Take a look at this great video by Sarah Lou Mcnee, taken of her dad’s plot at the Open Day in 2013.

The committee have just received a letter from a plot holder, complaining about unsupervised children running around and playing on theirs and other people’s plots.

We would like to remind everyone, that although we welcome and encourage family involvement, the plot holder has responsibility for their guests/visitors, at all times (Rule 2); and that nobody should encroach onto another person’s plot (or associated paths), unless they have been given permission.

Ashfield Allotment Committee

14 April 2013

We have consulted with Liverpool City Council and we have extended the time when burning is allowed

1st October to 31st March.

If you do burn you must follow these rules.

No fires are permitted between 1st April to 30th September.

The only materials which should be put to the fire are diseased plant materials which it would be unsafe to compost or dry woody materials which it would not be possible to compost (We also have a shredder which can be hired).

If it is thought essential to put materials to a fire, then the following procedures must be followed.

The burning of debris is only allowed if the following precautions are taken on each occasion

1) Fires are to be in a cleared area at a distance of at least 10 metres from any property.

2) Fires are not to be left unattended at any time.

3) A suitable fire extinguishing appliance to be kept available for immediate use

4) Fires to be extinguished at least one hour prior to leaving the site

5) Wait for a wind free day. Smoke will be, or should be, carried straight up from the fire. It is thus less likely to constitute a Statutory nuisance.

6) Check that neighbours & plotholders are unlikely to be in their gardens or on their plots, and, especially, that there will not be clothing on a clothes line. Avoid in particular setting a fire at a weekend, or a public (bank) holiday.

7) Materials to be fired must be dry, so that gritty white smoke is less likely.

8) The following should never be put to the fire. Plastics, paint, carpet, roofing felt, rubber, linoleum, foam rubber from unwanted furniture. These will cause thick black smoke. Harmful gases or fumes, and particulates, might result. Black smoke constitutes Statutory Nuisance within the Environmental Health Act 1990.

10) If materials to be burnt have stood for some time before being fired, check for sleeping pets. In Autumn and Winter, check for hibernating hedgehogs.

11) Never use an accelerant – petrol, paraffin, methylated spirit, white spirit – to light or to encourage a fire.

If you are going to burn anything you must ensure that it will not cause a nuisance to any other Plotholders or neighbouring houses. (Also covered by clause 3t of the Tenancy Agreements).

A greenhouse or shed on your allotment plot is a real bonus but they can be expensive to buy.

Bunny Guinness from the Telegraph has produced a great article on how to build your own greenhouse by reclaiming items from skips and using offcuts, take a look at the full article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/9873448/How-to-build-your-own-greenhouse-from-scrap.html.

Recently scaffolding boards have been stolen from plot 50A. This has probably been perpetrated by plot holders or someone with access to a gate key, because there are no signs of forced entry to the site or damage to fences, etc.

The committee wish to remind people that theft from plots will not be tolerated and anyone caught will be evicted from their plot.

If anybody has any information relating to this incident, please report it to a member of the committee.