AN UPDATE ON CONTAMINATED MANURE PROBLEMS

Over the past few years, many allotment sites across the city suffered with contaminated manure from their suppliers. Luckily for us, we appear to have been spared this on our site, however, I feel that we still need to be aware of the problem and have attached the information leaflet below for you to take a look at.

contaminated manure alert.pdf

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                         "Race For Life"

                Allotmenteers spied at Redditch & the NEC!

AFTER THE SNOW - Spring is around the Corner!

Well - thank goodness winter and all the snow it bought with it has finally disappeared! A few of the old faithful carried on regardless - even Andy & Penny were there during the snow preparing for their 2nd shed to be erected... but at last, the birds are singing and the sun is breaking through that grey sky... unfortunately it also brings out a few pests that continue to 'snoop' around our site and take what they fancy, such as Johns boots - just fit for kicking the culprits if they're found.

So - happy digging and planting from here on

Condolences

Our thoughts go out to Keith Richards whose wife recently passed away - thinking of you during this sad time. 

From all your friends at Walkes Heath. 

FORUMS HAVE ARRIVED!

At last we have figured out how to get the Forums up and running - so now it's over to you to add to them. Let us know if there's anything you'd like added and we'll pop it on there - keep it clean!

Dave's Giant Pumpkin!

Would like to have measured this against Betty's winning one at Walsall Road Allotments!

LINKS

Don't forget to check out the many Links to other interesting websites - the latest being Oldford Farm Allotments in Birmingham. Let us know if you'd like us to add you to our website listings.

Members Page

At last we now have a page where you can join the website and become a member.  You can upload your best mugshot of yourself and make comments on photo's, videos or just chat amongst each other. We would encourage as many members of the Allotment as possible to come and join us on here. The Guestbook is good, but this way we can all chat along and abuse each other more freely!

We already have members from afar who follow the website with interest - Betty from Walsall Road Allotments, and Trev in Australia. We discovered that Betty won not only first, but second and third prize for the biggest pumpkin on their allotments - I can honestly say that Dave Cato's would have been a hard one to beat! As for Australia, there are many interesting tips to come from that part of the world.

So come on, be brave and get on here and be active on this site, and pass the word around to others, friends, family etc, who are more than welcome to add their comments to our pages.

2008

October

What a glorious day Saturday, the 11th was. Bit by bit, the regulars started to turn up. Sprout and Cliff were already there by 10.30am. Jean came along not long after with the camera with some good shots on offer, however her batteries were flat (much to Sprouts delight!) Dave had his 'real' camera at hand to take some shots of him sitting proudly with his giant Pumpkin! (Email the photo to me Dave at jmrace2@yahoo.com.au).

Then Frank rolled up, followed by John & Joyce and Ian. Bob was followed in by Sharon and Ron and his wife (who was promptly chased by her brother-in law-in the car down the driveway...! We noticed the big grin on your face Frank!) A few others were there and plenty of good photo's could have been captured with all the many group chats that were going on (where were you Lisa??) This is typical of a really good day on the allotments. You can either keep to yourself (hide in the shed when you see someone heading your way!) or join in with the chat and laughter - there's plenty of it at Walkers Heath. We really are lucky to have such a good mix of people here that get on.

 Forecast is good for tomorrow and another excuse to head off back there with the flask and a sandwich.

Don't forget - rents are being collected tomorrow (Sunday, 12th) for the 2nd week and thereafter. The waiting list will be filtered through shortly as a few plots have been given up recently, but don't forget - allotments are popular, so if you're keen, come along and have a chat with us.

George Foster

      In early October the inquest into the tragic death of George, who was a member of Walkers Heath Allotments for many years, was held and concluded that his death was an accident after being hit by a bus whilst crossing the road after working on his plot in late January this year.

George is still mentioned often in conversation on the site and is fondly remembered by all.

September

What WAS that glow in the sky over the weekend (20th)? Could it have been the sun accompanied by a season called Summer that seemed to have gone missing for 6 months and then reappeared in the last few days?? Whatever, it did mean that there was more life on the allotments than of late. With all the rain we have had lately, there didn't seem to have been so many people around - however, with a good forecast at the weekend, it was lovely to turn up and see quite a few people (where were you Dave?) tending to their veggies and having a dig ready for Winter/Spring.

We were also able to grab some photo's of Sue & Charlie, Bob, Jim & Stuart - there are still a few more people to catch when they least expect the camera to appear! 

Now is a time for clearing plots, lifting the last of those summer veggies, etc, and then  digging and preparing for the winter crops or clearing ready for planting next spring.

Make the most of the mild days that we have and don't forget to put in those bulbs if you're planting for Spring - (Dave & Sprout take note!!)

Spring/Summer 2008

During 2008 Walkers Heath Allotments has seen many changes - new people to the site, some regulars changing plots, and many people adding their name to the waiting list. One of the more noticable things seemed to be some of the men planting flowers on their plots! Welcome to the influence of ladies on allotments!

Although like all allotments, most plotholders grow quite a variety of veggies on their plots, we have quite a few ladies at Walkers Heath who have taken to planting flowers and shrubs as well as veggies. So it's nice this year to see that the die hard men have followed suit and have planted lots of "pretty flowers" around their greenhouses or at the end of their plots - well done Dave and Sprout! May the trend continue and the force be with you!

Spring like last year came and went with some warmth and sunshine. Then along came July, August and now, September - with it's best friend: The Rain! We have been quite lucky and not suffered too much damage, although the weekends deluge of rain made the driveway around the site look like a river.  Hopefully next year will bring plenty of sunshine and a good growing season!

More reports on crops through the year and how they have faired coming shortly.

GARDNER'S WEEKEND - KINGS HEATH PARK

Lisa (Secretary) did a great job over the weekend 'manning' the stand for the site in the Allotments Tent.   Pictures of 'Before' and 'After' from John & Joyce's plot were put on the board to give an idea of what a plot can look like after all the hard work, effort and dedication that's put in over time.

(Image to follow)

There was a good turnout over the weekend with many people checking out the board, and some of the site members popping in to say Hi. The veggie displays, as always, were outstanding.

2007 Awards 

Secretary of the Year went to Lisa

Most Improved Site

Summer 2007 - BBC Breakfast Show

In the very early hours of July 2007 the BEEB came along to talk to us about women on allotments and how they are bringing more gardens and flowers onto allotments. First you see us preparing for the interview...

... and then we went live to air!

 Farewell to George

George Foster 

George Foster was a dedicated member of the allotments and had worked 2 Plots for many years. George would have perhaps been in his late 50's when he took on those Plots. He walked daily for over 30 years to the Allotment where he may not have actually grown very much, but was always digging or carting the wheelbarrow around.

George was strong and very fit for his age - the gold rings and gold chain around his neck made you wonder if he'd lived a bit in his day. He'd always be wearing the same navy jacket and that cap - even in summer. He was hard of hearing and at Committee meetings he would often nod his head in agreement followed by a loud "Eh??" every couple of minutes...

The 27th January 2008 was a very mild day, the Committee had a meeting, George went off home for lunch and the others got stuck into digging and working out the plan of attack for this years planting. John and Joyce (Chairman and Treasurer) were busily digging out an area for a Pond, and Lisa (Secretary) later joined them for a cuppa and a chat. Dave was busy in the background digging trenches ready for his spuds to go in, and later - just as we were all tiring and packing up for the day, George returned for another go and started loading leaves into the wheelbarrow.  He came along to see how the Pond was going and went back to his Plot nearest the gate. By the end of the day, there was only Jean and George left. As Jean drove around slowly passed his plot on the way out, she shouted farewell to him.. but of course, he couldn't hear her - she watched as he scooped away at those leaves and tipped them into the wheelbarrow - in a world of his own... but this was his world.

Late the next day, we heard there had been an accident around 11am on a busy road 2 minutes away from the Allotment - an elderly man had been hit by a bus and killed.

It was George...  he must have been on his way, as usual, to the place he loved most. He will be missed by all...                           

Here is a snip from a feature article that the Birmingham Post did on George (and Lisa) in 2007. I will try and obtain more and add to this page.