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.