---

Dear plot-holders,

As the first daffodils appear to brighten up the site may we wish you all a wonderfully fruitful year.

NFAS PLOT CHARGES 2016-2017:

As agreed at last year’s AGM there will be NO increase in rents this year. Rent is set at £8.45 per pole and water at £2.30 per pole.  Compulsory Society Membership per tenant also remains at £10 per year.

Plot Charges:

10 poles will be £107.50 ground rent/water + £10 membership = £117.50

5 poles will be £53.75 ground rent/water + £10 membership = £63.75

Rent can be paid by cheque, cash or by direct bank transfer (BACS). Our bank details will be on the invoices for those wishing to make direct payment.  If you prefer to pay by cheque or cash then Jane Healy (the Treasurer) will be in the Site Office every Sunday from 2nd April 2017 through to 14th May 2017 from mid-day until 2.00 pm.  If you miss her in the Site Office then you can catch up with her on her plots on P-field. Plot charges must be paid in full by 14th May 2017, failure to pay your rent will be treated as self-termination.

PLOT NUMBERING:

The Police and Fire Services have advised that all plots should be numbered.  You can paint your plot number on your shed or collect a wooden board and stake (available at the Trading Hut – free).  Your invoice will have your plot number on it, but maps will also be put on the gate Notice Boards so that you can check what number your plot is.

CHILDREN ON SITE:

Please be reminded that the site is not a playground. Everyone is happy to see children on site, but they must be accompanied at all times, and must not go onto other plots, or into sheds. Games which involve running around the fields are not permitted – please use the playing fields next to P field for this sort of play. Failure to control children may lead to an official warning about the plot-holder’s tenancy.

DOGS ON SITE:

The Committee have received a number of complaints about dogs fouling on plots; unless you actually see a dog fouling on your plot it is impossible to identify the source (we do have several other four legged visitors, foxes and cats, every day!). Members who bring their dogs on site please be vigilant about clearing up after your pet (and be aware that not everyone on site is dog friendly), your dog should be kept under control and on your own plot if you wish to bring it on site.  Would plot holders please not take matters into their own hands over issues concerning other people’s pets – please come to the Committee if you are experiencing problems.

FIRE SAFETY:

Following a number of tragic deaths in allotment sheds, the Fire Officer requires all large gas canisters to be removed from allotment sheds immediately. Failure to do this will result in termination of a plot-holder’s lease. Here is a link to the Fire Officer’s talk to the Barnet Federation of Allotment Societies: http://preview.tinyurl.com/gnub4c3

 SITE SAFETY:

On another sad note most of you will all have heard the terrible news about an elderly lady being murdered on the Colindale Allotment Site.  The circumstances surrounding this tragedy are not fully known at this time but a man has been arrested and charged with murder.  We have been advised to pass onto members the need to be vigilant whilst on site and to always notify someone you know when you are heading to the allotments.  This is not always easy to do, especially for those of us who live alone, but in the interests of personal safety please check with neighbouring plot holders when they will be around and time your visits to coincide with theirs so that you are not alone on site.

Please remember to lock the gates after you at all times – gates should not be left open for friends who may be coming along later, or any other reason.

In the case of an emergency you will need to be able to give our full address to any of the Emergency Services so please make a note of our address and postcode and have it somewhere handy:

Legion Way, North Finchley London N12 0QF   (or Christchurch Close for emergency access to P Field)

WEBSITE and FACEBOOK PAGE:

As most of you know, we do have a Website

https://glebelandsallotments.org/

and a Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/groups/nfasglebelandsallotments/

(If these links don’t work, please copy and paste them into your browser, the addresses are correct).

All members are encouraged to check the Website for regular updates and if you are on Facebook then please join us. The Facebook page is just a fun way of sharing photographs and site news, and of course, you can join the group without having to commit to any intrusion into your personal life.

The Website has a useful article about harvesting rainwater and how to water sparingly without damaging your crops and all members are advised to read it – let’s make 2017 the year we REDUCE our ever-increasing water bill!

SITE MACHINERY:

All members are reminded that you may borrow any of the equipment in the Trading Hut for the purpose of maintaining your plot.  No charge is made but we do ask that if you are borrowing our equipment you take a couple of minutes to mow all the paths around your plot, remembering that all plot holders are responsible for maintaining their own Southern footpath.  If you would like to borrow equipment please contact the NFAS e-mail address: mailto:northfinchleyallotmentsociety@gmail.com(to pre-book) or look for any of the following members who have keys to the Trading Hut:

E Field: 

Lee Chesters (E97a, E95b)

Agi Wilton (E37, E38)

P Field:

Jane Healy (P54, P55)

Pamela Marre (P23a) – until mid – May only.

Tom McGovern (P6a, P7)

Peter Simpson (P56)

Alice Dickens (P1)

Graham Street (P19)

 

VOLUNTEERING:

The Committee is made up entirely of volunteers, people who freely give up their time in order for all of us to enjoy the benefits of working our allotments.  As with all voluntary organisations we are always looking for more people to join us, but the truth is that unless more plot holders are willing to come forward there is a real risk that the site may not be able to continue in its current form.  If you are able to spare just a couple of hours a month then please do volunteer. If you do think you would like to join the Committee, or have any concerns that you wish to raise with them please find below a list of all current members – we all very approachable and welcome the opportunity to get to know everyone on site.

Chair: Alice Dickens

Treasurer (and acting Secretary from April 1st): Jane Healy

Secretary until March 31st: Pamela Marre

Members on E Field:

Lee Chesters

Carol Menashy (until March 31st)

Roddy Stylianou

Members on P Field:

Noel Callinan

Peter James

Tom McGovern

John O’Reilly

Graham Street

 

THANK YOU’S

Finally, the Committee would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Peter Simpson and Tom McGovern for all the work they have put into tidying up P-field this winter.  The field looks great for the start of the new season! We would also like to say a special thank you to all the retiring members of the committee, especially to Peter Simpson for all the years of tireless effort  he has put into improving conditions on both fields,  to Carol Menashy for all the years she has spent on the Committee and to Pamela Marre, who has enthusiastically served as our Membership Secretary this year.  We hope Pamela has a great time in Germany this year and look forward to her return in 2018.