- The full round up and pictures of the day in our summer bulletin.
- Prize winning entries
- Memories of George Scandrett
Download and read the bulletin here
Centenary Summer Show Bulletin
Category Archives: News
Bruce May
We are sorry to hear of the death of longstanding member and plotholder and Bruce May.
I am sorry to have to announce the death of Bruce May who was a long standing plot holder of plot 102B. His plot was always a delight particularly as it charmingly had a heart shaped narrow grass path at its centre. He was an excellent gardener so, when it became vacant, he was offered plot 103B as additional land. The plot had been horribly neglected but he quickly managed to tame it and made it very productive.
Helen Finch
Bruce was always a pleasant, calm influence on site 3. He helped with plot inspections on several occasions representing the non-committee member of the inspection team. Sadly he was very ill for a couple of years prior to his final demise but his family were able to continue to cultivate his plot and bring produce from the plot for Bruce to enjoy.
He will be missed.
Pictures at an Exhibition
The RGS Centenary Exhibition is in Putney Library from 28th May to 12th June 2022
Part of Wandsworth Heritage week, the exhibition looks at the roots of the RGS, set in local history of its times. There is quite a lot to read, and to see. There are also some lovely paintings of our allotments to see, and Andrew Wilson’s photos of wildlife on our allotments. You are warmly invited to visit. Please do sign the visitor’s book.
Site 2 social space gets an amazing makeover…
A lovely stylish place to meet and enjoy a hot drink – and ideal if it rains! Annie Hardinge and her team have worked hard to make site 2 the place to be. Almost complete, behind the store -so do go and see…
Many, many thanks to Annie and her team: Hannah, Charles, Simon, Trish, Vivian and Greg for all their hard work.
The RGS and Local Schools
In order to make our lovely allotments accessible to children in our area who do not have families with plots or have a garden at home, we often welcome small groups from local schools to visit. Only one school, Paddock, rents a plot but there are visiting groups from other schools. Not only do the children learn about the seasons, the plants and the bugs but sometimes they get a real treat with a difference! Courtney,a pupil at Granard School, wrote:
“On Mondays, we go to the allotments to see all the plants. This week we saw two dogs called Barley and Hugo and a cool cat called Simba. The dogs were cute and friendly to everyone.
When Hugo saw us, he got very excited and started to jump and run around like a raccoon.
Simba the cat is three years old. When Simba saw Barley, he wanted to hunt, but instead he jumped up in the tree. Simba loves going on trips by himself. When he was young, he would squeeze under the gate to reach the allotments. However, now he can’t go under the gate because he is too big. Simba loves going in the trees to look out for food. If you offer him some delicious treats, he will sit down and give you his paw. I like the way he looks. “
with thanks to Jackie Savage
Short Organic Food Growing Course – starting 23rd April
EcoLocal, a Carshalton based charity are running their successful short course to help you to grow your own healthy, organic food without harming the environment.
For further information and to book, visit http://www.ecolocal.org.uk/highlight/organic-food-growing-course/
Comments from past students….
“It’s a great mix of practical and theory so the information goes in twice and ensures you’re more likely to remember!”
“Very knowledgeable tutor”.
“I had only just got an allotment so the 6 lessons were exactly in line with what I needed.”
The course teaches eco-friendly gardening; no-dig methods, crop rotation, organic pest control, making natural fertilisers and more. It’s suitable for beginner and intermediate growers. teaching is a mixture of theory and practice, allowing students to try out the skills they learn, understanding how to plan, so they can make the most of their veg patch or allotment.
Running over 6 Saturday mornings, beginning 23rd April 2022.
The course is face to face outdoors for the practical skills teaching elements, taught on the Carshalton Community Allotments, just a 5 minute walk from Carshalton station. The theory is taught live via Zoom on alternate weeks. More travel information
Getting to know the chickens…
One Monday afternoon in December, when a small group of Granard school children were visiting the Site 2 allotments, Barry was kind enough to introduce them to his chickens. As you can see they were able to hold them and Barry gave the school a dozen fresh eggs which were cooked the following morning. After they had visited the chickens Barry gave a few of the children a ride in a wheelbarrow, ably helped by one of their teachers, Natalya, who is also a plot holder.
The Roehampton Garden Society is 100 years old!
Growing and cultivating never go out of style…..
Throughout 2022 we will be looking at ways to celebrate our centenary. Our allotments were part of the original design for the Doverhouse Estate. You will note that there were 3 areas marked as allotments in the plan. Unfortunately the northernmost and largest site, to the north of Huntingfield Road, was later used for development.
Tom Murphy 1942-2021
Tom Murphy 1942-2021
Just before Christmas we heard of the sudden death of one of our long standing members. Tom Murphy was a well loved character and a friend to many neighbours on site 3. He had been an allotmenteer for over 35 years and would always share advice on growing things. He still used very traditional methods to grow his produce – usually potatoes (double dug and deep trenched) and wonderful cabbages. He cut the grass on the common paths on both allotment sites for many years, fetching petrol for the mower on the bus and walking the mower between sites!
We will miss him.
Bill Young writes this memoir:
We will all remember Tom with some affection. Tom always had a ready smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Even gardening, he was always smartly suited and booted. Several people who were Tom’s immediate neighbours on the allotment, all have their own versions of the following story:
One hot summers day in 2014 – Tom appeared on his allotment dressed as was usual, in a suit, collar and tie. From his shed he produced a coat hanger, then proceed to hang his jacket on that. As the sun was glaring down on him in his shirtsleeves, he started a rummage within his shed, finally he produced a sun-hat. The Australians have a wide brimmed bush hat, complete with dangling corks all along the brim – to ward off the flies. Tom had his own, the Murphy version! Emblazoned on the crown it said GUINNESS, on the brim, numerous small plastic Guinness bottles dangled – to ward off flies. To cap it all, in a fine tenor voice whilst hoeing – he serenaded everyone with the following :- “Old Man River”, “Mississippi Queen” . Capping it off with Johnny Cash’s “I walk the Line” “Folsom Prison Blues” and finally “Ring of Fire”
Post nubila Phoebus
Bill Young 24/12/21
Thrive is looking for Gardening Volunteers
The gardening-for-health charity Thrive is looking for local volunteers.
Thrive’s London hub is based in Battersea Park and throughout the pandemic has continued to help locals – either virtually or in-person, when restrictions have allowed – use gardening for health and well-being. Their plants are often found on sale in their outdoor garden centre.
They are looking for Garden Support Volunteers to “assist the client gardeners and horticultural therapists”. You will need to commit to one day a week, from 9.45am-3.15pm, for at least six months. Volunteers need to be patient and understanding, whilst respecting professional boundaries, and be prepared to work outdoors in all weathers.
If you could consider taking on this worthwhile opportunity, read more here
Store News for November
📚 The store is well stocked with a lovely selection of Kings seeds – all with a 10% discount.
🔮 It’s never too early to think about Christmas gifts for a gardener in your life – perhaps gloves, small hand tools and a pretty packet of seeds? Or plant labels, kneeler and a new watering can? The store has it all!
Please Note: The store will be closed after Sunday 5th December.
All our stock is very competitively priced – check the price list here.
SOW NOW
Remember to sow your over-wintering Sweet Peas, Broad Beans, Peas, shallots and garlic before the cold weather hits.
PLANNING AHEAD
Looking ahead to January 2022 make sure you have your seeds of tomato, pepper, celeriac, celery and aubergines ready to start off on the kitchen windowsill! We have several varieties of tomato seed in stock including some blight resistant ones (Crokini, Mountain Magic and the Organic Koralik). Some people swear by starting their sweet peas in January too.
You will find helpful advice on our website and can plan your whole year using our Planting Calendar here
DIARY DATE: Last date for the store opening is Sunday 5th December
How to grow currant bushes – a workshop
Become an expert on growing all types of currant bushes, at a full day workshop at Carshalton Community Allotments in the New Year. They say:
Currants (including blackcurrants, gooseberries, redcurrants and jostaberries) may be small, but they pack a real nutrition punch. Growing currants gives excellent yields of fruit over many years. Bushes can grow large, but most currants can be trained to grow in smaller spaces and fit into a tiny garden.
The ‘hands on’ workshop is led by Sarah Foss, RHS qualified fruit grower and tutor.
– Learn about types of currants, planting, training and pruning
– Practical experience in winter pruning a variety of currant bushes
– Common pests & diseases and how to reduce damage without resorting to chemical sprays
Date
Where
Cost
Saturday 29th January 2022 10.30-3.30pm
Carshalton Community Allotment SM5 2PW
£38
Advance booking recommended. Visit www.ecolocal.org.uk to book or find out more.