Grow Greener with Garthdee Field Allotments Association

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Randall MacLennan

Some sad news.

We’re sorry to announce the passing on 31 October of another long-serving plotter. Randall (Plot 94B) took on plot 94 in 1989 but for several years before that he helped his father-in law Norman McLeod who held the plot. Randall was kind-hearted, loved the outdoors and had a soft spot for all birds and animals many of whom he rescued when they were hurt or in distress.

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He grew some fine produce in his time and when I had just started plotting I would occasionally come across a bag of quality carrots and the like hanging on the handle of our front door. Perhaps it made me a little jealous but it inspired me to emulate his example. He was 77 and latterly suffered from a very aggressive form of Alzheimer’s.

Stuart

TAMS Dividend for 2016

The TAMS – The Allotment Market Stall Project team have been in touch to tell us that we contributed more than ever to their collections and sales this season and so earned a gross dividend of £381.62 which means our GFAA funds benefit to the tune of £286.21 net after the usual deduction to support the TAMS operations.  Needless to say, this makes a great and regular contribution to our funds for essential site maintenance.  Huge thanks are due to all who contributed surplus produce over the year.

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Spending a penny….

… soon to be easier than ever, as work gets underway to install our new (but still compostable) disabled toilet.

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Success Story – IYN

We were delighted to hear this last week that GFAA retained our “Outstanding” grading within the It’s Your Neighbourhood national assessment exercise this year.  Here are some of the things our assessors had to say about our efforts and projects:

“The energetic and innovative Garthdee Field Allotment Association members work tirelessly to improve and develop their site whilst engaging with a range of partners and funders. The site is a model of good practice, with meticulous planning and execution.”

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Our assessors also noted these areas of special achievement:

  •  The ambitious south bank project – a major undertaking which is developing successfully.
  •  The drive and enthusiasm of the committee and members to keep moving forward and introducing new projects to enhance their site.
  • The wide range of partnerships and networking which brings welcome funding, supports different sectors of the community, and secures the viability and sustainability of the site.
  • The use of social media to publicise the work of the group and keep members and volunteers informed of progress. 

    We were also pleased that the assessors noted an overall improvement in the condition of many of our plots and recognised this with a higher score for gardening than we have been awarded in the past.  Thanks are due to all of our plotters who contributed by looking after their own plots and helping with work on verges and paths and around the site generally.  Likewise, this year we have had more help from plotters on Community Sundays and from our small, but growing band of volunteers from ACVO and the wider community.

A copy of the full report is attached – iyn-garhdee-2016

TESCO Bags of Help Voting

Hi everyone,
StuartGarthdee Field Allotments Association has been shortlisted by Tesco to receive a grant as part of their Bags of Help Initiative. The scheme will see three community groups and their projects in our area awarded grants of £12000, £10000 and £8000 all raised from the 5p bag charge. The public now have the opportunity to vote in store to decide who should receive which of the three grants. The project with the most votes will receive £12000 followed by £10000 and then £8000.
Voting from 31st Oct to 16th Nov
Here are the stores where customers can vote:-
Pittodrie Express   AB24 1SA
Aberdeen Great Western Rd Express AB10 6PA
Aberdeen Union Street Express  AB11 6DB
Aberdeen Holburn Street Express  AB10 6BL
Aberdeen South  AB12 3DN
Aberdeen North Deeside Express AB15 9SX
Aberdeen Woodend  AB15 6LT
Dyce Aberdeen Express  AB21 0ET
Aberdeen Great Northern Express AB24 2AX
Aberdeen Extra  AB22 8HB
Westhill  AB32 6UF
Tesco shoppers will be given a token with every transaction and encouraged to vote for the project they would like to see receive funding. Please vote for us and spread the word to your friends too.
Stuart

A little bad news

I was sorry to get this bad news from Sonya by email earlier this week:

Last Saturday, I went up to my plot (97b) with the intention of removing some bags of weeds to take to the municipal skip. Unfortunately, I slipped on the concrete paving and broke my leg and ankle bones in 3 places and will require an op to put pins in. It had been lightly raining, earlier, and I think it was a small clod of mud that I slid on, despite wearing stout shoes. It happened all so fast.

Anyway, I was wondering if you could put something on the website about safety (esp with wintry weather on the way) and advising other plotters to be careful. I wouldn’t wish this upon anyone. I am just thankful I had my friend with me as there was no one else about and I could have been stuck there, for a while, esp as I don’t have a mobile phone!

Sonya’s is a wee reminder that mishaps are only ever a step away and we all need to take care when on site or working on our plots. I am sure we will all wish Sonya all the best for a speedy recover and return to her plotting as soon as possible.

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