News – Page 65 – Garthdee Allotments

It’s a drooked disaster!

On June 30, 2016

Our Kaimhill Primary 2 visitors got a drooking coming along the Deeside Line this afternoon and had to turn back and abandon their visit. What a shame. :-(

However, Mrs Rough brought along Irene and Kelsey to present us with a lovely set of thank you letters and a very special present – the GFAA Site Owl. I think you will agree it’s rather special.

We have hosted over a dozen Kaimhill Primary visits this season and all of them have been a pleasure. We look forward to welcoming more again in the coming session.

Powering forward with Primary 3/4

By Norman

On June 29, 2016

In Events, News, Photos

Mr Murray and his Primary 3/4 Class visited yesterday and helped do a power of work, weeding, helping on the Macmillan Charity Plot paths and learning about fruit and veggies.

A big thanks to everyone!

It’s a Primary Scorcher!

By Norman

On June 23, 2016

In Events, News, Photos

We welcomed Ms Walker and her Primary 3 class on site for the last of their five visits today. As always they were as keen as mustard and a real credit to Kaimhill School.

Setting up for the stone painting activity took a fair bit of work in the heat, but the results certainly made it all worthwhile.

While half the class helped with the stone painting that will become part of our Britain in Bloom 50th Anniversary display, the others helped barrow chips on to the MacMillan Plot for their paths – hot and thirsty work for sure.

We have only one more week of visits this year, on Tuesday and Thursday at 1.30, but we are a bit short-handed on both days: if you could lend a hand to help supervise activities please get in touch.

Nesting Boxes

By Norman

On June 20, 2016

In News, Photos

Our Garthdee Field site is a wonderful open space, existing as it does so close to the city centre. It is also a haven for lots of wildlife, not least the very many birds that live on and around it. It’s been great to see more and more plots encouraging small birds to nest on them – in all sorts and shapes of nest boxes.

We have all had reason to curse the pigeons and crows that seem to get cleverer every year in the battle for our brassicas, but having the smaller song birds about is a real pleasure. Not every box can expect to attract residents, but this year Sandy has been doubly lucky with a brood of Bluetits on site by his clematis and, better still, a family of wrens – who have taken up home in the most unusual of nesting spots.

If anyone who can offer advice on the building of nest boxes and their positioning – it would be great to hear from you.

New Camera

By Norman

On June 20, 2016

In Equipment, News

With funding from Aberdeen Greenspace we have been able to buy a Nikon Coolpix P900. This is a consumer style camera, so easy to use, but especially designed for taking closeup shots of flowers and insects and longer range wildlife photos. Our bid to AG stressed use to improve the quality of wildlife and nature pictures on our website.

The P900 can be borrowed and used by any association (GFAA) member willing to take photos for website publication. If you can help taking some photos please contact Norman (Plot 81) in the first instance to arrange to borrow the P900. I’ll be pleased to offer a wee introduction to its features if necessary.

BBQ in the Sunshine

By Norman

On June 19, 2016

In Events, News, Photos

We got very lucky with today’s BBQ and the weather stayed fine for the duration. GFAA was pleased to welcome friends from TAMS and The Macmillan Charity on the day. The raffle and donations on the day raised £210 for Macmillan funds. Special thanks go to Gill for all her hard work organising things.