Chairman's Report to the 2007 AGM

This time last year I began my report by suggesting we pause and take stock on what had been achieved.

• We had a wonderful site for people to walk around and enjoy
• We had 16 Allotment plot holders
• The entrance way, centre circle and a third new flower/shrub bed had been glorious through the year
• Many people had walked around the site and made very favourable comments
• The garden had by then a permanent Water Supply
• and the Pond was progressing well
• We had a ‘gifted' green house that was proving useful
• And the new sign at the entrance to the Community Garden was looking good.
• ‘Compost corner' continued to survive thanks to running repairs and new heaters etc
• The Web Page was terrific and attracted very favourable comments from far and wide.
• Second Christmas raffle was in progress
• We had Networked with a number of organisations inc Barnsley Building Society; Presentation at SNM (national) conference, stand at CBC equality = respect event, etc
• And we had been successful (after previous failed attempts) with Funding Bids for the pond; sensory garden; as well as smaller bids for shrubs/plants for entrance area etc

As I recall, we held the meeting at Ritas and had wine, beer, mince pies etc …

but did we pause …. ?

not a bit of it.

This year even more has been achieved

The Pond, the Bog garden and the Sensory garden together with its unique laburnum walk are by any measures a tremendous success :

As is the generous community spirit , as recorded in the stand we erected for the CBC Equality = Respect / Unity in Community day held in November in Staveley: The willingness to work and help one another which has been a feature of this project since its inception, has continued throughout 2007.

Yes there have been problems; the paths continue to challenge us, as does the wildflower meadow. Furthermore some one chose to use their talents not for constructive purposes but destructive ones and after a number of broken windows it was finally agreed to take down the green house: The stealing of the weed repellent material caused some distress also: And a few comments recorded on the web page were obviously forged in a sad mind: These however are but small set backs within a project that is proving to be an outstanding community success. And it is in the facing of such ‘problems' and transforming them into opportunities that the Community Garden is growing.

People have continued to help the learning disabilities group, as well as the ‘young' lads, with their plots: Not only are they continuing to learn but are feeling valued; … and it is in this light that a real community continues to grow as young and old work and learn together and respect one another! And let it not be forgotten that the young lads and especially the learning disability group contribute so much in their own way back to the site.

Every one here present has been enormously generous helping in so many ways both financially and physically. In particular I would like to pay thanks to:

Ron – our young at heart ‘80 something'; he is an inspiration giving help to both the gardens and other plot holders esp the group with learning disabilities and the even younger allotmenters. He keeps many areas of the site weed and litter free.

Gerry & Carol –website, general help in many other ways including the newly designed hi tec weed killer device

John – treasurer, pond, etc

Rita – secretarial work, paper work for bids etc (that so often can pass unnoticed but without which the project would grind to a halt), compost corner, keeping community payback team ‘happy' with choc biscuits etc,

Mick – for all the support to Ron, pond, bog garden, clearing the brambles etc

Derek, Ian and Learning Disabilities group; flowers for front bed, green house(s), repairs/decoration/furniture in compost corner, water supply.

Bolsover Woodland Enterprise continues to be helpful and have again donated wood chippings for the willow area and of course built the arch for the sensory gardens.

But most of all I want to thank and remember Dec and Yvonne without whom the gardens simply would not have been what they are.

Dec and Yvonne have been keen supporters of the Community Gardens since the very beginning. This is in itself no small achievement because they and other colleagues had experienced the problems which saw the demise of the old allotment association and everyone of the ‘old' allotment holders had serious doubts as to whether it could be done. It was especially good to hear Dec say to Rita last year in his very own manly style, “ ey lass, I didn't think it could be done but you've done it”. Well Rita would be the first to say she hasn't done it but everyone working together has done it, and none more so than Dec and Yvonne.

Two years ago they even bought, a sit on mower and a shed to house it in, solely for use on the community gardens. Dec then undertook to keep the grass cut as well as maintain the mower all out of his and Yvonne's own pockets!!! Yvonne has bought flowers/roses for the different flower beds and Dec has dug/maintained them. Dec almost single handedly dug out the ‘new' site for the pond and bog garden and I remember the fun we had when he told John that he hadn't filled in his site for the pond but merely temporarily put the soil on top! His choice of site (with Ron's help) has been proved right however as it didn't dry out even in the long dry spell experienced earlier this year.

Between them Dec and Yvonne have been instrumental in bringing the gardens to the wonderful state that they are now in.

And Dec was even travelling to represent Mastin Moor Community Gardens at Chesterfield in Bloom when the unexpected happened … Dec was very proud of the community gardens and rightly so And we are very proud of

Dec

Dec was a man's man;

worked in mines really rough,

where life was hard

and the going tough.

Dec had a man's voice

chiselled by circumstance

far underground

amongst noise and violence

Dec had a man's strength

forged at the coal face

both pickaxe and spade

he'd simply embrace

But Dec also had heart

and legacy has left

in the community gardens

where we are bereft,

at the untimely passing

of one who did give

so much of himself

that others might live,

with this beautiful garden

here at Mastin Moor:

Your passing dear friend

has left us more poor.

But the garden lives on

that others might share,

what you helped to mould

from land that was bare.

Thank you from all

who will enjoy without check

this beautiful space

you've helped create dear Dec.

 

Chairman's Report

Good news

………. the old allotment site is once again open for gardeners. It is not only providing allotments however, it is also serving as a community garden for the benefit of everyone in and around Mastin Moor.

Allotments

For over 60 years the site served local residents, providing over 50 allotment plots. However, by the year 2000, increasing vandalism forced the allotment group to disband. Since that time a dedicated group has worked to resurrect the site for the use of everyone and prevent it from being lost to the community.

Community Garden

Times change and our site is no longer simply about the provision of allotment plots. The site is being transformed into a garden that is here for the whole community to share and enjoy. Wheelchair and pram/buggy friendly paths have been laid allowing access around the garden to the many wildlife/bio-diverse features including a wild flower meadow, native British trees/woodland, a willow copse and community orchard.

The Future

Everything is still in its infancy, especially the young trees, replanted hedgerows and wildflower meadow, but this site is being designed with a view to the long-term. To this end, local residents both young and old (and those in-between!) will be able to enjoy and learn about wildlife, nature and the growing of fruit and vegetables as the gardens and trees change and develop through the seasons. Soon birds will begin visiting again and we can look forward to watching them nesting in the years ahead.

Four seats have already been provided for your use and in the future we will be seeking funds to provide more and also raised/sensory beds especially for less able-bodied members. We also want to see the site provide opportunities for people to share their knowledge and experience and for others to learn, thereby enabling us all to live and eat more healthily. Examples of this will include sharing best practice in organic fruit and vegetable growing and in practical terms by the provision of community supported allotment growing plots for non-allotment holders including a communal polytunnel. We hope young people will become involved and perhaps even design and build their own willow structures. Another exciting development will be a scheme enabling local people to plant trees, shrubs and flowers to commemorate important anniversaries events and loved ones, both human and animal. Other developments might include a bog garden/pond area for wild life in a damper part of the site close to the willows. To help achieve these aims and as part of our philosophy of inclusion, we want Adults with Learning Disabilities to train and work on the site thereby enabling them to know and feel that they are making a positive contribution to society and the environment. Their skill levels and quality of life will be improved, thereby enabling them to enjoy more meaningful social relationships and enhance their feelings of self worth. To help achieve this aim, MMAA as a voluntary body is working in partnership with other voluntary as well as statutory bodies including: Staveley Town Council, Stavely Neighbourhood Management and Derbyshire County Council Social Services.

Your Site

This is truly your site. It is for everyone to use and enjoy. To this end please feel free to walk around the site. If you would like to take up an allotment, plant a commemorative tree/bush, need more information or perhaps would like to offer to help in any other way please contact one of the committee members.

 

The Allotment Site

The Plans

Work Begins

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