Site News

CHICKENS

Over the past few months BAA have been in discussions withe BTC regarding the keeping of chickens on our allotments. Both parties felt it was a good idea to draw up a set of guidlines. The 1950's allotment act section 12 gives plot holders the right to keep chickens and rabbits on allotments with no restrictions other than to make sure that conditions must be clean, safe and that they do not cause a nuisance. At a meeting held on the 3rd November 2008 at the Guildhall with the grounds and cemetry committee the draft guidlines were submitted and approved. This is excellent news.

Barnstaple Allotment Association understand that there have been concerns raised by some plot holders regarding the keeping of chickens and we would like to re-assure those people that any chickens kept on plots will be properly cared for and kept clean and free from smells or vermin. Anyone not complying with this guidlines will have their right to keep chickens removed. Plot holders at the Bryants field site hope to have their communal chicken coup up and running shortly, they hope to rescue ex battery hens and nurse them back to health and hopefully provide enough eggs for everyone. Anyone interested in getting involved with this project can call 01271 379997.

CONTROLLED BURNING

BAA have long been in discussions with BTC about the need to allow controlled burning on our allotment sites. The need for this has become more serious in the past few years as the problem with blight has gotten out of hand. All sites are affected with this disease to the point that many plot holders can no longer grow potatoes or tomatoes as every year their crops are wiped out. This is very soul destroying. Guidlines governing the disposal of diseased material say that it must be disposed of by burning, the fact that this has been dis-allowed for so many years means that this waste is being left lying around thus making the problem worse. BAA propsed that we be allowed to carry out controlled burning twice a year in Spring and Autum, this would also enable us to burn all the woody material, brambles etc which are not suitable for composting.

Plot holders are responsible for their boarders and pathways as stated in the tennancy agreement and instead of being able to burn anything that needs to be cut back it is being dumped else where on the allotments. The controlled burning would be a good way of getting rid of this material and enable us to tidy up areas which have been neglected.

At the grounds and cemetry meeting on the 3rd November 2008 BAA put its case before the committee (read a copy of the propsal here) and it was approved subject to certain conditions. Again excellent news. More information as to how and when these burnings will take place will be available shortly.

WILDLIFE AREA

BAA would like to point out that the two plots at the bottom left of the Bryant's field site have been deignated a wildlife area, this is with the councils consent. We have noticed that people have been dumping their prunings, weeds and stones etc on these plots. This is not acceptable and anyone found to be dumping waste will be reported to the Town Council. These wild areas on allotments are very important habbitats for wildlife and need to be protected.

Barnstaple allotment Competition 2007

An Allotment competition evening was held in the Mayors Parlour at the end of last year, where awards were presented to the winning allotment holders.

Highly Commended	Runners Up	Best Plot Winners
Mrs Osmentfish Number 40 - Bryants Field Mrs Rooke Number 27 - Sunnybank Mr Ayres Number 30b - Higher Raleigh Number 17 - Penrose	Mrs Wilkinson Number 45 - Bryants Field Mr Barber Number 34 - Sunnybank Mr Turner Number 3 - Higher Raleigh Number 8 - Penrose	Mr Hutchinson Number 54 - Bryants Field Mr Sugden Number 22 - Sunnybank Mr Huxtable Numbers 7 - Higher Raleigh Mr Phillips Number Number 5 - Fairview Number 20 - Penrose
Over all Winner Mr Hutchinson - Bryants field

 

Barnstaple Allotment Competition 2006

An Allotment competition evening was held in the Mayors Parlour at the end of last year, where awards were presented to the winning allotment holders.

Highly Commended Mr Hutchinson and Mrs Rendle - Bryants Field Mr Amer - Sunnybank Mr Neal - Higher Raleigh Mr Vaughan - Fairview Mrs Harvey - Penrose	Runners Up Mr Shanley - Bryants Field Mr Toms - Sunnybank Mr Turner - Higher Raleigh Mrs Ayres - Fairview Ms Lake - Penrose	Best Plot Winners Mrs Wilkinson - Bryants Field Mr Sugden - Sunnybank Mr Moore - Higher Raleigh Mr Phillips - Fairview Mr Harvey - Penrose
	Over all Winner Mrs Wilkinson - Bryants Field