Spring 2024

Hi all,

I hope you are all well, and finally with some sunshine members can play catch up on the plots!

Speen Fete is to be held on 8th June this year and again we will be holding a stall there. As in past years, we would welcome donations from members of plants, packets of seeds, unwanted gardening equipment (in good condition) etc to sell on the stall.

We have also applied for a grant to instal standpipes across the site due to the recent water problems on site, especially as the natural supply has already dried up once this year, leading to trustees needing to fill the tanks at the top of the plots. We are unsure whether the housing development in the top field has in someway affected this, or whether it is just the result of hotter and drier summers. We will continue to monitor the situation as the season progresses.

For 2024, we are also introducing the Young Gardeners’ Awards. These have been specifically designed to encourage children on the plots to grow their own food or flowers. There are two age groups, 3 to 7 and 8 to 12. To participate, children must be registered for the awards by the plot holder (children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews etc of plot holders are all eligible to take part. You will need to allow a space of 1m squared for 3- to 7-year-olds, and up to 2m squared for 8- to 12-year-olds. Children may grow whatever they wish, and a little bit of help is allowed from mum, dad, grandma or grandad etc, but most of the work should be the child’s.  Prizes for the best garden in each age group will be awarded at the annual barbeque alongside the adult cups.

Happy gardening everyone!