ROEHAMPTON GARDEN SOCIETY
FOUNDED 1873
MONTHLY BULLETIN
January 2010
www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk
Chairman’s Report
I hope that you all had a very happy Christmas and wish everyone a prosperous and fruitful New Year.

You will receive your new WBC tenancy agreement in early January. Please ensure that you return the completed and signed form, as explained in the covering letter, as this is a requirement of the Agreement. The updated RGS Rules, which work in tandem with the new agreement, are attached.

We had a very enjoyable AGM in November. My heartfelt thanks to Jenny Cobb, Barbara McCall, Pip Melotte, Georgina O’Reilly, Mariangela Renshaw and George Scandrett for their help in providing the ‘nibbles’ – and most particularly to Pat Davis who not only provided sausage rolls and mince pies of a most delicious nature, but also the most divine mulled wine. My thanks too to all the volunteers who cleared the Hall with such efficiency after the meeting.

The November plot inspections highlighted how well most plots are tended – well done. As explained in my last report, the plots identified as requiring attention before our next inspection in March are listed later in the Bulletin: tenants who are at risk of breaching their agreement have been written to.

Can I please draw your attention to the need to maintain the integrity of paths between plots: we will be taking this

into account at our inspection in March. And PLEASE can you all number your plots! The necessary kit can be purchased at the Store for very little.

Paula Alderson, Carol Martinez and I attended WBC Allotment meeting on 26 November. This is our opportunity, as representatives of the RGS, to make your voice heard – and to meet with other Site Managers and share ideas and concerns. The talk was of the pressure of demand for allotments across the Borough and how this will impact on the management of sites.

To those of you with plots on Site 2 – sorry! The path is awaiting repair following the water enabling works but the weather has been against us.

I hope that you enjoy planning for the new growing season – happy winter.

Reports from the 2009 AGM (23 November)

Chairman’s Report
1. Business
1.1. WBC has issued a new tenancy agreement that will be distributed to all plotholders shortly. Each tenant will have to complete and sign a form stating that they have read and agree to abide by the terms of the new agreement. The new agreement and the revised RGS Rules will inform the Society in its management of the Sites and individual plots therein. From October this year, plot size will be limited to 5 rods per household for all new tenants; this will not be applied retrospectively.

1.2. Site 2 will shortly be connected directly to mains water. This water will be metered and a charge for usage will be levied. In order to cover the costs as equitably as possible the Committee has decided to charge all plotholders on both sites a water rate of £1 per rod initially. This will be collected with the annual rent and will be reviewed after 3 years. We urge all plotholders to be aware of water as a precious resource and to use it judiciously.

1.3. Due to the length of the waiting list, that now runs at approximately 4 years – despite many plots being split into smaller plots as they become vacant, we will have to apply the rules regarding plot maintenance rigorously during the plot inspections.

1.4. The RGS is on the Open Gardens website. Unfortunately, we will not be able to participate in 2010 as the dates clash with the June Show and half-term but will do so in 2011. The RHS held its first dig together weekend this year – we hope to participate next year – volunteers permitting.
2. Pleasure
2.1. Now that the RGS is in a safe place (thanks to the tremendous effort and commitment of Paula and other members of the Society); and interest in gardening and demand for allotments ensures that it will remain so for the foreseeable future, it is time to reinvigorate the social side of the Society’s life. The Show sub-Committee has agreed to take this under its wing and Mariangela outlines ideas in her report. We held a new plotholders party on 5 July and next year the Committee will extend the invitation to all plotholders as an opportunity to meet and talk to enthusiasts and members of the Committee

We will keep you posted on future events via the Bulletin and website – which is now up and running again after a number of hacking incidents – many thanks to Tom Hancock for his sterling work rectifying the problem.

2.2. WBC held its annual river cruise celebration for the Wandsworth in Bloom initiative recently. All plotholders entered in the best allotment competition were invited to join other gardeners and prizewinners on a trip up and down river when the award ceremony was carried out followed by supper. Many thanks to Wandsworth for their continuing commitment to a green borough.
2.3. On Guy Fawkes Night a successful bonfire was held on Site 2 on 5 November – many thanks to Alan Rake and other volunteers for their excellent work. It gave a lot of joy to the children who were there, so next year we will try to make more of a party of it.

Finally, many thanks to members of the Committee and my Vice Chairman for their unstinting support and hard work during the year and to the many volunteers without whom the Society would struggle to survive – here’s to next year and continuing success.
3. The new Constitution
This was circulated with the last Bulletin and was accepted by the Society at the AGM.
4. Election of the Committee
Sadly, Leslie Harvey resigned from the Committee earlier this year. I would like to thank him for his great contribution to the Committee and for his continuing support to the Society – he is greatly appreciated for his advice, knowledge and humour.

All other Officers, Executives and Members have agreed to continue for
the following year and were re-elected. (See attachment 1).

The Committee has decided to make Pat Burke, Clifford Pope and Derrick Ratcliffe life members, for their service and commitment to the Society over many years. Pat has served as Treasurer, Minutes’ Secretary, Store Manager and Committee member over many years; Clifford managed the provision of toilets on both sites from inception to completion and has worked with WBC to develop an allotment bee-keeping policy. And Derrick has managed the measuring and letting of plots and served on the Committee for many years – and he understands Rods. Our thanks to them all. Shirley Gillbe

Treasurer’s Report
The Roehampton Garden Society remains in a stable and satisfactory financial position with accrued reserves of £8248.78 and sufficient working capital in the current account to meet foreseeable needs. The allotment account also has sufficient capital to meet any likely expenditure between now and April when the next rents will be collected. The shows do little more than break even after all expenses have been taken into account and this has only been made possible by the generosity of St Margaret’s Church in permitting us a significant discount on the published hall rental fees. The store continues to provide a regular surplus for the Society and this secures the financial stability of the Society and permits the occasional social event. Charles Gillbe

Trading Secretary’s Report.
This year our turnover and profit both increased slightly despite the recession and the difficulties in delivery of supplies caused by the connection of the water mains and the consequent deterioration of the access road. Overall this was a good result and the store now has more lines in stock than ever before. All orders for potatoes, onions and shallot sets must be in by January 10 for dispatch to Tuckers. Alan Rake

Show Sub-Committee report
The two annual shows are going from strength to strength, with even more new exhibitors this year; and the quality and variety of the produce exhibited often exceptional and inspirational to everyone who visited the Shows.

Both Shows attracted many visitors and engendered great community spirit. This sense of community is not easy to achieve in London and is a good reason to ensure that the Shows perpetuate. We were delighted to welcome our President, Justine Greening MP, to the Summer Show. She is a great supporter of our Society and a keen gardener and we greatly appreciate the interest she takes in our activities.

The teas represent a major attraction at the Shows and we wish to express our thanks to Judith Glaysher and Pat Davis for the enormous effort they put into making this particular aspect of the Shows such a success.

The Show Sub-Committee strives to uphold the high standard that has been established, and for possible innovation to add variety. This year we introduced an auction towards the end of the Show. Produce was donated by exhibitors and sold to the highest bidders. It proved to be a great success and a very good money-spinner as well as being fun – so we will be doing the same again next year.

The Society held the first ever RGS Gardeners’ Question Time on 5 April. This proved such a success that we held another on 12 September, immediately before the Autumn Show. Thanks, in particular, must go to Georgina O’Reilly who had the idea and made it happen, and to our panellists – Paula Alderson, Leslie Harvey, Alan Rake and George Scandrett who answered everyone’s questions so comprehensively and knowledgeably. This will be repeated next year. We are also considering devising a quiz and asking our cookery judge, Marion Coates, to give us a flower arranging class. If anyone has any ideas for social activities please let me or one of the Committee know.

We very much appreciate Marion, who judges the cookery section of every show and will not take any payment.

Last year we asked some local businesses to advertise in the Schedule and this created an extra source of revenue for the Society. Next year we will consider seeking some form of sponsorship and re-introducing advertisements in the Schedule to help make the Shows more profitable.

Finally, thanks to everyone for their contribution to the success of the Shows. Particular thanks must go to George Scandrett who judges the Shows skilfully and fairly and continues to offer advice and guidance to the Show Sub-Committee; Charles Held for his invaluable help in transporting everything between the Store and the Church Hall, and back – we could not manage without him; all the volunteers on the day who help in a myriad of different ways with great good will and good humour and make it all great fun and of course the exhibitors – without you there wouldn’t be a Show. Mariangela Renshaw

Allotment Secretary’s Report
Some members of the allotment fraternity have assisted a local charity, Catch 22 that supports children having difficulties at school by allowing them access to their allotments and showing them the joy of growing plants.

The Youth Offenders Team (Y.O.T.) at W.B.C. have given valuable assistance during the past few months by clearing plots that have become available for letting but were in bad condition.

Site 2 has 77 plots and Site 3 141 plots, with 190 plot-holders. There is 1 plot available for letting on Plot 3. Currently, 144 people are on the waiting list and anyone joining the list is being advised that they will probably wait 3 to 4 years to get a plot. In addition, there is a long-term waiting list of people who have been offered a plot but have decided to decline the offer but want to remain on the waiting list – this list contains approximately 29 people. Derek Ratcliffe

Annual Awards 2009 Presented by the President Justine Greening, MP
The President, Justine Greening MP, presented the cups and trophies for 2009. Attachment 2 lists the winners of the cups and trophies and categories for which they were awarded. A special mention must be made of Pat Davis who excelled in all categories with her roses, flowers, fruit and vegetables and with her cookery. Many congratulations to Pat.

Justine Greening, presenting Pat Davis with one of her many prizes.

Paula Alderson (see her story below), Robert Linton and Mariangela Renshaw also need special congratulations on their significant successes.

The presentation was followed by an enjoyable social evening with food and mulled wine.

Shirley Gillbe Chairman, Sheila Konig Secretary & Mariangela Renshaw Joint Chairman of the Show Committee managing the prize giving
The Society’s Cups
Anyone who has attended an AGM in recent years cannot but be impressed with our spectacular collection of silver cups and trophies. Although, at times, they are a responsibility and have to be insured for quite a cost, they reflect the history of the society.

Our Bulletins and other publications bear an attribution ‘Founded 1873’. There is no direct archival evidence for this but, at Battersea Local History Library, there is indirect evidence. The first minutes of the Roehampton Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society in the 1980’s (now available for perusal in the library), refer to its foundation in 1893, as do, for example, the 50-year anniversary celebrations in the 1920’s.

The Roehampton Horticultural and Cottage Garden Society was, by its title, its minutes and its activities, an organisation administered by the owners of the large houses, called at the time “suburban villas”, with their grand gardens and their gardeners. Accounts are given of their day- of long shows, more like fairs, and their splendid prizes including cups.
The Roehampton Estate Garden Society was founded in 1922, at the start of the development by the LCC of the Roehampton Estate that included from the start, its three allotment sites. The members of the two societies, the grander of the two now merely called the Roehampton Horticultural Society, did not mix. But, by the 1950’s, after WW2, both Societies were suffering from a lack of enthusiasm and in 1957, in a spirit of genuine friendship, they merged. The Roehampton Horticultural Society transferred their remaining funds and contributed most of the cups. The Roehampton Estate Society provided a meeting place and three allotment sites. The newly constituted Society was called the Roehampton Garden Society.

Imagine, this year, my pleasure, on receiving two cups the Miguel Lacroze Memorial Challenge Cup, contributed by the Roehampton Horticultural Society and the Davis Memorial Cup contributed by the Roehampton Estate Garden Society, first awarded in 1928, the year I was born. Paula Alderson

National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Limited
www.nsalg.org.uk
Do look at the NSALG website, it is full of interesting information. Under News there is a very sad item about the hedgehog being an endangered species. Some 20 years ago a mother hedgehog built a nest in our garden and nurtured 2 baby hedgehogs. Eventually, she became aware of us and moved her brood further into the garden where we lost sight of her. Has anyone seen a hedgehog on the allotments in their garden recently?

Also view the Gallery section that features some photographs of allotments from around the country. Maybe we could instigate an allotment photographic competition for future Shows?

REMINDER: The Store is open each Sunday morning between 10.00 a.m. and noon.
We are still looking for some volunteers to help run the Store on Sunday mornings. If you can help please contact Carol Martinez via the website
www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk
Or leave a message in the Store

Plots requiring attention
Site 2

Site 3
10B
14B
27B
31
32B
38B
40B 51B
62
103B
108B
114B
115A
123B

DATES FOR 2010 DIARY

Chelsea Flower Show (RHS): 25-29 May

RGS Summer Show: 12 June

Open gardens Weekend: 12 June

Hampton Court Flower Show (RHS): 6-11 July

RGS Autumn Show: 4 September

2010 AGM: 25 November at 7.30 pm

Comments, questions to Chair & Committee via the website: www.roehamptonallotments.co.uk

Comments and copy for the next bulletin, by 15 January please, to Pat Dark (tel. 8789 7568) 19 Westhorpe Road, SW15 1QH. patdark13@yahoo.co.uk
Next bulletin available from the store on Sunday 7 February 2010.

R.G.S. Committee elected at 2009 A.G.M. Attachment 1

Officers
The Chairman
Shirley Gillbe
The Vice-Chairman
Carol Martinez
The Secretary
Sheila Konig
The Treasurer
Charles Gillbe
Executives
The Minutes’ Secretary Georgina O’Reilly

The Secretaries of each of the allotment sites Derrick Ratcliffe Georgina O’Reilly
The Trading Secretary Alan Rake

The Chairmen of the Show sub-committee
Mariangela Renshaw and Jenny Cobb
The Bulletin Editor Pat Dark

The Website Editor Shirley Gillbe

Members
Paula Alderson

Mike Cooper

Janet Long

David Rossiter

George Scandrett

Vicky & Robert Donaldson

Attachment 2:

The Annual Awards 2009 presented by our President, Justine Greening, MP

Winner Cup Awarded for
JACKIE SAVAGE THE REV PG WALLIS CUP FOR NOVICES Excellent loganberries
CAROLE SEWELL THE WTF ILES MEMORIAL CUP Best vegetable – her magnificent shallots in Autumn Show
BARBARA McCALL THE SUMMER COOKERY CUP
THE BARBARA DACIE CUP

Flower arrangement in a goblet
ROBERT LINTON DR HOWARD COULTHARD CUP

THE PJ HIGGINS CUP
Best vegetable – his magnificent broad beans in the Summer Show
Most points for fruit in both Shows
JACKIE PIERCE WILLIAMS THE LADY CORRY CUP Best rose in Summer Show
PAULA ALDERSON THE DAVIS MEMORIAL CUP

THE GARDEN NEWS SHIELD
THE DR MIGUEL LACROZE CUP Most points for vegetables in both shows
Most prize money in the vegetable section
Best exhibit in the fruit section
MARIANGELA RENSHAW THE BANKSIAN MEDAL
NATIONAL DAHLIA SOCIETY MEDAL
THE LADY HUDSON CUP
THE PERCY BARNES MEMORIAL CUP
LONDON GARDEN SOCIETY CERTIFICATE Most prize money

Bowl of roses
2 vases of dahlias

Runner up of the flower section in the summer show
LESLIE HARVEY THE MARGARET HODGE TROPHY The best kept allotment over two visits
DERRICK RATCLIFFE THE HUGH & MARIE JENKINS TROPHY Highest number of prizes but no major award
RACHEL FELSTEAD THE TOMMIE NOON CUP 5 different vegetables
CAROL MARTINEZ THE DOUGLAS OVERALL CHALLENGE CUP 3 different vegetables and 3 different flowers
RAJ PATEL ROEHAMPTON GARDEN SOCIETY CHALLENGE CUP One kind of flower, fruit and salad vegetable
PAT DAVIS RETA CHALLENGE CUP

THE BEN DANDEY MEMORIAL BOWL

THE JACK HAWKINS CHALLENGE CUP

THE AUTUMN COOKERY CUP
THE BARNES & MORTLAKE HERALD CHALLENGE CUP
THE CENTENARY TROPHY

LONDON GARDENS SOCIETY MEDAL

THE A NORMAN ROGERS CHALLENGE CUP Most points for flowers, vegetables and fruit in both Shows
Highest number of points in the rose section in Summer Show
Vase of 4 or more different flowers at Autumn Show
Most points for cookery in Autumn Show
Vase of 3 or more kinds of cut flowers
Most horticultural points in both Shows
Highest number of points in flower section in Summer Show
Most points for flowers other than roses