your plot so you can call the police if you see vandalism in action or call a friend to come an join you if you feel threatened
• make friends with your local dog walkers as they can be our eyes and ears early in the morning and later in the evening when fewer plot holders are around
• display the 'there are no valuables in this shed' sign on your shed - these are available free from the allotment shop
• visit your plot regularly so, if you are the victim of a crime you are able to give more accurate information as to when it happened

Here's hoping for a crime free season.