COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO ALL MEMBERS

Everyone will be aware of the quickly developing situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s impact in England.

Our Association is now in regular contact with the Oxford and District Federation of Allotment Associations as we consider how we may need to change the way in which our association operates in the months ahead.

We cannot give public health advise. All members should follow this themselves through media broadcasts and the internet.

For now, many members will want to continue normal allotment gardening on their own plots and make sure that plots remain well maintained and are productive in the months ahead especially now as we are entering the main growing season.

For this to work we need to respect each other’s space and the fact that some members may not wish to have the normal social contact that we enjoy especially if they are in those groups that the government have said need to take social distancing measures.

The committee will be in regular communication to see how we need to respond – for instance, whether the shop can remain open as normal, whether we need to suspend normal cultivation guidelines or respond to any changing public health advice.

Please keep checking the website for up-to-date information.

Plot Inspection Seed Swop Work Party

Dear All,

Plot Inspections are now the 21st & 22nd March.

Seed Swop– a new idea, bring your spare seeds to the shop on Sundays & do a swop, the shop is now open 10am-12pm from 15th March.

Work party– come & join fellow plot holders to clear overgrown areas & rubbish on Sunday 10th May 10-12pm, 1-3pm and Sunday 17th 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, refreshments provided.

Free-Bean Poles available from recent coppicing at the nature reserve, please help yourself from next to the reserve.

Free-Big pile of wood chip in the car park on Cricket Road, come & help yourselves.

Shop News March 2020

The first delivery of Potatoes was a big success, and we sold the last bag on the weekend of 23rd Feb.  The shop volunteers pointed out that I hadn’t communicated the reason for the new plan for potato sales this year, so apologies for that:  Last year we bought about 250kg of Potatoes and had to throw away 30kgs unsold.  So this year we decided to buy less, and buy in 2kg bags (and sell only in whole kilo’s), so we’d have less wastage.  This seems to have worked well so far.  

The second delivery of potatoes arrived this week, so we now have Duke of York (1st Early), Charlotte (Salad & 2nd Early), Nadine (2nd Early), Cara, Desiree and Orla (all Maincrop) varieties in the shop, ready for the weekend of 1st March.

As March is upon us, the shop opening times are a changing.  As always, during March and April, the shop will be open from 10am until 12 noon.  

Shop News – Feb 2020

With spring rapidly approaching we’ve exciting new things in the shop .

Bags of steam sterilised, composted Manure, at £5.50 each,

3.6m x 150mm x 22mm planks, at £6 each (perfect for paths or for quick borders on raised beds), and 2.4m x 125mm feather edge boards, at £2 per plank (for repairing shed walls/doors). We’ve already sold out of the thicker 6″ x 2″ planks, for making raised beds. Let the shop know if you’d like us to buy more.

Also, with Valentines day nearly upon us, it’s time for Potatoes. We’re expecting our delivery this week, to go on sale this Sunday 16th Feb. This year we will be stocking Duke of York, Charlotte, Nadine, Cara, Desiree and Orla varieties at £1.10 per kilo. Potatos will be in 2kg bags, sold as a whole or half bag.

Shop opening times are 11am until Noon on Sundays, until March, when they will open from 10am until Noon, until the end of April.

Update:

Sadly the Duke of York and Orla varieties weren’t available yet, so will be delivered in a week or so. Until then it’s just Charlotte (Salad), Nadine (2nd Early), Cara and Desiree (Main Crop) in the shop.

Fruit Sale & Pruning Talk

Andy Howard of the Heritage Fruit Tree Company will be making a return visit to EWAA on Saturday 21st March between 10-12pm. Andy’s talk on pruning was much appreciated last year and he has agreed to offer this again when he brings along fruit trees and bushes for sale.

A stock list will be made available in due course so that members are able to pre-order for delivery on the day.

Training Courses for Pruning & Grafting with Andy Howard for January/February

Training Course 1– Winter Pruning- Saturday 11th January from 10.30am to 4pm in Twyford, Adderbury.

Join experienced Fruit tree and Orchard Pruner and the Owner of the Heritage Fruit Tree Company- Andy Howard for a day’s training course, to learn the theory and practice of Winter Pruning for Apple and Pear Trees, learn the different methods to shape trees, to control their size, influence their productivity & when to apply techniques. Learn the difference between summer & winter pruning. Gain confidence to apply to your own orchard, garden or community orchard.

Price: £50 per person for MSOG members & £60 for non-members Please pay by bank transfer to reserve a place or call to pay by card: Please email to johoward@metronet.co.uk for details

You will need to bring a packed lunch, tea & coffee will be provided on the day.

Training Course 2- GRAFTING Saturday 25th January 2020, from 11am to 3pm(including lunch break) at Twyford, Adderbury.

Learn the theory & practice of grafting & take home 2 x fruit trees that you will make yourself from a choice of rootstocks and heritage variety Scion-wood. You will be learning from Hands on Grafter and owner of Heritage Fruit Tree Company Andy Howard. Price £50 per person for MSOG members & £60 for non-members, payment & booking details above.

You will need to bring a packed lunch and tea & coffee provided on the day

Training Course 3- Winter Pruning Course 2 -Sunday 2nd February 2020 10.30am to 4pm at Felden Forest Farm, Frankton, Rugby, Warks, CV23 9PD

Join experienced Fruit Tree and Orchard Pruner Andy Howard for a day’s training course in George Brownings orchard with a variety of younger & older trees in varying states of pruning needs, you will see different pruning strategies used on site and much more. Please bring a packed lunch, tea & coffee supplied on the day.

Price per person £50 for MSOG members & £60 for non-members. Payment details as above. For all 3 courses book early to avoid disappointment, as it is a first come first serve basis. All courses are subject to a minimum number of places being booked.

The Heritage Fruit Tree Company Tel 01295 810516 Mob 07950006813 www.heritagefruittrees.co.uk

Hedgehog Talk by Hugh Warwick on 12th November

How to help hedgehogs with Hugh!

Would you like to learn more about the nation’s favourite mammal and how you can help them this autumn?

Come along for an evening of hedgehog fun with the fantastic Hugh Warwick, aka ‘Hedgehog Hugh’!
Hugh is an ecologist, writer and local Oxford celeb, with a particular passion for hedgehog conservation.

The talk will run for approximately 45 minutes, and there will be a chance to ask Hugh questions too.
Please reserve your free tickets on Eventbrite https://naturehoodhedgehogsflopark.eventbrite.co.uk

Family-friendly. This venue is wheelchair accessible.

Naturehood is a wildlife project which aims to bring communities together to act for wildlife in their local area.
To learn more visit https://naturehood.uk

Hedgehog event Flo Park.pdf