NSALG Southern Regional Panel

[Deleted]

Due to some internal politics in the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, I now find myself elected as both the Chairman and Regional Representative for the Southern Region (which includes Gloucestershire). I'm off to a two-day meeting of the Management Committee in Corby on 10th and 11th of this month. I've got to book Diesel into a boarding kennels for two or three days. I had him vaccinated against kennel cough today, which cost £36 and was a quick squirt up his left nostril! Kennels won't accept dogs that haven't had all their vaccinations, and I have never bothered with the kennel cough vaccination before.

[Joe K]

Congratulations, Kay, or should that be commiserations? I know the lure of taking on a position because the next person reluctant to take it on, if there even is one, might do it half-heartedly at best.

So what is this likely to mean for allotments and leisure gardners in Gloucestershire?

[Deleted]

More like the latter, I think. I'm going to have to drive to Corby, as the very first train in the morning wouldn't get me to the railway station till 11.10am, and the meeting starts at 10.30am. It also means putting Diesel into kennels for four days; I couldn't speak to Cheltenham Animal Shelter today, as their phone was busy all the time, and I'm just hoping that they have space for him in their boarding kennels.

[Joe K]

That does sound like a major pain. Good luck with the kennels.

[Deleted]

Diesel is now booked into Cheltenham Animal Shelter's boarding kennels for Wednesday to Friday. It was the last kennel place available. I've got to collect him before 7pm on Friday (or get a friend to), as they need the kennel for Saturday. I discovered at the end of May that BJ Kennels in Churchdown is booked up for three months ahead in the summer. I think that there must be a gap in the market for boarding kennel provision; I realise that there are costs involved, but surely there is room for another boarding kennels in the Gloucester area. BJ charge £18 per day or part day, and Cheltenham Animal Shelter charge £13. I assume that Teckels charge something similar. There don't seem to be any other boarding kennels anywhere near here.

[Deleted]

I can't give details, but this whole Regional Rep thing is a poison chalice. You would not believe the arguments that are going on behind the scenes. Still, I'm going to stick to my guns and represent the society members in my region.

[Joe K]

I might have an inkling...

You probably know more than most about how politics, be it party political or otherwise, creeps into contested issues. The people who swear they don't care about anyone's politics tend to be the most clueless. Best be very aware of it, but keep it at arm's length.

[Deleted]

It appears that someone who attended the Southern Region AGM and voted had no right to vote. This has caused problems that are yet to be sorted out. Honestly, the lengths that some people will go to in order to get one up on the opposition!

[Deleted]

Well, the voting problems have now been sorted out. I am still Regional Rep, but I'm actually quite glad that someone else is Chairman. There's quite enough for a Regional Rep to do without carrying out a second job as well.

I've just spent a few hours at the Malvern Autumn Gardening Show, promoting the NSALG and vegetable growing. The stand was run by a couple from Cheltenham, and I was so impressed with the way that they had laid it out; there were examples of numerous vegetables and some real eggs and fake hens. The stand had won third prize in the Harvest tent (which was huge, in case you're wondering). The whole place was absolutely heaving. I had a chance to look around the rest of the showground, and I was very disappointed that there were far too few gardening related exhibitors. There were also far too many people selling clothes, crafts and bric-a-brac. I only wanted to purchase some Gardener boots, which are made by Gates, the same company that makes Hunter and Argyll, but there was not a pair in any size to be found anywhere at the show. Still, I did get a good tip on something that I'm going to grow next year - apparently cucamelons are absolutely lovely, and really easy to grow; and now you're wondering what the heck cucamelons are - well, it seems that they are related to cucumbers, native to Mexico and Central America, hardy for growing outdoors in Britain, and very productive over a long fruiting season. I can't believe that I've never heard of them before.

[Joe K]

So, what area does regional rep cover again? Things seem pretty quiet in Gloucester, except maybe at the balancing pond allotments...

[Deleted]

I have yet to see an exact job description, but there is various stuff in different places that supposedly says what a Regional Rep is expected to do. For instance, I can act as an advocate for members in disputes. I also sit on the Management Committee.

[Deleted]

Well, I've done my best to improve things, but I seem to be banging my head against a brick wall. I've not actually been allowed to help members who are having problems with allotments associations or councils (because we mustn't rock the boat). So much for the promise to prospective new members that they can call upon the assistance of their regional rep. Therefore, just this week, I have gone rogue.

I have been trying to get information out of Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council since 27th July, so far to no avail. Please feel free to put in FOI requests yourself, particularly covering the lack of information about allotments on their website and the fact that their website is always out-of-date. You'll have to email the parish clerk because they are not on whatdotheyknow.com.

[Joe K]

Yes, I can see that might be a problem. I might have a go at putting a request to the county council, and see what they have to say about it. I'll be busy 'til the evening now, though, and I might only get a good bit of time on the 'puter on Sunday afternoon...

[Deleted]

It's nothing to do with the county council. You could ask Stroud District Council if they are aware that the parish council website is always out-of-date, despite the money that is given from council tax specifically for the upkeep of the website. Talking of which, I see that the website has recently been updated. The agenda for 4th November has been added - which should have been viewable in late October. This agenda has the astonishing piece of information on it that says that there was a special meeting of the council on 17th October. This wasn't advertised, and of course no-one who wasn't part of the 'in crowd' would have known about it. I have no idea what it discussed, as neither the agenda nor the minutes for that meeting have been placed on the website. This is clearly the way that things have been going at Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council for some years.

[Deleted]

Even better, though, I see from the recently added minutes of 7th October, that at least the council has turned down a request for a grant to upgrade the 'community orchard', which is actually a privately rented orchard that seems to have been planted unlawfully on allotment land; although of course I can't be sure that the land is statutory allotment land as they won't answer my FOI request. The 'community orchard' was one of the central disputes that led me to become involved in this mess at Thrupp allotments; it used to be open to everyone till some selfish people were allowed to rent it for themselves and their friends and family, to the annoyance of many other allotment holders.