CORONAVIRUS:  What the NAS is doing to help members

The National Allotment Society is working to provide clarity for our members on what the virus outbreak and ensuing impacts will mean for Allotment Holders.  As more information become available, we will be updating our advice to our members, please read the Q & As below on how the outbreak is affecting Allotment Sites and their use.
IMPORTANT - The advice below needs to be read in conjunction with any Regional Guidance introduced by the government that further restricts activity in local areas.

UPDATED 28/07/2020  NAS Q & A  On Allotments and Social Distancing
Protect yourself and your family
We are all living through a crisis, the likes of which the country has not experienced since war time. The community spirit that exists on allotment sites is now vitally important.  Please remember to look out for one another during these very difficult times and take all the steps you can to reduce the risk of contagion from the Covid- 19 virus when you visit the plot.
Covid-19 - The virus that causes COVID 19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.  The droplets are too heavy to hang in the air and they quickly fall and contaminate floors and surfaces.
Smaller airborne particles can remain in the air for some time. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of a person who has Covid-19- hence the 2m social distancing requirement, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.
As lockdown restrictions begin to ease it is important that plot-holders do not drop their guard and remember that those over 70 years of age, regardless of general health are particularly vulnerable and should be limiting any contact with people outside of their household.
Can I still work my allotment during the Covid19 lockdown?
Yes, allotments are a great way of both getting exercise and obtaining food during this crisis.
Can I visit the allotment with my family?
Yes, government guidelines state that you can exercise with members of your household
How long can I stay at the plot?
The Government have now removed the limit on exercise time.
How can I ensure my family’s and everyone else’s safety at the plot?

• Do not attend the plot if you have coronavirus symptoms or a family member is self-isolating, this includes people who need to isolate after returning from holidays abroad.
• Take a flask of hot water, soap and paper towels to the plot with you (cold water will work too).
• Use hand sanitiser (should be 60% alcohol content) before entering the site and opening any gate locks
• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds after closing the lock, dry with a paper towel
• The most effective part of hand washing is the drying using preferably paper towel to remove the layer of dead skin scales - on which virus and bacteria sit. Paper towel to compost heap.
• DO NOT touch your face after using anything that has been touched by other people- use an elbow to work the push taps.
• Wash your hands again for 20 seconds, dry with a paper towel before opening and closing the lock to leave the site
• Use hand sanitiser after closing the lock
• Wash hands when you get home
• Observe “Social Distancing” with each other 2 metres
• If you take your children to the plot, ensure that they stay within its confines and do not run around on communal paths and spaces.
• Do not share tools
• Do not wash your hands in water troughs

Can I drive to my allotment?
Yes you can drive to your allotment
​I am self-isolating or shielding, cannot go to the allotment and worried about losing my plot, what should I do?
Please make sure that you inform your Council Allotment Officer or Allotment Association that you are unable to visit the site, preferably in writing, so that they can make allowances for your situation.

​For the full text of the NAS guidelines follow this link to the NAS website

24 March 2020

Following the instructions around movement and gatherings from the Prime Minister on 23 March 2020, we are consulting with central government but as we understand the situation at the moment it is still permitted to visit your plot, ideally on your own to take daily exercise. It is vitally important that you follow all the advice about social distancing and hygiene in the points below and not gather together in groups on site.
Any plot-holder who is self isolating because a household member is ill with corona-virus must not visit the site. It is important that anyone attending the allotment takes care to stay the appropriate distance from others, avoid body contact and wash hands promptly at home. Do not wash hands or use detergents in water tanks or water butts and please pay attention to notice boards. It is essential that no un-authorised people are allowed onto the plots for the duration of this emergency.
 
Members should take the following precautionary measures:

• If possible keep hand sanitiser in your shed and clean your hands regularly
• Use hand sanitiser or wear gloves before opening and closing any gate locks
• Observe ‘Social Distancing’ with each other 2-3 metres
• Do not share tools
• Minimise the contact with each other e.g. no handshakes
• Do not wash your hands in water troughs
• We recommend that all communal facilities are closed

We are living through a crisis, the likes of which none of us has experienced before, not since war time has the community spirit that exists on allotment sites been more important. Please remember to look out for one another during these very difficult times.

The full text of this NAS statement can be found here. 

The 2nd AGM of The City of Ely Allotments and Gardens Association was held on Monday 9th March 2020 at 7.30 p.m. 
The agenda for the 2020 meeting can be seen here, and the Minutes of the 2019 meeting can be found here. 

The 2019 Awards Evening was held on September 9th. The Mayor of Ely, Michael Rouse presented the trophies and Certificates of Merit were subsequently distributed by the site reps.

Talks this year 
 Peat-free compost Presentation by Catherine Dawson from Melcourt Industries
​
 New Regulations for Control of Rodents.
This is essential information for all tenants, presented by Ken Brown, Vice Chair of the Association. There have been big changes in the way poisons and traps can be legally used. New regulations are now in force with high penalties for non-compliance including large fines and prison terms. See this article on the Info page summarising Ken's talk, or download the file here. 

Award Winners
A J FENN CUP for best allotment in Ely (and winner’s certificate)
Joint winners  Stewart and Teresa Bye –Bridge Fen  and  Colin and Olive Bowles – New Barns 
3rd place certificate: Vala Carter – New Barns   
 
HOLDEN-ROLFE CUP for best small plot (and winner’s certificate)
  Gareth and Bev Owen – Upherds Lane    
 2nd place certificate: Valerie Sims -Upherds Lane
 3rd place certificate: Trevor Brown- Upherds Lane  
 
MICHAEL UNGAR MEMORIAL CUP for best newcomer (and winner’s certificate)  Richard & Svetlana Hayes - New Barns 
2nd place certificate: The Dalton Family - Bridge Fen
Joint  3rd place certificate: Fil and Til Utting Brown- Bridge Fen and Diane Scott and David Watts- Bridge Fen
 
The following  trophies  will be retained by the winners.
 JACK CLARKE TROPHY for best plot on Bridge Fen   Stewart And Teresa Bye 
 MAURICE HOBBS TROPHY for best plot on New Barns Colin and Olive Bowles.
 NIGEL CLARKE TROPHY for best plot on Upherds Lane Gareth and Bev Owen  
JACK KEMP TROPHY for best plot on Back Hill & Canterbury Avenue 
​ Lisa Harbinson 

The City of Ely Allotments Association Awards evening was held on 3rd September  with presentation of trophies by the Mayor, Councillor Mike Rouse.

A J FENN CUP for overall best allotment in Ely:
Joint 1st place: Stewart and Teresa Bye–Bridge Fen & Colin and Olive Bowles–New Barns
3rd place certificate:      Vala Carter–New Barns
HOLDEN-ROLFE CUP for best small plot:
Alan Church–New Barns
2nd place certificate:  Owen Howe–Bridge Fen
3rd place certificate: The Dalton Family–Bridge Fen
MICHAEL UNGAR MEMORIAL CUP for best newcomer:
The Dalton Family–Bridge Fen
Joint 2nd place: David and Dianne Scott–Bridge Fen & Richard and Svetlana Hayes-New Barns
JACK CLARKE TROPHY for best plot on Bridge Fen:
Stewart and Teresa Bye
​MAURICE HOBBS TROPHY for best plot on New Barns:
Colin and Olive Bowles
NIGEL CLARKE TROPHY for best plot on Upherds Lane:
Phil Royle
JACK KEMP TROPHY for best plot on Back Hill & Canterbury Avenue:
Lisa Harbinson
PETER MERTON TROPHY for achievement on Bridge Fen:
Daniel Chucherko
​
Two presentations on aspects of allotment holding were given:

• A talk by Les Turner on the pruning of soft fruit trees, to be followed up by an on-site workshop (demonstration) to be arranged for early next year.
• 'Crop Disease Control on Allotments' by Peter Gladders, a retired ADAS Plant Pathologist. 

Have you heard about the invasive New Zealand flatworm? They might be coming to a garden near you...
Read this article and see the video to be on the lookout for this unwelcome visitor.