Water will be turned back on w/c 18 March
The facilities team from the Council will be turning the mains water supply back on week commencing 18 March 2019. Please let us know if you see any leaking stand pipes so they can be reported and fixed.
Richmond Council decides to ban allotment bonfires from 30 April 2019
At the cabinet meeting on Thursday, 14 February 2019, Richmond Council decided that all bonfires on allotments will be banned from 30 April 2019. The Borough of Richmond Allotments Group (BRAG) will be making a submission through official channels to have this decision reviewed and BHAS Allotments has representation in BRAG.
An allotment bonfire ban will impact plotholders who would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove non-compostable material from the allotments, including those who are elderly, do not own cars or live in flats. We would like to ask our East Sheen Allotment plotholders to contact their councillors if they do not agree with this decision. Councillors for each area can be found by going to the Council website.
There is also a petition set up by a plotholder on the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRuT) website enabling individuals to register their support for overturning the ban. The more who sign up to this, the stronger the case will be to review the decision. Follow this link to access the petition.
Save the date for 2019 Open Day – 12 May
Save the date
Mark your calendars for the 2019 BHAS Open Day for 12 May from 2-5pm. Our Open Day is confirmed and we’ve love for you to join us for the afternoon. Information about the day can be found on the Events page – so stay tuned as plans develop.
What is Open Day?
Open Day is a way for our community to wander around the allotments and get inspiration for your own plot or garden as well as socialise with our allotment community. Activities for kids are in the works, so it’s a great family afternoon.
We will be selling afternoon teas so come hungry!
Volunteer
In preparation for the day, you can also help the BHAS Allotment Society by:
- planting seeds to sell at the plant sale, and
- volunteering to help on the day.
If you are interested in lending a hand, please contact us!
Hope to see you there.
At Plot…36 with Pam Islip
Each month we are getting to know our allotment neighbours a bit better. For October, we have been chatting to Pam Islip who is at plot 36 at the Priory allotment site.
How long have you had an allotment in East Sheen?
For about 25 years.
What jobs have you been doing on the allotment this month?
Still harvesting tomatoes, weeding, watering, general tidying up, cutting the grass, shortly be sowing broad beans* (Aquadulce Claudia).
What crop has done well this year?
Tomatoes, courgettes, mixed lettuce, French beans (green, yellow and purple), aubergines.
What are you planning to grow next season?
Far too much but I’m very popular with my neighbours!
What’s your favourite recipe to make with your harvest?
Griddled Courgette with Tzatziki
For the courgette
- Slice courgette lengthways about ½cm
- Rub olive oil onto both sides
- Place onto hot griddle pan (makes nice brown stripes if you press it down occasionally) for about 4 mins
- Turn and do the same for the other side
Meanwhile
For the tzatziki
- Grate a small cucumber into a clean tea towel
- Squeeze until lots of liquid removed
- Place in a bowl and add 2 crushed garlic cloves, salt, lots of thinly sliced mint leaves and Greek yoghourt. Add it bit by bit until you get the consistency you want.
And given how many tomatoes I grew this year, I always serve with tomatoes.
In addition to gardening of course, do you have any other hobbies or skills?
Hiking, bird watching, opera, fungi, art exhibitions, British Museum/British Library/V&A exhibitions and anyone who knows me will tell you I’m always taking exotic adventure holidays as I love travelling.
*Here is my tip for growing broad beans
I don’t spray my crops as there’s really no need with careful management. When the black fly appear (as they most certainly will) there’s no need to pinch out the tops. Every couple of days (or every day if you can) use the hose and your finger tips to squish the black fly and wash them off. After a short time, they will fail to reappear and because you’ve been watering well, your beans will have benefitted and will grow high.
Our thanks to Pam for taking the time to answer our questions this month and provide a look into her allotment world. If you’d like to be interviewed for next month’s newsletter, please contact us!
Garlic varieties for sale at Trading Shed
Three varieties of garlic are expected to arrive at the Trading Shed this week; they will be available for £1.30 per bulb, so please stop by during open hours to pick up your garlic bulbs for planting.
The Trading Shed is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am – 12:00pm until 16th December and is one of the many benefits of being a BHAS members. Joining BHAS is easy and only costs £10 for the year.
Updated Bonfire Rules from September 2018
Please be aware that Richmond Council has recently updated its Allotment Terms and Conditions around bonfires as of September 2018. BHAS has updated our FAQs to reflect this update on our site.
For reference, the excerpt around bonfires in the Terms and Conditions now reads:
“Bonfires are only permitted between 16 September and 30 April during daylight hours, Monday to Saturday.
Bonfires can only be used under the following conditions:
- Only for burning plant matter that cannot be composted (no other materials to be burnt)
- Nuisance must not be caused to nearby tenants, residents, and road or rail users
- Fires must not be left unattended
- Suitable means must be at hand to control and extinguish the fire at any time
- Fires must be extinguished before leaving site
- Any fire must be extinguished immediately upon request of a council officer
Any plot holder contravening these conditions will be dealt with via the termination policy.”
At Plot…51 with Ronnie Bendall
Each month we are getting to know our allotment neighbours a bit better. For September, we have been chatting to Caroline (Ronnie) Bendall and is at plot 51 (also known as Area 51!) at the Hertford Avenue allotment site.
How long have you had an allotment in East Sheen?
I was first shown the plot, commonly known as Area 51, in January 2017. I was immediately in love with the uniqueness of this space between the public path and Beverley Brook. As Susan showed me round she explained that it was a big plot that needed a lot of work. Was I sure, as some other smaller plots would be available shortly? I was sure. Having worked two previous allotments as I helper I was keen to have one of my own and this was really the one!
What jobs have you been doing on the allotment this month?
We have been on holiday for two weeks and I came back delighted that beans, cucumbers, raspberries, courgettes, beets, salads and potatoes are still in full production. Now I am tidying up and making plans for autumn and next year. Meanwhile my husband Austin is busy making some more rustic seating from logs and discarded planks. This is part of the fun of an allotment and apart from the thrill of growing and harvesting ones own produce, the best part is getting to know the many friends who share a love of this special site. Open Day and two get togethers are also on this month’s calendar for us.
What crop has done well this year?
In the spring we were happy to see the beautiful blossom on the large quince tree. It is laden with fruit now and has me searching for recipes. My Japanese Wineberry has taken off and received many questions from passers by on the footpath. So many crops seemed to love the hot summer we have had.
What are you planning to grow next season?
I am hoping to try out some more unusual veggies and maybe a kiwi fruit. I am making a decorative herb and flower bed and have to work on that as well as training two little apple trees I helped graft while I volunteered at Fulham Palace garden.
What’s your favourite recipe to make with your harvest?
That is a hard one as I love cooking. I make an easy pesto with the strong rocket I grew from seeds brought back from our son’s garden in Slovenia. There are many versions of pesto but it is such an easy and delicious thing to have in the fridge. Mine is made with: rocket, parmesan, pine nuts and garlic (also from the allotment). Put all in a food processer with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
In addition to gardening of course, do you have any other hobbies or skills?
I once had a catering business and enjoy cooking. After running my own specialist stationery and gift shop for many years I studied paper making at Morley College. I would like to try plant fibres from the plot to make some stationery. I love taking photos, fruit, flowers and veggies, and sheds and benches, tend to feature quite a lot!
Our thanks to Ronnie for taking the time to answer our questions this month and provide a look into her allotment world. If you’d like to be interviewed for next month’s newsletter, please contact us!