Shepherds Hill Allotments

Centenary Produce Show
Thanks to everyone who came and contributed and helped at our Centenary Produce Show.  It was a great success, with some impressive exhibits, and a lovely sociable community event.  A special thanks to Juliet and her helpers for all their organising, and to Gary Sycamore and Ruth Pavey for their judging, and Gary for his beautiful display, pictured above.
 
Arthouse screening of Ian’s film “Where we Grow”
Tickets for the first screening on 21^st October are now sold out.  There are still some tickets available for the December 10^th screening; these will be on sale in the Barn this coming Sunday 4^th October 1 – 3pm. 
 
Reminders

• More volunteers are needed for the communal compost working parties.  Please keep an eye out for emails about the next one and volunteer if you can (and you will then also be able to have some of the good compost being produced).
• Reminder to let us know if anyone would like to join the Barn Events WhatsApp group.  We currently have about 20 members and between us, as and when we can, volunteer to make cakes, bread, soup, etc. for Barn lunches.  We have a policy of reimbursing volunteers for ingredients.  If you would like to join and help on an ad hoc basis, we would love to hear from you, please write in to info@
• We have had complaints about overhanging branches along the main paths, sometime injuring people as they walk by.  Please make sure you keep any growth near the path well pruned throughout the year, particularly blackberries.
• Please make sure that if you use the SHA wheelbarrows they are returned to their bay in the trading shed car park and not left on your plot.  
• A reminder from our insurance company that in the event of us making a claim for stolen items from sheds after break-ins, they require proof that the shed was locked.  Our general advice is not to leave any valuables in your shed. 
• And a reminder that if you are considering giving up your plot, you must give notice by the end of November to avoid being charged rent for 2027.

Dates for your diary

• Café at the Barn – Wednesday 14^th October 10.30 – 12.00
• Discussion and Barn lunch – Sunday 1^st November 12.00 – 2.00
• Café at the Barn – Wednesday 11^th November 10.30 – 12.00
• Winter Warmer – Sunday 29^th November 
• Potato Day – Sunday 14^th February

Finally, Bruno (plot 32) has had his 4m aluminium ladder taken from his plot.  If anyone sees it please contact us at info@. And a reminder for everyone to be vigilant about possible intruders on the site.

Thanks to all who came along to enjoy the Brass Band last Sunday and made it such a lovely community event.  And a big thank you to all the players.  Apologies to those who didn’t manage to get lunch, we thought we’d made plenty of salads but were overwhelmed by the demand!  We’re working on our algorithms for quantities for future Barn events!

Communal Compost Area
Thanks also to Liz and Nev and the volunteers who braved the heat and helped with sorting out the composting bays at the last working party.  A reminder to chop up your green waste as small as possible, and not to leave any large branches (nothing thicker than the size of your thumb).  Invasive weeds such as horsetail and bindweed should be killed by drying out in the sun or drowning in a bucket of water, and only then can be added to the compost.

Site Inspection
The Haringey Allotment Officer will be carrying out an autumn inspection in September/October.  Please make sure your plot is inspection-ready: clearly numbered, paths cleared, and that you follow the Haringey guidelines on full cultivation of plots as outlined here.  

Fire Risks
Another reminder during this exceptionally hot and dry weather to not use BBQs or any equipment with an open flame (e.g. camping gas and kettles).   And for smokers to be extra, extra vigilant.

Toilet Update
Our experiment with a site toilet has proved very popular, and the plan is to replace the temporary Euroloo with a permanent one.  We are still exploring the best option but hope to have one as soon as possible in 2027. We will keep you updated on progress.

Dates for your diary
Sunday 30^th August 12.00:  Esther’s ever popular bee talk, followed by Barn lunch.
SATURDAY 12^th September 2 – 4pm: our very own SHA Centenary Produce Show, with tea and cakes. Full details of the event, show categories and how to enter to follow soon.
Sunday 27^th September 12.00: Nevil Yildiz and Jenny Gledhill will facilitate what promises to be a very informative discussion on plant feeding.  Followed by Barn lunch.

Thanks to everyone who came along to the summer picnic.  It was a lovely evening, with some great musical entertainment.
 
Reminders

• If you are using SHA wheelbarrows please make sure you return them and don’t leave on your plot. 
• There have been more reports of stolen produce – blackcurrant, apricot, gooseberry bushes stripped bare. This is very upsetting so please do keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and report any thefts to info@ 
• Tenants are reporting problems with bushes and trees from adjoining plots casting shade on their plot.  A reminder that bushes and trees over 3 metres should be pruned. 
• If you are buying loose produce from the trading shed, please bring your own bags/containers if possible.

Food Bank Collections
If you have an excess veg and fruit on your plot you could  donate it to the food bank. Please don’t pick it too early. The produce will be collected by the foodbank at midday on a Tuesday. The first collection will be on 21st July. Produce collected on Tuesday will be given out by the food bank on a Thursday so please bear this in mind. It would be a waste for fresh produce to go off. Many thanks.
 
Dates for the diary:
Sunday 9^th August 1 – 3pm: Brass band, with lunch in the Barn served from 12.30. 
Wednesday 12^th August 10.30 – 12.00: Café at the Barn
Saturday 12^th September: Centenary produce show.  More details to follow.