jane wells

I think Heeley city farm may sell bags of manure. I'm not sure that they would deliver it though.

This Weekend we are holding two fundraising events which are open to all. Saturday 8th December- Christmas garland making workshop- from 10 am at allotment shop(Meersbrook Rd entrance). Come and make your own Christmas decorations using natural materials. Those of you with children or grand children might enjoy this workshop. Sunday 9th December- Christmas fundraiser, including raffle, guess the weight of the cake, garlands for sale, preserves, cakes etc. Refreshments will be on sale and BBQ. This event also begins at 10 at the shop site. The allotment shop will also be open from 10 -11 am. We are trying to raise money for repairs to the pavillion on the shop site.

The shop is located just inside the gates at the top of Meersbrook Road. Open Sunday and Thursday from 10-11. This months committee meeting was yesterday Don't know how suyccesfulf the freeing up of allotments will be but it feels like something is happening at last

The council have recently sent out letters to owners of unused plots (after much hassling from allotment holders). This may free up some more allotments so don't give up. We are also looking into what resources are available for overgrown plot clearance as it can be incredibly daunting tackling a jungle. Allotment society committtee meeting first Sunday in the month at the shop. Good place to go for information.

Yes we saw one in our garden yesterday evening. We live in Meersbrook. I've never seen one in the garden before. Anyone else seen them in other areas of Shefffield?

Heeley & District Allotment Society Minutes from meeting in the Park 11/06/07 The meeting was called to discuss the spate of vandalism and arson that has recently blighted the allotments. The intention was to discuss what we could do to improve matters and develop strategies to combat the problem. Due to **** up meeting was held in the park and this which was probably a good thing as it made for a relaxed atmosphere. Items discussed: 1) Fencing Update was provided on the fencing. The council has confirmed that funding has been approved for the completion of the fencing all the way to public entrance on Catt Lane. Also included are improvements to the existing gates. Action: Jane to get confirmation of timescale and exact nature of the fence from the council 2) Police Unfortunately the police felt that they couldn’t turn up but had supplied some literature and contact details. Cards were issued giving contact numbers Happily due to the al fresco nature of the meeting Denise Reaney Felt the collars of a couple of passing community police officers (Matt and Richard) who were able to provide some advice on the correct procedure for reporting crime on your plots. For non emergency response dial 101 To report a crime 01142202020 For information about a crime – Crime Stoppers 0800555111 General advice included: Mark all equipment with identification pens available at the Society shop Put tools away Keep your allotments secure All basic stuff but we need to limit the invitation for crime. In addition the actions to follow in the case of seeing someone acting suspiciously are as follows Don’t confront Get a detailed description including clothing Report suspicious vehicles registration if possible They are also using “Tags” – graffiti identification as a means of identifying offenders so make a note of these. Report everything Action: Incident log to be held in the Society shop – Use it Keys to be provided for the Police to access site. Dave Cooper “our” community Support officer to attend a meeting at allotment shop next Sunday - 17th June at 11.15am Additionally the fire service has provided the following advice: Don’t store anything flammable on site Keep hedges trimmed 3) Plot 9 A youth project, funded by the police and Heeley Development Trust, to get youngsters involved in the allotments in a positive way. This is being reactivated. 4) Full Tenancy Here we go again. The consensus is that the more plots that are occupied the more visible plot holders become and this is likely to deter crime. A survey has been carried out of unworked plots and this has been submitted to John Martin. The state of some of the unworked plots could be off putting to prospective tenants Action: John Martin to be asked for progress on addressing issue of unworked plots. Council to be approached for funding for clearance. Further Action - Probation Service, Heeley City Farm and other organisations could be approached for assistance in clearing plots. 5) Rapid Response After an arson attack on one allotment, a neighbour organised clearance of the damage. This proved to be a wholly positive experience. A significant reason for people abandoning allotments is the thought of having to clear up all the debris. It seems like a good idea if we get together to help people out at such difficult times. A list has been started of people who are willing to give their time to help allotment holders who experience similar difficulties. To join ask at the shop. Jane offered to co-ordinate this. If you know of anyone requiring help respond to this thread or contact the society shop. 6) AOB Park/Heeley Area Panel – originally agreed to fund the perimeter fencing. We agreed that we needed to involved with proposed plans and that we need this in writing. Many people expressed a wish to attend next panel meeting. The date of the next meeting is: Tuesday 3rd July at 7 pm St Pauls Church, Angerford Ave, Norton Lees. – Get out those A-Z’s! We agreed to raise the following points: Fencing – confirmation of extent and timescales in writing Social cohesion grants Skips and bins Please suggest any additional things to be raised either by email or at the society shop. Whistle Warning System: A suggestion was made about a warning system to be used by allotment holders in an emergency situation. Comments welcome. Shop Opening times Thursday 10-11am Sunday 10-11am And don’t forget: Saturday 16th June – stall (info, plants and shop) at Heeley Festival. Sunday 17th June @ 11.15 is – PC Dave Cooper available at the shop to take information about incidents on the allotments. Sunday July 1st (and 1st Sunday of every month) @ 11.15 am - Society Committee meetings

I'll try and get it together to post meeting dates on here. It would be great if you can make it to the vandalism meeting next Monday evening. Incidently if anyone is worried about attending a meeting in the evening, post a reply on this thread or PM me and I will try and arrange a lift for you.

They are at the bottom of Cat Lane Woods. Access and Society shop at the end of Meersbrook Road. further access from Norton Lees.

We are very new and have just formed the committee. We have obviously discussed the vandalism and arson attacks. We are currently trying to sort out fund raising ideas as money is a real problem. We have also discussed hiring skips to clear up rubbish, trying to find out what is happening with the fence and have conducted a survey of abandoned and vandalised plots ( one of our aims is to get maximum occupancy of the site) Committee meeetings are open so please feel free to attend one if you would like to- especially if you have any fund raising ideas! I do hope as many allotment holders as possible can attend the vandalism meeting as the situation seems to be getting worse and worse. I have been personally affected by an arson attack on my plot- devastating:(

Heeley and District Allotment Society Monday 11th June – Vandalism meeting - 7.15pm @ Hartley St Community rooms. Agenda; • advice from police • update on fence, • volunteers for rapid response team to help clear damaged plots (and allotment watch?) All Allotment holders are welcome. Please bring ideas and a positive attitude Other dates for your diary: Saturday 16th June – stall (info, plants and shop) at Heeley Festival. Plant donations required – drop off at the society shop. Sunday 17th June @ 11.15 am – PC Dave Cooper available at the shop to take information about incidents on the allotments. Sunday July 1st (and 1st Sunday of every month) @ 11.15 am - Society Committee meetings

sent hubby out to collect firewood from greenhouse. I'm lolling about feeling flu ridden at home! Regarding vandalism meeting at Heeley. Have decided to meet anyway even if it means outside! Spoke to Rosie today who will also attend. she may be able to get a key from john Martin for the hut. We'll see. I'm going to try and brave it down there tomorrow but I don't expect much digging will take place! will keep you posted about meeting plans. It would be great to meet up with youy or anyone else from the allotment Fed if they can attend.

I haven't spoken to peter since last weekend when he agreed to us using the hut for a meeting. He is the key holder as he is running the shop. All I know is that there hasn't been an active society or any meetings in the 3 years since I've had my allotment. What is frustrrating is that I feel from talking to lots of allotment holders that we could get an active group going down there. We could really get something positive out of a bad situation if we are united. I tried to make it clear in my original message that it is only down to an email from John Martin which stated that Peter didn't think the meeting was necessary now. I don't think we should do either of them down, as i haven't managed to speak to either of them about it yet. I agree that we should go ahead with the meeting and if we can't use the hut go elsewhere.

Thanks rosie, that would be great. A lot of people are expecting the meeting on the 18th at 11.15am. Perhaps we should meet at the hut as planned and go on elsewhere for the meeting. any ideas as to where? We could take a chance on the weather and hold the meeting outside at the allotments. email me if you want to speak on the phone. andy_wells@blueyonder.co.uk and I'll give you my number. Thanks for your interest and I look forward to meeting you.

Thanks kim. I think it will work this time. I wonderered why the original message I was applying to was not there! this looks much more hopeful. Also thanks for your email regarding allotment federation meetings. I will try and make it to the one on Feb 19th.

just to add my reply was to low carbon. I am new to all this and it didn't quite work as it should. Not sure how you reply to one particular user.