Allotment News

Correction to the time of the meeting - 2:00pm, not the previously shown 1pm.

There is a new group set up in West Byfleet, West Byfleet Community Garden Group. Its intention is to plant up public areas with cultivated and wild plants for the benefit of both wildlife and human residents. 

They are holding a small planting day on 21st and 22nd February 10.30-13.00 outside Seymours in West Byfleet. Bring your own tools and any appropriate bulbs and similar. 

There will also be an open planning meeting on Monday 2nd March at 14.00 at West Byfleet Library. WB allotment holders would be very welcome to participate at both. Please advise Louisa Bergman of intended attendance via email: loubergman AT hotmail.com

The trading hut is open again every Sunday until the end of June.

Come on in and see the new stock, opportunity to chat and of course pay your rent.

Remember if there is something you want to buy outside of our Sunday Trading times, just ask a committee member who can open up and sell to you.

Work has started this January to repair the next section of the bottom road.  A working party lifted cleaned, sorted and stacked the existing brick ready for relaying.

Hopefully the repair work can get done by mid-March

Cakes, Jams, produce refreshments and a chance to wander around the 150+ plots.

All proceeds from the day will be going to Woking and Sam Beare Hospices. Last year we raised over £500, please help make this year a success too.

How to find us

West Byfleet Allotments is at the end of Leisure Lane off Camphill Road, West Byfleet - KT14 6HF is as close a postcode as there is.

Rent for 2018

Rents are due at this time of year, so once the hut is open, please come on down and settle your fees. As you will have seen from the AGM rents are the same as last year £24.00 made up of £0.50 membership + £23.50 per 5 rod plot.

Payment methods:
Cheque/cash at the trading hut on Sundays
Cheque posted to the Chairman (Fairwinds, Faris Lane, Woodham, KT15 3DJ)
Bank Transfer (Bank details are the same as last year. Please email me if you intend to do this).

Cheques should be made out to: "West Byfleet Allotments and Gardens Association"

Trading Hut

The trading hut will be opening on Sundays from 11th Feb. 10:00 - 12:00.  The main gates will be left open during this period.

As in previous years we will be re-stocking from our horticultural goods suppliers, Interhort (http://interhort.com/).  As in previous years, we are offering plot-holders the opportunity to order goods on their own account as part of the Trading Hut order.  Note that this is not available to associate members or those on the waiting list.  Please let Bill Goodman (biugoodman@hotmail.com) know if you want to order anything before the end of the month - please be aware that prices on the Interhort site are ex.VAT.

Unloved Plots

Following a recent check, it's clear some plots had not been getting the TLC they deserve.  If you think you may be an owner of one of these plots, we urge you to contact the Chairman or Membership Secretary (Jane Weisz) to let us know what’s happening. Should we not hear from you, you may expect to receive an individual phone call or email on this matter.

Departures and sabbaticals – Are you considering giving up your plot? Please give us a heads up on your thoughts and plans.

There is a waiting list for plots and we want to assign new members their plots as soon as possible so they can get digging.

Water Project

We are hoping to start the installation of the tanks and piping on 1st February (weather permitting) when the positioning of the new tanks will start.  Council contractors will be on site from 5th when the trenching work will begin.  During this time both top and bottom roads will be closed where necessary and a number of piping trenches will be opened.  Please avoid falling and tripping in these as they are of course a safety hazard.

Water Project Help Wanted

We are looking for help with laying the piping and filling the trenches and are hoping to get teams of 3-4 people each day as we go along.  If you can help, please email me and let me know.

If all goes well the new water installation will be completed in a couple of weeks, but like all trips into the unknown...

If you are interested in having one of the old water tanks please let me know - they will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Other Reminders and Topics

Car tyres are now classified as hazardous waste.  If you have/use tyres on your plot it is your responsibility to have them removed should you give your plot up.

Please consider putting your plot number on the inside of your shed door.  This will help us identify which sheds belong to which plot.

Plot-holders are responsible for the paths around your plot. Please ensure that paths are kept clear and that structures such as fruit cages etc. are positioned far enough away from paths so wheelbarrows and lawnmowers can be used.

Washing vegetables - please don't use the water troughs for this as they silt up and can go foul.  Instead use water in a watering can or bucket.