Guestbook

He was Chancellor !

Hi Andy

We had a great time at the quiz last - thanks for inviting us. You worked really hard, so try to put your feet up this weekend! See you Thursday with the pics.
Thanks again
Jan & Dave Walsall Rd Allotments

I want to thank Andy for all his hard work in putting on a very enjoyable quiz last night. Even though our team from Walsall Rd Allotments struggled a bit against the superior knowledge of the other teams we had a really good night.
Thanks again Andy, and when's the next one?
Betty
www.growit.ik.com

Linda, thanks for your kind words. It is only with the help of an active committee and the contribution of our plot holders that we manage to maintain the appearence of our site. It is always good to read comments like yours as it makes it all worthwhile.

Best wishes

I have just stumbled on your website. I used to work at the shops along Thornbridge avenue, so to see such a wonderfully cared for allotment is a treasure. It seems to me that alot of care has gone into your allotments and this is reflected in your web site. Congratulations. PS my interest in allotments has been raised since finding that my great grandfather organised an allotment in the area of Smith Street, Birmingham in the 1920s.

Just to wish you the best for your art exhibition and hope you raise some dosh for your charities.
Might see you at the NEC Live show?
Cheers, keep up the good work!
Chris Cyprus (the allotment artist) www.allotmentart.com

Miriam

Many thanks for your kind words. If you are passing one weekend, why not pop in and have a cuppa with our members.

Just looking at your website, makes you realise what a lot of hard work and effect from like minded people can achieve

Keep up the good work. Your website really is a credit to your allotment site

I have an allotment in Sandwell, the site is doing well.

Yours Miriam Abbott

Hi

I am an Extended Schools Coordinator based on the Perry Beeches campus. We would like to work with the allotments together. Perry Beeches Infants is just about to set up a sensory garden. Please contact me on the email address provided, if you are interested.
Thanks

Nice to meet Andy and friend at The Health and Safety Workshop today. Blimey that curry sounded good. Nice site . Pauline and Millie at Oldford Farm Allotments, Perry Barr.

Hi Folks

Good news! The Lord Mayor's Office have confirmed that the Lord Mayor and his wife will be attending Thornbridge Allotments at 1200 hours on Saturday 15th March 2008 to officially open the 'Community Room' and new greenhouse.

We would like to invite as many people as possible to this event in order to raise the profile of our site which is at the centre of our local community. In attendance will be our adopted charities, 'The Air Ambulance' and 'First Responders' for whom we have raised in excess of £2000 during the past twelve months through our open days which include Summer and Christmas Fayres.

Thornbridge Allotments are one of Birmingham City Council's 'Self Managed' sites dedicated to providing our plot holders and the local community with a friendly and hospitable focus where people can meet and talk together in a comfortable environment. The new room and greenhouse will enhance this feeling as we strive to further develop our site for the benefit of local people.

May I, on behalf of our committee invite you to attend this event.

Thank you to Andy for his wonderful curry. There was such a variety I didn't know where to start. We enjoyed it very much. Thank you for all your hard work. Looking forward to the new greenhouse.

Many thanks for all you good people that turned up on Saturday 16th February for the Curry Night. It turned out to be a fabulous evening with many of our new plot holders meeting some of our more established bretheren. I hope you enjoyed the food but I am sure you did because there none was leftover! I am now looking forward to meeting the Lord Mayor at 1200pm on the 8th March where he will be officially opening our 'Community Room'.

Andy, that curry was superb. You certainly excelled yerself this time matey.

Hi,

We are organising a Site Celebration Day on Saturday 5th July from 11am to 2pm, and are inviting local community groups and organisations to publicise themselves via our event. Our aim is to show our visitors what is available within the local community for people to participate in.

If you would like more information on the event, or feel that you would like to take part, please contact Maureen Bowyer on maureenbowyer@hotmail.com






Regards

Maureen Bowyer

The price of the tickets for the forthcoming Curry Night on 16th February are £2.50. Bring your own refreshments. The curry will be vegetarian but there will be other meat dishes to accompany it for those people with sharp teeth.

Leslie, I think that it would be a good idea to include a calendar of events on the site accessed by another link. this would enable viewers to look at the forthcoming year in a glance. What do you think?

I do miss the comradeship of Thornbridge and the various fund raising functions that you have each year. but to be really truthfull I suppose the thing that I miss most is mooching round the site shop to see what new gadgets there are to buy. Again all the best and next time Pat and I are up in Brum seeing the kids we will pop in and have a cuppa with you.
Dave Fletcher @ Holmer Allotments

Dave, thanks for the toast! We at Thornbridge would all like to wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. There were quite a number of plotholders on our site today digging in the excellent weather we are currently having in Great Barr. We too hope that 2008 will be an improvement on last year. In fact, we were only taling about such a theme today. You would be pleased to see how our site is prospering with fully let plots and an excellent comarardary amongst everyone on site. We hjave finally finished the 'Community Room' and will be having some smashing events in the coming months. If you are every in the area drop in and visit us.

Best Wishes

To all on Thornbridge Avenue Allotments my I wish you all a Happy New Year and here's to a fabulous growing season in 2008 ( am just raising my glass of sherry in a toast)
Dave Fletcher. Plot 25a Holmer Allotments, Hereford

Andy, Thank you for your kind comments in our Guest Book. We enjoyed your Christmas Fayre very much and it's given us a few ideas for one of our own, maybe next year. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a good Growing
Season next year.
ps - The cake was lovely, we ate it at our December committee meeting!
Betty
Walsall Road Allotments
www.growit.ik.com

Thank you to everyone who contributed to make our Christmas Fayre an outstanding success! For all those that helped prior to and on the day there is special thanks and for those who attended, I hope you all had a great time.

I thought that the site looked wonderful which goes down to all the hard work you plot holders put in over recent weeks and the new 'Community Rom' was decked out in real spledour. We all now have a comfortable place to sit down and relax during our visits to the site but we aim to continue to make improvements to make your visits even more enjoyable.

I know that we have raised in excess of £500 so far and with the raffle money yet to be finalised we hope for an even bigger total. It is planned to draw the raffle at 12.00pm on Sunday 16th December where there will be refreshments for all those attending. So come along on this day to join in the fun and wish your fellow plot holders a very Merry Christmas.

Thank you very much for the beautiful Dundee fruit cake I won in the Guess the Weight of the Cake competition at your Fair yesterday. I had a lovely surprise when Dave phoned me to tell me I'd won, thanks again.
Betty
Walsall Road Allotments
www.growit.ik.com

YEs, YES, YES! The 'Community Room' is finally finished. It looks magnificent and I must say a big thank you to all those who have brought this situation to fruition. Special thanks to Gill, Phil and Lesley for their stirling work with the curtains which show the room off in all its glory.

It's first offical function will be on Sunday 16th December at 12.00pm when the Christmas Raffle will be drawn. All plot holders are welcome together with any communioty member who would like to witness this prestigious event.

In January 2008 (date to be fixed) we will hold an official opening ceremony for the room when we will hold a little function to mark this special occasion. Watch this space for your diary.

Once again, many thanks to all those that have contributed to this new facility which will provide plot holders and members of our local community with an exciting new venue to hold that special little occasion.

Well Christmas is nearly here and preperations on well under way for the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 1st December. Santa has informed us that he will be making an early visit to make sure that all children will get the presents they want so come and meet him in his wonderful Santa's Grotto.

The festivities continue in the 'Community Room' where visitors wiill be served with Home Made Refreshments and if you're really peckish there will be Pumpkin soup and Samosas for sale.

Lots of other attractions such as Face Painting and Spray Tattoos, Christmas Gifts and our Christmas Raffle.

It all starts at 11am so come along have a great time and support our charities.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Hi Vic, read your comments,yes remember your allotment in Perry Barr ,aldridge rd, if my memory serves me well thats where your sons made you bury the family cat,it was a slow drive to the allotment that day!.

Thanks to Phil and Gill Savage for letting me see your web site. Great! Will visit it from time to time to keep in touch with you. I used to have an allotment in Perry Barr, too many years ago to remember! Best regards. Vic

On Saturday 29th September we will be holding a 'Coffee Morning' in aid of 'The Macmillan Nurses'. This is a national event that will take place all over the UK during this weekend and is well worth supporting. Please tell your friends and family and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. All proceeds to this worthwhile charity.

Just got back from my holiday in Kefalonia to disciver how well we had done in the Frank Carter Trophy. Second place again means we can't be doing all that badly. Well done to everyone who was recognised by the council for their outstanding efforts at Kings Heath and for our newcomers. Many thanks to Leslie for the updated web pages. The new photos look marvellous and really demonstrate just how much we do on our site.
I was happy to be able to vist Walsall Road Allotments Open Day just before I went on my holiday and had a very enjoyable time. I was very interested in many of the differant types of exhibitors and certainly have made some important contacts with a view to our next events at Thornbridge for both Christmas and next Summer.

Well done everyone.

congratulation to Onyx for winningthe class and his first trophy for his minature garden at kings heath flower show and also for his 2nd and 3rd places in the other classes he entered
well done to Dave for his 2 x 1st's at the same show and well done to Julie Hollyoak plot 16b for her 3rd place in the city's best newcomer award also it was nice for The whole allotment to be recognised by the council and award us 2nd place in the Frank Carter Shield

Hello again,
Just thought I'd let you know that I've added a new page to our website (www.growit.ik.com) about the Open Day at Walsall Road Allotments. We never dreamed that we would make much money because the weather was dreadful but we made over £900. Many, many thanks to Andy, Dave and Lesley for all their support, it meant a lot to us.
Betty
Walsall Road Allotments

Hello Dave and everyone at Thornbridge Avenue. Well done on your fantastic Open Day! A group of us from Walsall Rd. allotments visited to get some ideas for ours, which was last Saturday. We were very impressed with what you did and we appreciated all the hard work which goes into organising something like this. Thank you so much for your generosity in giving us your surplus plants, and for lending us lots of your equipment for our Open Day. We were not so lucky as you were with the weather, but even so we raised a fair amount of money for the Air Ambulance. I'll let you know the total when it's all added up.
So, thanks once again for all your help, it was very much appreciated!
Betty
Walsall Road Allotments

What a fantastic day! Many thanks to all the helpers and supporters who made our Summer Fayre & Show such a success. The wonderful weather was a real bonus and really brought out the crowds. The total raised so far for this years charities is in excess of £970 which is a remarkable amount of money. Thank to all our visitors who contributed towards this marvellous total. I was please to hear some very nice comments from our neighbours down at Walsall Road Allotments and we have great pleasure in offering them support in the way of plants and the use of our PA system to make hopefully make their event on Saturday 18th August a great success.

Once again many thanks to everyone. We have some smashing photos that will be going on the web site very shortly.

Hello I am intrested in helping support your summer fate. I read you might have music on, I am a pianist. I have a keyboard and would like to provoid some live music for your fate. I am local and live in Great Barr. My Email is pianomagic@lycos.co.uki
Thanks

Gary, thanks for the information. I'll give them a try.

All plot holders please not that there is a pre Summer Show Meeting at 2.00pm on Sunday 5th August

Re the lost WW1 medal (Birmingham Mail) someone found

Try these people;

http://www.wfa-birmingham.org.uk/

failing that;

www.hellfire-corner.demon.co.uk/erdington.htm

Thanks for the kind comments. Keep the forum going and send in as many good ideas and comments as you wish. Don't forget to visit other sites and spread the word. Try www.allotments-uk.com it is an excellent site and allows you to find out all sorts of information.

Hello Thornbridge Avenue Allotments, you are doing a good job on the allotments, hope you open day in August goes well and the weather is better. Keep up the good work.
Paul, www.plot6a.ik.com

Hi there my dad and myself absolutely love our allotment not having a garden myself its really important to me, we have eaten our first crop of carrots and radishes also our lettuces were lovely thanks to all who gave us novices there advise happy growing if this rain ever stops!!!!!!

Thornbridge Avenue Allotments Society

Summer Show
&
Open Day

Saturday 11th August 2007
12.00 noon

All proceeds in aid of local charities

Tombola, Pluck the Chicken, Raffle,
Guess the Weight of the Cake,
Beans in a Jar,
Plant Sale, Bric a Brac, Books, Refreshments,
BBQ and 4 foot Paella,
Cakes, Music and much more!

COME ALONG, SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITIES AND HAVE A GREAT TIME
Visit our website: www.sowandgrow.ik.com

To lottie Dave,
Hi Dave we are all busy improving our site. There has been a great deal of tidying up. The shop has been reorganised and the office and kitchen has been cleaned. The next thing on the agenda is the floor of the meeting room which needs tiling.
Also the shop is very busy at weekends, people are waiting for the gates to open
so Ros and Dave are kept very busy.
I hope you are keeping well and that your allotment is flourishing. It is nice to here from you so don't go away keep in touch.
Best wishes Lesley

Goodnes me, has everyone gone into hibernation since Andy posted the last letter and the 27th April ?

I am very pleased to have been nominated for Chair of our site and hope that I will be able to fulfil this role to the best of my ability. I intend to be as approachable as possible and listen to all plotholders either via committee or less formal meetings dealing with issues that may arise from time to time.

I was extremely pleased to see so many plotholders at the Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 25th March. I can?t remember such an event where so many people turned up. There really was, ?standing room only?. Thank you for all the kind words that were spoken at the meeting with regard to the process of electing the Allotment Officers and Committee members. Thank you for putting yourselves forward to become committee members in order to represent the interests of plotholders on site.

I think that it is very important to recognise the contribution that our outgoing Chair gave to our society. On behalf of Thornbridge Avenue Allotment Society I would like to thank Terry for all of his efforts during his term as Chair and wish him all the best for the future.

I would also like to thank Don for the contribution he has made to the society. Don has decided to stand down from the committee this year and there is little doubt that without his loyalty and hard work over many years the shop and general weekend running of the site would have been very difficult to achieve. Many thanks Don.

All the best at the Annual General Meeting, Hope everything go's well for you all and I am sure whoever gets elected as the new Chair-Person will push Thornbridge Allotments forward into the future on the firm foundation that Terry (and Committee) has set. Remember a committee member does a lot of hard work in keeping the allotments up to the standard that you all have come to expect.
Kindest regards
Pat & Dave Fletcher
(Ex Thornbridge Allotmenteer)
p.s. enjoy the tea and biscuits

AGM

I'm sorry I can't make the AGM, come down with a virus, please let me know the
outcome, hope all goes well and look forward to the future with Thornbridge.

In response to Lottie Dave, it is indeed sad that Terry has decided to resign form Thornbridge Avenue Allotment Society. However, times change and people move on in their lives. I would like to publicly thank Terry for all the hard work he has put in to our society over the years because without his endeavours together with all other persons involved, our site would not be the site it is today. So, if you are able to view this guestbook Terry, thank you for all that you have done and good luck in the future. Moving on now. As a society we approach our next AGM which is an important time for the site. I know that their have been many plotholders who wish to become members of the committe and their have been proposers of plotholders to stand as officers. Please make sure that as many people as possible attend the AGM at 2.30pm on Sunday 25th Marchc

Terry resigning!!!! never thought I would see the day that a stalwart of Thornbridge Allotments had handed in his resignation. Terry "me ode pal me ode beauty" l am very sorry to read in the Newsletter that you are retiring (for whatever the reason) You will be sadly missed by one and all for all the hard work that you have put in over the last 9 years or so in raising the the profile of the site, not forgetting of course your hench-men Dave and Lin. I can even feel a trickle of tear down my cheek. All the best Tel for the future. With kind regards
Dave Fletcher

May I remind all plotholders that the Annual General Meeting will take place at 2.00pm on Sunday 25th March. This will provide you the opportunity to take part in the election of the committe and officers for the forthcoming year.

Please do your best to attend. During the next few wweeks you will recieve nomination forms in order to propose either yourself or other willing volunteers who may wish to be represented as an officer or committee member.

i was the little elf really enjoyed myself see you all soon in the summer fayre hope the weather will be little better

Happy New Year to all plotholders and visitors to both the site and website. I agree with Dave, lets hope that this years growing season is much better than last year. There is little doubt that water will be at a premium this year so lets see some innovative ideas for conserving and usring this precious commodity. Don't forget to buy your blue water barrels and connect them to your shed or greenhouse. Make use of all your home and garden waste and get some compost into the ground. This will improve your soil and aid water retention. I have made a video which will be available in the office shortly to show you how to deepen your beds. During this early part of the year we should all be making sure that our sheds, greenhouse and pathways are spruced up, giving a good coat of preservative where appropriate. Here's hopig that we all have a good year.

Pat and myself wish all at Thornbridge Allotments a very happy new year. and lets all look forward to a good growing season in 2007.

Just a quick message to say thanks to all of you who helped at last Saturdays Christmas Fayre. Despite some early inclement weather the show went off very well and although we didn't have the numbers of people compared to last year, all those people who attended had a great time.

Santa and his Elf were a fantastic sight for the children to see and Cakes, Teas, Biscuits and Soup were enjoyed by all.

The Tombola and Raffles created alot of interest and will have no doubt raised those needy funfs for Edwards Trust.

Special thanks to those people who attended despite their own personal situations so extra thanks goes to Peter and Chris and their loved ones at home, Ann and Cheryl.

On behalf of all of the Committee Members I would like to thank you all for your hard work and wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New New.

Hi, Great website, check mine out www.plot6a.ik.com keep up the good work

Hello everyone at Thornbridge Avenue. Just wanted to let you know that the Birmingham and District Allotments Council (BDAC) has their own website - www.bdacallotments.btik.com
Good luck with your Christmas Fayre!
Betty
Walsall Road Allotments
Perry Barr
www.growit.ik.com

Hi

Greetings from Harpers Lane Allotments, Bolton. Nice website ! Please feel free to look around ours and sign our guestbook.

At 11.00am on Saturday 9th December, we will be holding our annual Christmas Fayre at Thornbridge Avenue Allotment Society.

Come and meet Santa and his Elf in their Grotto. Be amazed by the Great Alfonso and sample some of the wonderful food which will be on sale during the event. Entry is free so why not bring the whole family and start the Christmas festivities with a fun day out.

All proceeds as usual go towards Edwards Trust.

AndyP
Thornbridge Avenue Allotment Society
Great Barr

Yes we got plenty 10 for £2 summer or autumn.
Just let us know when you are coming up

Hi Again
Just wondering if there are any Raspberry Canes available this year?

Hi Dave, glad to hear you're still following life at Thornbridge Avenue through our newsletter, it's great to hear how you enjoy reading it!
We will look forward to seeing you and Pat when you're next in Great Barr.
Keep up the good work on the allotment in the meantime.
Regards Dave, Lin and Terry.

Hi All
Long time no speakie or so the saying goe's. First of all I would like to say that even though I am not gardening at Thornbridge any longer I really look forward to reading the ODD JOTTINGS on line especially the CHAIRMANS COMMENTS plus of course all the hints and tips. So please keep it going, it gives lots of folk loads of pleasure.
Anyway congratulations to you all with your efforts in supporting your chosen charity, and also congrat's to Cheryl in joining the commitee (she has always been a hard worker).
My plot on Holmer Road Allotments is quite water logged at the moment with all the rain we have had recently,which is quite different to the summer, in fact the whole year has almost been a disaster with most of the crop failing with the lack of rain. We have next year to plan and look forward to. Hope to pop in and see all when we are next in Brum sometime in December.
All the best to you
Dave Fletcher

Christmas Fayre 2006

Yes, it won't be lomg before Christmas is upon us and so we have set the date for our Christmas Fayre. This years event will be held on Saturday 9th December at 1.00pm. Father Christmas, Face Painting, Home Made Cakes, Biscuits, Jams and Pickles, Pluck the Turkey Tombola and other festive events will be the order of the day. Watch this space for for further updates.

Summer Show

WOW! What a day! On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank everybody who helped on Friday and Saturday to make this years show a fantastic success. The site looked wonderful and the event went off without a hitch. We had some excellent comments from visitors, some of which had come from far afield having read about our event on Allotments UK Web Site. The final total raised for Edwards is not finalised yet but will be announced soon. I do know that it is over a £1000 which is a marvellous amount of money for such a wirthwhile cause.

I know that it may be a little early to announce but the planning for the Christmas Show must start as soon as possible and I would request that you all put on your thinking caps to come up with some ideas.

Best Wishes to you all

Thanks to everyone who came to support us at our Open Day. We raised a little less than last year but we can't keep beating previous years and every penny makes a difference for Edward's Trust. Thanks also to everyone who helped on the day, without them it wouldn't have happened.

Summer Show 2006

Preparations are now well advanced in respect of this years Summer Show which takes place on Saturday 12th August. The Meeting Room is complately finished and ready to accept show entries. Many thanks to Cheryl for her help in organising the room and to Phil for helping with the other preparations. On Friday evening we intend to set up the show stalls and erect all the tents and marquees. If you haven't already volunteered please feel free to come down on Friday or Saturday to assist. We anticipate a fantastic event this year and I have been promised that the weather is going to be favourable. So, bring your friends and family and have a wonderful day out and of course raise a few pounds for a very worthwhile charity, Edwards!

Hi, Its very nice to see such a well run allotment site. Im from Brownfields road,Birmingham. I hope that someday we are run in the same way.

Thank you to all the members of the show committe who met on site on Sunday 16th July. We are quite advanced now in the preparation of this years show. All plotholders now know their own responsibilities and have been allocated specific duties prior and on the day of the show. The lawned area and outbuildings have been given a good tidy up and the borders weeded and mulched. The area around the greenhouses has been cleared of unwanted pots and looks very presentable. The next task staring next Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd July is to make a proper start on the Club Room where the Vegetable Show will be held. Whilst the nominated committee members will undertake this job please feel free to come along and help. It is important that the room is completely ready by Sunday 6th August. The next and final meeting of the committee will be at 2.00pm on 6th August by which time all preparations will be in hand and we will know how many entrants we will have for the show.

PRODUCE SHOW

It is important that ALL plotholders enter some produce for the show. Remember, its for fun. If you have lost your entry form please visit the office of request one from myself or any of the other committee members when on site during the week.

Disturbing News

On Wednesday evening, 11th July whilst watering my plots I noticed that a fairly substantial amount of produce had been stolen. Somebody has taken 5 cabbages, 5 large beetroot and 6 of my spanish onions. This sort of thing hasn't happened for some time so I urge otehr plot holders to be on their guard.

One for Terry,

Aynuk says to Ayli: "I'm lookin' fer one o' them fallout shelters, but they aye 'arf dear!"
Ayli replies: "Dont worry, aer kid, keep lookin' an yo'll find a good second 'an un!"

If you look in the Newsletter section you will find a useful guide on how to exhibit your veg for the forth coming very exciting show. There will also be a lot of help from the committee members, so don't be shy, have a go.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Show Meeting last Sunday 4th June. I have prepared minutes of the meeting which I will distribute and post in the Site Office. It was decided that the next meeting will take place at 2.00pm on Sunday 16th July.

Annual Summer Show Meeting

There is to be a meeting at 2.00pm on Sunday 4th June for all persons interested in helping with the Summer Show. The purpose of the meeting is to establish the format of the day and to allocate people to specific tasks and roles prior to an on the day. In order to make the day as successful and as profitable for the charity as possible please try and attend to offer your services. Believe me, you will really enjoy it and get a lot out of it knwoing you are helping a very worthy cause. Thank you and see you on the 4th June.

The Annual Summer Show will take place on Saturday 12th August 2006. All plotholders are invited to take part in this fantastic event which raises many hundreds of pounds for Edwards Hospice. You don't have to be an expert to enter your produce but its is important that we have as many plotholders as possible to put on a good display. I have included the rules and regulations in this guestbook entry but you will all be getting a 'Show Package' in due course.

1. Entrance Fee 10p for each class.
2. No exhibitor to enter more than one entry in each class3. Exhibitors to provide their own paper plates although vases will be supplied.
4. All entry forms to be handed to the show secretary at the Association Meeting Room by 4.00pm on Saturday 5th August 2006.
5. Remember that time and space is limited, therefore do preparation at home as there will be 20 minutes maximum time for setting up.
6. All exhibits to be staged between 4.00pm and 8.00pm on Friday or between 9.00am and 11.00am on Saturday on the day of the show and the room is to be cleared for judging by 11.30am.
7. The judges are independent of the Society and their decision is final.
8. If required, points will be awarded as follows: - 1st ? 3 points, 2nd ? 2 points, 3rd ? 1 point.
If you require any advice in how to prepare your exhibits, please contact the show committee:

Andy Poyner (Show Secretary), Phil Savage, Dennis Ryder, Lesley Sherburn, Paul Moore, Cheryl Butler

I have just taken over as Trading Secretary for my local Allotment association. I would welcome any advice re best selling lines and suppliers

Hello to you all!
ive just came across your website from a link from an allotment forum that i use, and i just had to say what a lovley place you look like you have down there!
Im from Redditch and my fiance and I have just taken on our new plot as we are keen gardeners, but our local allotment isnt anything compared to yours! how I wish I lived near you, which is ironic as my sister hasnt long moved from Thornbridge Avenue!
we will definatley be paying you a visit in the very near future, for some advice and inspiration, lots and lots of love from sarah and brian.xxxx

Just a quick reminder to all plotholders. The committee and particularly David, Terry and Lynne work very hard to ensure that our site runs smoothly. It is with no small effort that the shop and site is open EVERY weekend come rain or shine to enable our own plotholders and valued community customers to purchase their wares.

Maintenance of the site requires a lot of hard work which the committee carries out with the support of a proportion of plotholders which is gratefully received. Any offers of assistance during the weekend would also be much appreciated.

Finally, as you all know Thornbridge Avenue Allotment Society is a 'Self Managed' site. This means that we run the site as a committee on behalf of Birmingham City Council under the rules and regulations of the council. We are responsible for all aspects of the site in terms of finance, health and safety and ensuring that our plotholders abide by the rules and regulations of the site.

The committee takes great pride in the manner in how it operates the site and is very proud of the achievements it has made during the period of time that the site has been self managed. Many thousands of pounds have been raised over the years for Edwards Trust and our shop is the envy of many other sites who's plotholders regularly visit when their own shop is closed.

We should be all grateful and proud of how our site is run which is only down to the hard work and dedication of Terry, David and Lynne and those other helpers who regularly contribute.

If any plotholder has any questions regarding the operation of the site you can visit the site office during the weekend when the committee are always present.

Hello, I have an allotment at Brownfield Road, Shardend, Birmingham. I was wondering how you started your web site? Is it easy? I am the tressurer. No good at spelling but very good with money.

Hi, I did it. got my greenhouse up and running. seedlings are coming on great. Spuds are in, onions are in, and everything else is in the greenhouse getting ready for me to put in. I cant wait to put them in the ground.
The allotment holders voted me to be tressurer, so now I'm on the com: mybe now I can get soming done.
Make the area more surequire mybe. Stop the KIDS form pulling up everyones plants, and stop them from breaking in to the sheds.
Wish me luck.
Gilly.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the AGM due to family commitments but I know Terry raised the issue of the forthcoming Summer Fayre. Last year we failed to have a Vegetable and Flower Show which was sadly missed. This year we intend to put on a show so that ALL plotholders can take part. This is a very important part of the allotment year and allows us to show off a bit to the visiting public who attend the event in their throngs. I have volunteered to promote and organise the event but need at least three other people to assist. If you are interested you can contact me on my email address or via Terry, Dave or Lynne on site.

Many thanks

"There are many tired gardeners but I've seldom met old gardeners. I know many elderly gardeners but the majority are young at heart. Gardening simply does not allow one to be mentally old, because too many hopes and dreams are yet to be realized. The one absolute of gardeners is faith. Regardless of how bad past gardens have been, every gardener believes that next year's will be better. It is easy to age when there is nothing to believe in, nothing to hope for; gardeners, however, simply refuse to grow up. Thomas Jefferson said once, "Though an old man, I am but a young gardener"."...Allan Armitage

Hello, visited your site after receiving an email from Keith Smith, one of your locals. Just wanted to say how nice it is to see people turning something overgrown and derelict into something that gives so much pleasure and satisfaction, to individuals and the community.

Well done all!

Paul
Woodside Allotments, Selly Park, Birmingham (not too far down the road)

Hi everyone,
Came across this the otherday,simple and inexpensive,try it,
Keith Smiff 68a





Clear Instructions on How To Do (just about) Everything

Home > Home & Garden Center > Growing



This how-to guide is part of eHow.com, the world's largest source of how-to information. With thousands of articles on a wide range of topics, eHow has the step-by-step guides you need. For everything from how to throw a knuckleball to how to muzzle a dog, www.ehow.com is your how-to solution.
How to Create Seed-Starting Pots From Newspapers
Instead of buying expensive peat pots to plant your seeds in, make these spiffy planting pots by rolling recycled newspaper around a glass or jar. The finished pots are sturdy and will break down quickly once they've been planted in the soil.



Steps:
1. Open one full sheet of newspaper so that it lies flat. (Image 1)

2. Fold in half lengthwise. (Image 2)

3. Fold in half lengthwise again. You now have a long, narrow strip of folded newspaper.

4. Start at one end and roll the newspaper around a pint jar or glass. The jar is used only as a form to roll the paper. Leave about 1 inch of the bottom of the jar uncovered. You now have a narrow strip of newspaper that has been wrapped around a glass jar. Part of the newspaper should overlap the open end of the jar. (Image 3)

5. Push the ends of the paper into the open end of the jar. This step doesn't have to be neat and tidy; just stuff the overlapping newspaper into the jar. (Image 4)

6. Pull the jar out of the newspaper pocket so you have the newspaper pot in your hand.

7. Push the bottom of the jar into the newspaper cup, squashing the folded bottom to flatten. This step will seal the bottom of your pot. Once the pot has been filled with soil, the bottom will be secure. (Image 5)

8. Pull the jar out and you have a finished paper pot. (Image 6)

Tips:
Place the pot in a nursery flat and fill it with good-quality potting soil.

Stack the newspaper pots side by side in the flat so that they'll support each other and prevent the sides from collapsing. Plant your chosen seeds; when the seeds have two sets of leaves, plant - pot and all - into the ground. The pot will break down quickly once in the soil.








Tips:
Place the pot in a nursery flat and fill it with good-quality potting soil.

Stack the newspaper pots side by side in the flat so that they'll support each other and prevent the sides from collapsing. Plant your chosen seeds; when the seeds have two sets of leaves, plant - pot and all - into the ground. The pot will break down quickly once in the soil.


Warnings:
Most newspapers these days use soy ink for color printing, which is not harmful to plants. Still, your local paper may use petroleum-based colored ink, which is toxic, so you may want to avoid newspaper with color inks.

Hello everyone,
I'm Betty from Walsall Road Allotments and I'd like to invite you to a recording of the radio 4 programme Gardeners' Question Time. It's on April 5th at St. Teresa's Community Centre in Wellington Road and the tickets are free. For full details of the programme, and how to get tickets, please see our website www.growit.ik.com.
Thanks for letting me tell you about it,
Betty

Hi Gilly
It's to see you persevering and we don't know where you are from but it's a shame the allotment was in such a bad condition for you to start with. If you are local to our site and would like any information please feel free to contact us to arrange a visit (we're open every weekend between 10 & 4). We've been there in the past when we were turning the site round from near derelict condition to a very popular site today. Thanks for visiting our website and for your comments on our guestbook.
Regards
Lin, Terry and Dave

Its good to see so many of you busying themselves down on your respective plots. Now the weather is getting a bit warmer I hope you all start to venture out. Don't forget to get yer spuds from the shop and get chitting.

Hi, had my allotment now since last October 05, my 13 year old son and I worked hard to clear it, was in a very bad way when we took it on. No one had worked on it for a very long time. Took us around 3 months to clear it, found a lot of things on it thou, some we kept and are useing them now. Had ir rotavated in January 06, and I have built my shed, its metal, and at the moment trying to put my greenhouse together, taking me a long time to do it. Still, not bad for a woman, didn't think I could do it. But did!!!!
Can't wait to start potting my seeds.

Thanks to Helen for the Curly Kale. Dipped it in a light tempura batter and deep fried it!!! WOW! It was excellent. Cross between fried seaweed and cabbage. Try it!

Hi Pat and Dave
Glad to hear of you gaining your new allotment, unfortunate about the condition it was in, but looking back eight years many of our plots were the same. Still, look on the bright side, you might gain from the tat.
Thank for your compliments on how good our site is, this however is only due to the hard work of the committee in turning the site round from a near derelict state to the thriving site it was when you found us. This work involved reclaiming plots back from grassland and many trips to the tip with rubbish. It was far from easy but plotholders are now reaping the rewards of our labours.
Keep up the good work, we're sure that you will succeed.
Best Wishes from Lin, Terry and Dave
PS we're getting the seed potatoes and onion sets in next weekend.

Dave

Excellent news. Clay Soil!! Hard work never hurt anyone. Thanks for the nice comments. Make sure you have a look at the website down below.

Hi All
Finally got my new allotment just before Xmas (Early pressie). Andy must have had a chrystal ball when he said I would soon get a new plot. Pat and I have been down there every day this week starting to get it dug over in preparation for the growing season. Its proving to be very hard work as the soil is inclined to be on the clay side, plus been neglected and having loads of scrap metal and a 45 gall drum of broken glass from a former greenhouse that used to be there. the plot itself measures 40 x 45 feet and is on a gentle slope overlooking Hereford racecourse (Watched the first race of the season yesterday foc ) . Terry that old steel reinforced garden fork you sold me is a boon, as no normal fork would stand up to the levering that is required on this heavy soil.
You lads and lasses on Thornbridge dont relise how lucky you are having having a shop on site to get all your gardening bits and bobs, and I must praise all the people that run it namely Lin, Terry,Dave,Don and young Andy. You dont miss it untill its gone. Think it over everyone and give Thornbridge all the support you can. I look forward to reading more letters on the Sow & Grow Site.
All the best
Pat & Lottie Dave Fletcher

Hi Folks

Have a look at this website, it really will help new or experienced plotholders
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/fruit_veg_diary/fruit_veg_index.asp

Wishing you all at Thornbridge allotments a very happy, peaceful and healthy New Year, and good gardening in 2006.

Jim and Bridget.

I recommend that members sign up to the website below. Its free and contains links and excellent information to many other sites. I have recently posted 'our' link on the site so it should drum up some interest. The 'Forum' is superb.

http://www.allotments-uk.com

Happy New Year
Andy

It's Christmas Eve and thanks to Lin I've finally managed to visit our web site.
I've loved reading everyones comments and even though I'm part of the site and know what we've been doing, it has still been very interesting to actually see it on screen. Congratulations to Lesley for her superb effort in putting us on line. In my position of Secretary I'd Like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at Thornbridge Avenue Allotments.

Very interesting web site, well put together. After visiting the allotment we were impressed with the pleasant atmosphere and look forward to joining you in the near future.

To Lottie Dave. Glad to see that you are both well and settled in your new home in Hereford. Don't worry, you'll get your plot soon and hopefully ready in time for the new season. Your old plot is in good hands and Mick looks like he's going to do a fine job.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Christmas Fayre 2005

This is a big thank you for all the persons who helped with the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 10th December. It truely was a great day with fanyastic weather and we raised a great deal of money for Edwards Childrens Hospice. The final figure is yet to be realised but is currently in the region of £500 and it will be in excess of last years event which is wonderful news.

I would like to particularly thank Anne who largely organised the event and Santa and his Elf who made a brilliant effort to accommodate in excess of 45 children who informed them of their requests for presents. Thank you.

For all those person that helped to put the show on form gazebo construction, selling tea, coffee, cakes and raffle tickets thank you very much. We could never have achieved it without your assistance.

I think that one of the best comments I heard during the day was from a lady who had never visited our site before. She told us that having come through the front gate for the first time, what a wonderful community spirit there was inside. This is a tremendous accolade and demonstrates what we have always believed in. Our site is part of the community. Well done everybody.

On behalf of the the Committee I would like to wish every plot holder and member of our community, a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

Andy
Plots 45 & 49

What an inspiration you all are at Thornbridge Road. Well done to you all for creating a little bit of heaven alongside the M6! Me- I'm new to allotmenteering this year, and me and my husband have still along way to go to clear our plot. It's coming along nicely. A bit of warmth and sunshine today - just right for manure spreading. I hope I can pay you a visit in 2006 and meet you all in person. Best wishes for the New Year. Dawn at The Leys Allotment Association, Rubery, Birmingham.

Hi, I'm Pauline, Secretary for The Leys Allotments. Visited your website after seeing it in the BDAC Newsletter. Very impressed with all the content.

So impressed the Committee thought that perhaps we should look into this for The Leys. Being very green about websites we would be grateful if you could let us know how you went about your website, how much it cost and who to contact for more information.
There is no rush as we will not be holding another meeting until February 2006, but you could contact me via our email (see above), or my mobile 07981 757547 or my home number 0121 457 8463.
Look forward to hearing from you ~ Pauline Poole

GREETINGS FROM HEREFORD
Hi folks, I see you are all hard at it again organising the Xmas Fayre for Edwards trust. Pat and I wish you all the best and hope you have a nice dry day for the event.
Haven't managed to get my new plot yet, apparently I am third on the list (getting withdrawal feelings). plots down here are like the proverbial rocking horse manure!!
We shall be popping back to Brum shortly to see the grand kids so I will nip in to see you all.
All the best, have a Merry Xmas and a happy new year

Dave & Pat Fletcher

Brilliant website. Very good - it gives a great flavour of your allotments - well done to whoever put it together. Found it through the BDAC newsletter. A very good friend of mine has been inspired by your site and hopes to create one for another local allotments - watch out! Any tips would be gratefully received. Thank you from Jane

I have been a member of this site for the past eleven years and Chairman for the last six. Sometimes it's hard work especially being busy with admin and not being able to work on my plot at the weekend, but I'm proud of what we've achieved and thanks to my committee and helpers to numerous to mention. But most of all I'm proud of what we've raised for Edward's Trust (over £10,000 in the last five years). Please come and visit us any weekend we'd be pleased to show you around.

I have been a member of our wonderful allotment society for the past 5 years and I would like to endorse the kind comments made by those people who have visited either our site or web page. Thornbridge Avenue Allotment Society is the best site in Birmingham and a friendlier place would be difficult to find.

Our site lies within the heart of the community and I believe that the community has taken it to their hearts judging by the tremendous turnout for the charity events that we frequenlty hold.

Kind hearts and hard work have made our site one to be proud of.

Andy
Plot 45 & 49

Lin & Lesley you have done a great job on the website. Keep up the good work.

It would be hard to find a better run allotment in the whole of Birmingham and the work you do for the Edward Trust.
A very good web site, we enjoyed the picture gallery and guest book comments also the recipes and newsletter.
Bridget says reading about Jack the Lantern brought back memories of her childhood, her mother used to tell them stories around the fire on a winter's night and Jack the Lantern was one of them.
Congratulation's to all concerned
Jim

Thank you for the wonderful information and discussion as to how to create a very special place of peace and community! The fact that I can view it many miles away makes it all the more valuable. Thank you so much! Peace! Namaste! Chester in Canada

lovely site - when i come and visit i'm sure the allotment will be a port of call for me to come and get some top tips and meet some of you lovely people - thankyou for making such a wonderful place for my lovely friend helen to find some peace and happiness :)

Kown of your allotement site for a long time. Great to see how it has improved over the years. Congratulations to you all. Love your Web Page. informative, easy to use, gives a good insite not only to your site but to Allotement Gardening at its best.

Lesley - congratulations on a fantastic website! I am really impressed with what you have done, it all works very smoothly. The photos are great, and it was interesting to read the history of your site. I like the pattern of leaves you have chosen for the pages, very colourful. Well done!
Betty
Walsall Road Allotments
www.growit.ik.com

Site address given by Mr Phil Savage. Nice lay out, friendly and fun. Good. Best wishes from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK

phil (plot 36).
excellent web site.
I had the privilege to collect our award on sunday 03/09/05 at the kings heath flower show.
This year we collected second prize but I know next year it will be first, well done!.

Hi Folks
1. Just a couple of tips that have come back to mind for the newer allotmenteers.
If you are troubled with club root on brassica's, when planting drop a small piece of rhubarb at the bottom of the hole before planting. (John Martin tip)
2. Anybody in your family suffer with cold sores (Herpes) on the lips? Try making a brew out of Lemon Balm. 2 teaspoons of chopped balm in a 1/2 pint of boiling water, cooled off and strained into an airtight bottle which will keep a while in the fridge. dab the solution onto the cold sore as often as you like. It will dry up and disappear in a few days. Occasionally dab it on even when the sore has gone and this will keep the virus at bay.

Just got back from the lottie and its another wonderful day.

Bye All

Well done in finally creating a web site. Its a shame I am leaving Thornbridge Allotments as I think there are better and more exciting days ahead for all concerned with running the site and also to our lady webmaster or should I say webmistress. I will keep in touch with you all,and to see how you are progressing on my return visits from Hereford (Gods County) All the best.
Dave Fletcher Plots 66/67

It's looking great. Well done on an excellent web site