REPORT FROM BAA TO THE PARISH ASSEMBLY APRIL 2009

What a superb year. Well worth all the effort. This then is the feeling of most members of the BAA after our first full year of cultivation.

The Baydon allotmenteers have work very hard in one year transforming a grass field into cultivated land and then planting, growing and harvesting some very presentable crops. Methods ranged from the ‘old fashioned’ to the ‘modern day’ and they all produced good results.

Very little return was expected this first year but we were wrong. With a little help from the weather and some excellent manure from a local farmer bumper crops of potatoes, peas, beans etc. were obtained on many plots. Even runner beans, which can be risky with no water supply, yielded well. Particularly pleasing was the variety of flowers grown which added much colour to some plots.

Spurred on by this success the Association is now organizing a small competition amongst ourselves for growing the largest pumpkin or tallest sunflower and maybe later a produce show which would be open to the whole village.

Earlier this year the BAA joined the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. This organization gives us access to the bulk purchase of seeds, a very good magazine, insurance and both legal and technical advice.
Later this year the Association is looking forward to the BPC completing the formalities concerning the provision of allotments in Baydon which will then enable the much needed supply of water and rabbit fencing to the Parish Field to proceed.

We are delighted to see the many non-allotment holders from the village who often visit the field, frequently with children, to view and talk about our progress. In the current climate we see this as a valuable addition to their education. This often leads to reminiscing about our earlier generations when growing your own vegetables was common-place. This then may be another indication of our success.

Finally the BAA believe that the provision of allotments is a valuable amenity to Baydon that does much to enhance community spirit in the village as well as providing the means for families to economically grow fresh vegetables. There is an element of camaraderie amongst allotmenteers, who share a common interest, that is another small but not insignificant bonus.

Bernie Gribble
Chairman