2022 BHAS Annual General Meeting – Minutes, Chair’s & Treasurer’s Reports
The 2022 BHAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 24th September at the Communal Garden at Hertford Avenue.
A warm welcome to all the new members who have joined the Allotment Society over the past year. The Society is responsible for the day to day running of the allotments on behalf of Richmond Council and organises events such as the Open Day & Annual Show – as well as a host of other activities that support and benefit the allotment community. If you have any ideas about other events or activities that might be popular with other plot holders then please let us know.
I’d like to thank all the Committee and numerous other plot holder volunteers for their time and hard work over the past year. As a team we aim to keep the five East Sheen sites running as smoothly as we are able. We are always looking for fresh ideas and new people who can help us on our journey – so if you think that you might be able to contribute in any way – please let your site rep know. We would be very pleased to hear from you.
The BHAS remains in good financial standing and any ideas for improvements on the plots can be put forward to your site rep. Additionally, donations were made to four charities, each to receive £500.
If you are interested in volunteering for the society, please let us know as there remain a few open positions.
The agenda, minutes, chair’s report, and treasurer’s report can be accessed here:
Annual Show 2022 – the results
It was great to see so many of you at the Annual Show this year. We had lots of impressive entries into the vegetable, fruit, flower and baking categories despite the difficult growing conditions over the summer. We also enjoyed delicious cakes and savoury snacks along with a plant sale and learning more about bees. Take a look at all the winners below and a selection photos from the day.
Thanks to all the volunteers to helped set up and tidy away on the day in addition to everyone who baked cakes and donated plants. Thanks also to Helen Lawrence and Nadia Mackenzie for some of the photos below.
ANNUAL SHOW CATEGORY WINNERS
BHAS SOCIETY AWARDS
- Plot of the Year – Janet Lavender
- Best Newcomer’s Plot – Andrew and Melanie Hall
- Show Person of the Year (for most points scored in show) – Janet Lavender
| Class | First place | |
| VEGETABLES | ||
| 1 | Aubergines x 2 | John Padgett |
| 2 | Peppers x 3 | Janet Lavender |
| 3 | Chili peppers x 4 | No entries |
| 4 | Beetroot x 4 – with 8cm of tops | Pam Islip |
| 5 | French Beans x 6 – any colour, any type (keep stalks on) | Ronnie Bendall |
| 6 | Runner Bean x 6 (keep stalks on) | Helen Lawrence |
| 7 | Carrot x 4 – with 8cm carrot tops | Janet Lavender |
| 8 | Courgette x 4 | Pam Islip |
| 9 | Cucumber x 1 | Kate Humber |
| 10 | Garlic x 3 | John Padgett |
| 11 | Marrow x 1- no longer than 38 cm (15 inches) | Black / Armitage |
| 12 | Onions x 4 – outer skins only removed (leave 3 inches of stem) | Janet Lavender |
| 13 | Shallots x 6 | Harriet Graham |
| 14 | Potatoes x 4 | Terrance Farrar |
| 15 | Pumpkin x 1 | Richard Jones |
| 16 | Squash x 1 | No name |
| 17 | Sweetcorn x 2 (with outer leaves) | John Padgett |
| 18 | Beef tomato x 4 – with stalks | No entries |
| 19 | Cherry tomato x 6 – with stalks | Tally Foster |
| 20 | Medium tomato x 4 – with stalks | Andrew & Melanie Hall |
| 21 | Mixed vegetables – 1 each of 5 kinds (presentation up to you!) | Max Gold |
| 22 | Any vegetable x 1 (this is for any vegetable NOT in the above categories) | Janet Lavender |
| 23 | Biggest vegetable x 1 | Ronnie Bendall |
| 24 | Herbs in a jam jar – please write a list of the herbs you display and place with the jar | Pam Islip |
| FRUIT | ||
| 25 | Apples x 4 | Black / Armitage |
| 26 | Top fruit (pears, plums, quinces, etc.) any kind x 4 | Ronnie Bendall |
| 27 | Soft fruit, any kind x 10 (where possible leave stems) | Andrew & Melanie Hall |
| 28 | Any other fruit x4 | No entries |
| FLOWERS | ||
| 29 | Mixed flowers in a vase, arrange as you wish | No entries |
| 30 | A single variety of flowers in vase | Tally Foster |
| 31 | Dahlias x 6 stems, same variety | John Padgett |
| 32 | Largest diameter Sunflower Head x 1 | No entries |
| 33 | Tallest Sunflower plant inc. Head x 1 | No entries |
| CHILDREN | ||
| 34a | Aged up to 10 years. Mini garden on a seed tray – create your own miniature garden. | Miles Goodwin |
| 34b | Aged 11 – 18 years. Mini garden on a seed tray – create your own miniature garden. | No entries |
| 35a | Aged up to 10 years. Vegetable monster/pet – decorate and create using vegetables, fruit and/or herbs. | Ruari Milne |
| 35b | Aged 11 – 18 years. Vegetable monster/pet – decorate and create using vegetables, fruit and/or herbs. | No entries |
| COOKERY | ||
| 36 | A glass jar of homemade fruit jam, any kind | Diane Black |
| 37 | A Victoria Sponge Cake – your family’s favourite recipe | Kate & Stuart Humber |
| 38 | A glass jar of homemade chutney, any kind | Robert Ewing |
| MAKE US LAUGH | ||
| 41 | ‘Make us laugh’ category for the funniest or weirdest shaped Vegetable or Fruit – open to all ages. | Ronnie Bendall |
2021 BHAS Annual General Meeting – Minutes, Chair’s & Treasurer’s Reports
The 2021 BHAS Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 6 November 2021 at the Communal Garden at Hertford Avenue. After no AGM was held in 2020 and a delayed 2021 AGM, both due to COVID-19, it was wonderful to see many BHAS members and to address the business of the allotment society.
The BHAS remains in good financial standing and any ideas for improvements on the plots can be put forward to your site rep. Additionally, donations were made to four charities, each to receive £250.
Our sincere thanks to the committee members continuing in their positions and a big welcome to the newly elected committee members! The Allotment Society Committee are all volunteers and the Society’s principal concerns are the well-being of the allotments and promoting the interests of our members.
If you are interested in volunteering for the society, please let us know as there remain a few open positions.
The agenda, minutes, chair’s report, and treasurer’s report can be accessed here:
BHAS Annual Show 2021
On Sunday 12th September 2021 we held our first Annual Show for two years. It was brilliant to see so many plot holders return to show their produce and enjoy delicious cakes and tea. Here is a snapshot of the day, showing the excellent array of produce being judged.
Thank you to everyone who kindly volunteering their time setting up, judging, hosting the plant stall and raffle and baking delicious cakes.
We look forward to seeing you again next year.
Congratulations to all our show winners.
Cup winners:
Best Showperson – John Hynd
Best Plot – Dino Franz and Sarah Willard
Best newcomer’s plot – Cath Brooks and Ben Gothard (pictured above).
Show category winners:
| Class | 1st | |
| VEGETABLES | ||
| 1 | Aubergines x 2 | John Hynd |
| 2 | Peppers x 3 | John Hynd |
| 3 | Chili peppers x 4 | John Padgett |
| 4 | Beetroot x 4 – with 8cm of tops | Pam Islip |
| 5 | French Beans x 6 – any colour, any type (keep stalks on) | John Padgett |
| 6 | Runner Bean x 6 (keep stalks on) | Clara Molden |
| 7 | Carrot x 4 – with 8cm carrot tops | Diane Black |
| 8 | Courgette x 4 | Chris Lawrence |
| 9 | Cucumber x 1 | Clara Molden & Rob Ayward |
| 10 | Garlic x 3 | John & Carol Lyons |
| 11 | Marrow x 1 – no longer than 38 cm (15 inches) | – |
| 12 | Onions x 4 – outer skins only removed (leave 3 inches of stem) | – |
| 13 | Shallots x 6 | Harriet Graham |
| 14 | Potatoes x 4 | Diane Black |
| 15 | Pumpkin / Squash x 1 Joint First | Oliver Family & Fiona Heath |
| 16 | Sweetcorn x 2 (with outer leaves) | John Padgett |
| 17 | Beef tomato x 4 – with stalks | John Hynd |
| 18 | Cherry tomato x 6 – with stalks | John Padgett |
| 19 | Medium tomato x 4 – with stalks Joint First | Pam Islip & (no name) |
| 20 | Mixed vegetables – 1 each of 5 kinds (presentation up to you!) Joint First | Mark Gourley & John Hynd |
| 21 | Any vegetable x 1 (this is for any vegetable NOT in the above categories) | Yvonne Langley |
| 22 | Biggest vegetable x 1 | Oliver Family |
| 23 | Herbs in a jam jar – please write a list of the herbs you display and place with the jar | Harriet Graham |
| FRUIT | ||
| 24 | Apples x 4 | Diane Black |
| 25 | Top fruit (pears, plums, quinces, etc.) any kind x 4 | – |
| 26 | Soft fruit, any kind x 10 (where possible leave stems) | John Padgett |
| 27 | Any other fruit | Gary Hazel |
| FLOWERS | ||
| 28 | Mixed flowers in a vase, arrange as you wish | Harriet Graham |
| 29 | A single variety of flowers in vase | Clara Molden |
| 30 | Dahlias x 6 stems, same variety | John Hynd |
| 31 | Largest diameter Sunflower Head x 1 | John Padgett |
| 32 | Tallest Sunflower plant inc. Head x 1 | Charlie Armour |
| CHILDREN | ||
| 34a | Aged up to 10 years. Mini garden on a seed tray – create your own miniature garden. | Myles Goodwin |
| 34b | Aged 11 – 18 years. Mini garden on a seed tray – create your own miniature garden. | – |
| 35a | Aged up to 10 years. Vegetable monster/pet – decorate and create using vegetables, fruit and/or herbs. | Myles Goodwin |
| 35b | Aged 11 – 18 years. Vegetable monster/pet – decorate and create using vegetables, fruit and/or herbs. | Oliver Goodwin |
| COOKERY | ||
| 36 | A glass jar of homemade fruit jam, any kind | Alastair Kennedy |
| 37 | A Victoria Sponge Cake – your family’s favourite recipe | Diane Black |
| 38 | A glass jar of homemade chutney, any kind | Pam Islip |
| MAKE US LAUGH | ||
| 41 | ‘Make us laugh’ category for the funniest or weirdest shaped Vegetable or Fruit – open to all ages. | Oliver Family |
Tool Sharpening: 29 May 2021 at 10am
Mark your calendars! The Surrey Sharpeners will be at the Hertford Avenue Allotment site on Saturday, 29th May from 10am.
Please do bring along any tools you need sharpening.
Price list is as below.
Event Survey: Planning for BHAS events in 2021
As mentioned the April 2021 newsletter, later this year we are considering holding in-person events for the AGM and Annual Show. It would be really helpful if you could let us know whether you would consider attending these events, by answering the following questions in a survey we have put together, so we can plan accordingly.
Many thanks for your help with this.
Pick up your 2021 Sunflower Competition seeds at the Trading Shed
Following last year’s very competitive sunflower competition, BHAS is again offering its members free sunflower seeds at the trading shed for spring planting. Pick up a pack of seeds (one pack per BHAS plotholder) at the trading shed and start to prepare your garden for some bee-friendly competition!
The variety available this year is Giant Sunflower Titan.
The seeds will be at the trading shed starting Saturday, 20 March while supplies last.
How to enter
Sunflowers will form two new categories in the Annual Show in September and your sunflower can be entered into the show along with the other categories; if the show is not able to go forward, we will arrange an online entry form like we did last year – so the sunflower competition will go forward!
Pick up a packet of seeds or use your own; plant them when you’re ready.
Growing instructions
Giant Sunflower Titan.
One of the tallest-growing and easily the biggest-headed and seeded variety available to gardeners. Perfect for impressing your neighbors and winning competitions. The plants will need support reaching up to 12ft with large yellow flower heads plants can reaching 18-24″ across! The seeds are large and ideal for consumption or leaving for over-winter birds. Annual.
Cultiviation Advice Giant Sunflower Titan
- Days To Germination: 14-21 days Optimum Soil Temp. for Germination: 68F-86F Planting Depth: 1/4 inch Spacing, Seed: 4-6 inch Spacing, Plant: 24-36 inches Plant Height: 10-14 ft inches Light: Full Sun
- Seeds can be started indoors 3 to 4 weeks before last spring frost. Or direct-sow seeds outside after all danger of frost has passed to a depth of 1/4 inch. Can be sown as late as 100 days before last frost.
- When seedlings are 2 to 3 inches high, thin to individual pots. Replant thinned plants.
- Steadily harden off before planting out after all danger of frost has passed.
- These will require staking / support in all but the most sheltered locations.
Source: Premier Seeds Direct
Competition rules
Categories & guidance on how to measure
1. Biggest sunflower head
Measure the diameter of the seed head. The flower petals should not be included. Heads should be cut from the stock (unless also entering the same plant into the tallest sunflower category).
2. Tallest sunflower plant
Measured from the base of the stem (not including the roots) to the top of the head. The head can be extended to measure the full height of the plant. We ask that gardeners cut off the roots to make it easier to measure the stem. Please also remove leaves from the stalk.
Photos of your sunflower journey
Please do send us any photos you have of your sunflowers (from seed to competition-winning size!) as we would like to share the journey on social media or on the website. Photos can be sent to bhas.social.news@gmail.com.
Thank you and good luck!
Enter the 2020 Sunflower Competition
Unfortunately, this year the Annual Show in September will not go ahead due to Covid-19 restrictions but we are excited to share more details about a virtual Sunflower Competition. We’ve seen some amazing sunflowers growing on plots across the allotment sites and we can’t wait to see your entries!
Competition rules
Categories & guidance on how to measure
1. Biggest sunflower head
Measure the diameter of the seed head. The flower petals should not be included.
2. Tallest sunflower plant
Measured from the base of the stem (not including the roots) to the top of the head. The head can be extended to measure the full height of the plant.
How to Enter
Entries are open from now until the 30th September 2020. Please enter your details using this online form. Competition open to East Sheen allotment plot holders only.
Please submit one entry for each individual sunflower you wish to enter in the competition. For instance, if you have two sunflowers you wish to enter (one for height and another biggest sunflower head), please submit the form twice. It is possible to enter the same sunflower in both categories.
Please self-measure your sunflowers in millimetres (mm).
Once a submission is received, all measurements will be verified by a volunteer judge to confirm measurements.
ENTER HERE
(entry closed on 1 October 2020)
Photos of entries
Please do send us any photos you have of your sunflowers as we would like to share these in the next newsletter and on the website (not a requirement to enter the competition).
Photos can be sent to bhas.social.news@gmail.com.
Thank you and good luck!
Review: Fungi talk from Pam Islip (Priory)
In October fellow plot holder and amateur mycologist Pam Islip gave us a talk on fungi at All Saints Church in East Sheen. It was well attended and enjoyed by all. Halina Kessler (committee Events Organiser) has written a few words about the talk.
“Over thirty people came out on a chilly Autumn evening to hear Pam Islip’s great talk about Fungi. Pam is a knowledgeable amateur mycologist and she brought with her a vast array of fungi foraged that very morning from Surrey. There were excellent examples on display of everything from poisonous fungi to the very edible. Pam explained their role as agents of decay in our compost bins and also as the symbiotic promoter of growth offered by mycorrhizal fungi to our roses and other plants. There is much to learn about fungi and how they can benefit our allotments.
There was also a lot of discussion about foraging and Pam reminded us of the expression: ‘All fungi are edible. Some fungi are only edible once…’ (Terry Pratchett). Some of us might now think twice before rashly frying up our finds!
If anyone has any suggestions for talks or presentations we could put on for our members, please do let us know hello@thefoldline.com”
BHAS Allotment Society 