Hi Kate (and Raj)

Your peas are looking magnificent ... and are much in need of picking! Can you get to the park to pick them? Otherwise, maybe you want to offer the option to other plot-holders, as it would be a real shame for them to go to waste. Maggie

I can be there on Sunday - look forward to seeing you all then.

Mark

Hi again, Mick tells me there is a 'walk by' planned of Queens Park Committee at 10.00 o'clock next Wednesday. Is there any chance one of you could be at the plots at that time? I will be on a train to Glasgow! Maggie

Hello everyone! Hope this finds you well

I came across the Queens Park Allotments on Saturday while having a go at the par-3 golf course, and one of the members who was tending to her site directed me here... I would love to apply for an allotment - is there a waiting list? 

I had a vegetable patch growing up but have missed it over the last few years, and the allotments in Queens Park looked so well taken care of I would love to be a part of it if there are any spots open. Please let me know if there's any information you need from me. 

Warmest regards

Sarah

Hi everyone!

I will be at the allotments on Sunday from around 12.30 for an hour or so if anyone fancies joining me for a 'garden together'.

Meanwhile, don't forget to harvest your lovely produce and also take anything that is ready from the two tall raised beds. The produce there is for sharing by all of us.

Hope you're having a great summer! Maggie

Hi everybody,

I've been away a lot at weekends and not able to organise a get together. Sorry about that!

Can we have one on either Saturday 4th or Sunday 5th November, either a.m. or p.m? We can clear up and make it look good for the winter and compare notes on our harvests. Maybe some mulled wine too!

Please reply with your availability so that I know which morning or afternoon of the weekend to opt for.

Cheers, Maggie

Hi Maggie,

I would prefer 5th November Sunday, as I have walking group on Saturday mornings.

nilufer

Hi Maggie,

I would also prefer Sunday 5th, probably in the afternoon, after shopping in Queens park market!

It would be good to meet up with everyone again. 

All the best,

Julienne 

Great that a good few of you can come on Sunday. We will have a nice gathering and a good clear up. I am asking Mick for some wood chip so that we can tidy up the paths.

Can the people who haven't replied please do so! I'm happy to be there on both the 4th and the 5th, although so far only Kim has opted for the 4th. 

Thanks, Maggie

Hi there! A good number of people can make the cleanup on Sunday 5th November and only one on the Saturday, so Sunday is definitely the day (sorry Kim!).

I'm suggesting 12.00 to 3.00 for the timing. Hope that's OK with everyone but let me know if not, as I'm pretty free that day.

Can those of you who haven't replied take a minute to post a message please - either yes or no? 

Thanks, Maggie

hi maggie, we will try to make it - but its my son's birthday so we wont be there before 2pm...

Hi Maggie,

We should be able to make it on Sunday, see you then.

Helene

I can make it on the 5th! See you all then!

Nice day. We're in luck!

Bringing mulled wine. Maybe some of you want to bring something to eat around lunchtime? 

Look forward to see y'all. I'll be there from 12.00

Mick says he is getting two bags of wood chip up there, so we will see...

Maggie

Thanks to everyone involved yesterday for their energy and good humour. Sorry about those of you would couldn't make it... You missed out on an enjoyable event. 

A few changes to tell you about - please tell me if I'm wrong about any as I'm not sure I quite remember! Rawa is taking new bed 4 and the Kalafat family staying with new bed 2 - buddies for both are Helen and Daniel. Helene is buddy for someone whose name I've forgotten (can you remind me, Helene?)  but who is coming along and they are staying on new bed 1. Kirsty is moving from her raised bed in the children's playground area to new bed 3, as she mostly can't get to her current bed with the playground closing so early. Julienne has given up her bed and we have a new member from Algeria, Menad, who is taking over her space. Beds 5 and 6 (Maggie and Fausto buddies) are currently unallocated, as is the raised bed Kirsty has given up, and I will be in touch again with Salusbury World in the spring to see if there are new people interested in taking them on.

All best, Maggie

Hi Maggie, not sure if it was me that you forgot the name of, I have the raised bed in the playground, the one closest to the big slide side. We grew cherry tomatoes this summer and managed to get a lot!! Will plant some herbs for the winter then more tomatoes next year!

No, it wasn't you I'd forgotten about, Barbara, it was the name of one of the refugee gardeners. Sorry you couldn't make it to the gathering and great to hear about your growing successes. Maggie

Hi everyone! Winter is really with us and there won't be any more veggie growing until the spring. Don't forget to order yourselves some seeds during the armchair months. I get mine from Marshalls Seeds but there are loads of options...

Just to say welcome to Menad, who has taken on Julienne's plot. Julienne doesn't have time to maintain a plot but will still be coming along to Garden Togethers.

Plans for next year, as well as the Big Dig, include possibly building a shed with a living roof for our tools. It would need the Park's support and a grant, so we're currently in the early stages of putting out feelers...

All best, Maggie

Hello! I'm a local QP resident and intrigued by these mini plots. Are they are any available? Dreaming of having my own veg to have this summer!! Cheers, Colm

Hallo to our new member, Colm. I was talking to Mick Guerin recently, Colm, and it seems we may be allotted some space in the Children's Zoo area - possibly four more plots - when it is redeveloped, they say in April. If that happens, there will definitely be a plot for you. If not, it will depend on whether or not all the current plot holders want to continue in the coming season. So there is hope! Maggie

Please reply to this message

Hi everyone, I know it's cold and bleak right now but soon the growing season will begin again, so the familiar question ..,

Do you want to continue with your plot in 2018?

Have you definitely got time to cultivate your plot and join in with the Big Dig and some garden togethers?

If you can't commit, please let me know so I can reallocate your bed. Any time you want to re-join, you can have priority. 

A simple answer will do. 'I want to keep my plot.' or 'I don't want to keep my plot.' 

Thanks, Maggie

Thanks Mark. That's thoughtful of you. Colm, you now have a potential plot - a long, narrow strip directly adjoining the outside seating area of the cafe. Can you confirm if you would like it please?

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for checking and yes, I would also like to keep my plot.

Hi Maggie, Asma and I would like to keep our plot thank you. Already making plans and looking forward to getting started.

Hello everyone, 

We are new to Queens Park but also very interested in a mini plot. If there are any other spare plots please let us know. If not then, we would be interested in helping people with existing plots if that is another option. We look forward to hopefully meeting you all when the weather is a bit warmer!

Emily & Owain

That's fantastic, I'd love it! 

Thanks Emily. You are next on the list and I will get back to you when all the present plot-holders have got back to me. Cheers, Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Yes please can we keep the plots we have, we have grand plans for the summer as the peas were a great hit. And the kale has done well this winter.

Thanks,

Kate

Hi Maggie, i would like to keep my plot for next season, however if there are too many people waiting I can share my plot as its one of the large ones. 

Just let me know please.

nilufer

Hi Maggie, let me know what I need to do next to get going with the plot - looking forward to it

Hi everyone, 

it seems like someone has removed all the plants of my plot (the one next to the playground, furthest away from the entrance of the playground). 

Anyone knows why? 

Thanks,

Barbara.

I'm shocked to hear this Barbara! I have emailed Mick Guerin, the person in charge of the day to day management of the Park to see if he can shed any light. Maggie

Hi Colm,

Do you know where your plot is? It's the long strip next to the outdoor seating area at the back of the cafe. Nobody has done much yet because of the weather. If you want to get started you can dig it over. I can meet you in the Park - I am there most Sundays - and show you where the tools are in the shed and how to get access. Otherwise, I will organise a 'Garden Together' when the weather improves a bit. The date will be on the comment board here and get emailed on to you...

Best, Maggie

Thanks to Nilufer and Mark for their generous offers to give up space. I think you can keep your whole plot Nilufer as things stand.

Thanks also to Colm, Kate, Kirsty, Helene, Kim, Tiffany, Helen and Barbara for letting me know you want to continue.

Can remaining plot-holders please let me know as soon as possible if you want/are in a position to continue, otherwise I don't know whether or not to reallocate your plots!

Thanks, Maggie

Hi again, Barbara. See Mick's reply below... 

So sorry you lost your plants. Can we help with seeds or by dividing clumps of herbs? Maggie

Hi Maggie 

I am afraid that the plants were pulled out by vandals. We will have to review how we can allow access without allowing the public to get in to this area.

Thanks Mick.

Further email from Mick Guerin:

Hi Maggie

We have had teenagers climbing over the fence after dark. They have been leaving a lot of broken glass etc. for the staff to clean up every morning, unfortunately they have now chosen to pick on the planter. We will find a solution.

Thanks Mick.

Hi Maggie,

thank you for your reply, it’s not such big deal for me as I was planning to plant new ones when the weather improves anyway, but it would of course be good that this area is better protected, especially once we have planted the new ones in a few weeks! At the same time, it is important it is easy for us to access. At the moment, it is difficult to lift those big barriers when I go with my young children. They are not very pretty either... maybe a smaller barrier with a lock like a lock for a bike? If people want to jump above, they ll be able to jump anyway unless it’s very high but then that won’t be pretty and it will be very expensive... something like the tennis entrance I guess is very expensive. Difficult situation... not sure what the solution is!

Looks like there will be a couple of plots free on the main site, one for you, Barbara, if you would like it, and one for you, Emily. I'm just waiting to see if anyone else gets back to me. Is anyone else in the playground area wanting to come onto the main site if possible? Best, Maggie

Hi Maggie,

Although I like my raised bed conveniently next to the playground, I would like to try a plot at the back if any are available please.

Barbara, sorry to hear your plants were pulled out. I haven't seen mine yet and dreading what will be left. 

Thank you, that would be great!

I had a look yesterday and think I've found it - would like to be sure though! What time do you be there on Sundays? I could possibly pop by this weekend depending on weather.

That's great! Thanks. We'd also be interested in coming to have a look at the plots/meet you this weekend if there is a time that works. If not then definitely when the weather warms up a bit.