It is time for a review of our allotment self-management. Weaste Allotments has over 96 plots, four community facilitated areas (bees, chickens, orchard, shop), a community hut with toilets and infrastructure such as the internal roadway and boundary fencing to maintain. Who sets the standard? The site is owned by Salford Council Sport and Leisure division. Weaste Allotments leases it, and then rents individual areas to plot holders through our tenancy agreement, subject to Salford Council’s Allotment Rules and Regulations. Weaste is one of 17 self-managed Council-owned allotment sites in Salford which are required to manage and fund themselves.
Funding comes from the rent that the plot holder pays annually and fund-raising. This may be through grants or donations of cash, goods or services. It is a juggling act if you like of what is going to be the next priority on-going maintenance area against trying to improve or up-grade the facilities at the site to make it more inclusive. Allotment self-management requires a team of dedicated volunteers on the Committee who have to have a certain feline agility about them. Sudden bursts of speed and action when something unexpected happens as well as the stamina for the planned projects.
Self-Management Team
The Weaste Committee last met in 2019, before the pandemic. A chance to get together on a sunny Saturday in September 2022 to review what had happened since the last Annual General Meeting and the plans for changes in the short and long term was arranged. Invitations were circulated in the usual way on Notice Boards and in the Weaste Plot Holders Facebook Group. A number of seats were popped outside the fresh paintwork of the Community Hut. An outdoors meeting hoped to encourage more plot holders, some of whom are still nervous of meeting others (due to Covid – rather than a fear of folk!).
Due to the meeting being on a Sunday two of the Committee team were unable to attend as they have other volunteer commitments with Salford Food Parcels and Buile Hill Park Garden. apologies were read out and with just under 20% of members attending a quorum was confirmed for voting purposes. Usual agenda items were completed regarding the confirmation of the last AGM minutes, there were no matters arising, so the various officers commenced their reports.
Officer and Sub-committee Reports
The Treasurer confirmed that Community Bees were cash positive at the end of the year, from the balance of honey sales to plot holders versus the costs of maintaining the hives and up-keep. Community Chickens, Events and Orchard had all spent more than their income, but in each case this had been expected and accounted for. More details reported below.
Plot holders were reminded that when returning keys they would get a cheque for the deposit they had given. A cheque is only valid for six months from the date of issue so should be banked quickly. A PayPal option had started in the Community Shop to reduce the need for handling cash (social distancing measures).
Chair Report
The Chair confirmed that 16 plot holders have left over the two years. Two plot holders had passed away, and two have not felt well enough to maintain their plots. Others have moved away, not realised what looking after a plot entailed or could not keep the plot up due to changing commitments. The plots have been easily re-let and the waiting list continues to grow. There is a reported up-lift in the number of people being interested in plots UK-wide with a waiting list in Hyndburn reported in The Guardian to have increased by 300%!
Confirmation given that the previously reported lock-up shed leaks, flooding caused by a hidden drain, and bursting pipes had all been attended to by the Chair and Secretary. Ably assisted of course, by Buttercup who has adopted the Weaste Chair and does regular inspections of all plots.
In terms of maintenance mentioned in the last AGM, the contractors came on and concreted the manure and wood chip bays in the North West so both are now available at each end of the allotment site. More contractors cam in and work on the West internal road to try to stop slippage in the wet weather by improving the surface.
Community Bees and Chickens
The Secretary thanked the team and then read on behalf of the principal Allotment Bee Keeper. The team are losing one of their number in 2022. During the pandemic help was gratefully received from other bee keepers on the Weaste Allotment and some local apiarists. Extraction of honey is due to commence soon. Despite difficult weather it is hoped that there will be enough jars of honey for a paid fair-share basis for plot holders. The money goes to the up-keep of the bees including suits, equipment food, fencing and hive maintenance.
The chickens can not self-manage so a team of volunteers looks after them and their accounts! This year they needed new tarpaulin roof coverings, ropes, and repairs to the roof. A better system for recording feed used from shop supplies needs to be kept up. Also more feed has been used as the feeders have not been deterring rats; so new feeders are being looked at. Laying has been up and down due to interruptions to the group. Some fancy chickens were ‘adopted’ when their owners left the allotments. Good to look at but not the best layers. Part of the year they had been locked in due to Avian flu. Volunteers are desperately needed to ensure that the flock of 20 are looked after. Thanks given to everyone who has helped with the chickens in the last two years.
Community Orchard
A mulberry tree has been donated by a plot holder and five other trees will be replaced as they have died off. A plan has been drawn up by a plot holder who can create signs. The fruit is available to plot holders on a fair-share basis. The orchard will need strimming before events which so far one nearby plot holder has done. A pruning day will also be organised and other orchard related events are being looked at. It is a great space to get together.
Community Shop
The Community Shop lead thanked everyone who has been involved with manning the shop on Sunday mornings for sales, and during the week for arriving at short notice to help with deliveries. Confirmation given that compost free peat is being phased out and left in the local peat bogs. Careful reading of instructions on the packs is recommended as additives like pearlite are often required. Shelving and a ramp had been purchased from the net profit from the shop. The shelves have greatly improved the ability to see and get to products. The shops will close from now, until the start of Spring 2022. Usual arrangements to contact one of the team for anything in the meantime.
Community tools will continue to be made available subject to a small charge for use. They can only be used when the Secretary or Chair are on site and they are happy to show people how to use them. Please wear appropriate clothing or foot-wear for the tool i.e. steel toe caps for trimmer.
Social Events and Projects
A newsletters for plot holders was started in the last year to enable everyone to connect more. an electronic copy was emailed to plot holders and posted on the Facebook Group. Paper copies of each issue are being put in the Community Hut. Stories about plot life, hints and tips, are welcome. Information was given about the two community days at which prizes will be given for the growing competitions. Thanks given to everyone who turned up for the Tidy Up day in April, those that look after the flower beds near the hut and gates, give their time to help with community events and for painting the hut.
Up-dates were given on the projects being undertaken and the progress on grant applications to help fund them. The projects are to assist with up-grading areas of the site and to provide better accessibility to growing for all. See #BeEasyAccess Project/
Officer and Committee Member Election
Self-management is reliant on volunteers. The Committee is elected from the plot holders who wish to volunteer some time and skills to managing the site. This is called self-management. The NASLG has lots of information about different areas of allotment management to help those who self-manage. The Committee had 3 officer and five members. Plot holders were asked who may like to stand for the officer roles or as members of the committee to help it remain diverse and representative of all plot holders. Two women were voted in as the new members. One offering to assist with the technical/publicity skills and the other fund-raising.
So after a couple of hours of socially-distanced reporting and discussion everyone went off to their plots to enjoy lunch or get down to harvesting or planting for Winter.