MEMBERS INFO PACK

MEMBERS INFO PACK 2022/23

Congratulations on accepting the tenancy of a plot at(site tbc)allotments, owned by Ripon City Council, and administered on their behalf by Ripon City Allotment Society. Taking on an allotment does involve a regular commitment and an investment of your time, but your efforts will be handsomely repaid by the enjoyment and produce the plot brings you.

Two copies of your tenancy agreement will be posted to you shortly. One you should keep safely, whilst the other should be signed and returned to the Treasurer with the rent due for the current year (an invoice will also be included in the letter). Be sure you read and fully understand the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement, because any failure to comply with them may result in the offer being withdrawn and the plot being re-let.

In future years, you will receive an invoice for your rent and membership of the Society in January / February each year. The invoice will explain how the various ways the rent can be paid. However the invoice should be settled as quickly as possible and in any case before the end of February. Failure to pay the rent on time will place you in breach of the conditions of your agreement and may result in expulsion from your plot or a financial penalty. The allotment year starts on 1st April.

If you have any questions concerning the plot, your initial contact should be your local site rep. Be sure to make a note of the contact details on page 4. However, if you read on, you will find this note contains a wealth of information, suggestions and advice which should prove useful.

Spud and Slug. Each month, the Society e-mails a newsletter known as the “Spud and Slug” to members. Hard copies are also posted on site gates and notice boards. It’s always worth checking out as it will let you know what’s happening on your site and across the Society generally. It also contains advice and seasonal tips. If you have any interesting gardening news to share, then the editor, Andrew Turnbull would be pleased to hear from you; e-mail ajturnbull@live.co.uk.

Advice on Varieties and Growing Crops. There are many experienced gardeners on every site who will willingly share their accumulated wisdom with you. But beware, likes and dislikes differ and consequently advice received will vary depending on who you ask. Also check out the Society’s own website, http://rcas.btck.co.uk. Moreover, should you visit the Members Shop (see below for further details) the “shop-keepers” are always ready to will provide pointers and advice on fertilisers, composts, and growing techniques. The shop stocks quite a wide range of products, but if it does not stock what you need, we will often be able to let you know where to find it. In time you will build a body of knowledge and sort out which crops/varieties best suit your needs and soil. But don’t become too conservative. Try to grow something new every year.

Member’s Shop. The shop can be found on the Kirkby Road allotment site. HG4 2HG will find it on Satnav. It’s just through the metal gated entrance - opposite the entrance to the cemetery. (red brick building on the left when approaching the cemetery) It is open from March to June each Saturday morning between 10:00 to 12:00. A price list of items stocked is available at the shop or can be found on the Society website.

Great Offers. Bulk ordering allows the Society to take advantage of excellent discounts which are passed on to members. Each autumn, offers for seeds, seed potatoes, onion sets, etc., are sent to members with their invitation to the AGM. The member’s shop has a limited quantity of seed potatoes and onion sets on sale when it opens in March each year.

Shows. The Ripon Horticultural Show is staged by the Society, early in September and provides members and other gardeners in the city with the opportunity to show off their produce and win a prize or two, or even a trophy. Further details will appear in the Spud & Slug during the summer but http://rcas.btck.co.uk/THESHOWHALLOFFAME will give you a taster of what you can expect. Ripon City Allotment Society is part of the Harrogate and District Allotments Federation who stage a show in the Valley Gardens each August. Ripon members often do well at the Federation Show and it’s a great day out for the whole family. The Spud & Slug will provide further information and advance notice of dates.

Top Plot Competition. All plots are eligible to win a prize when the judging in this annual competition takes place at the end of June or early July each year. The judging dates and times will be announced in the Spud & Slug. When the judging party visits the sites, note is also taken of any plots which are deemed to be in an unacceptable condition.

Water. Although there are dipping tanks which are connected to the mains supply for members to use on all sites (except Quarrymoor Lane) it keeps down the society’s costs (and ultimately your rent) if you are able to collect and make use of the collection of rain water from the roofs of buildings on your plot is strongly recommended. Yorkshire Water often run special offers on butts. If using a re-cycled oil drum or similar to store water please be aware of the danger to small children visiting the site. The dipping tanks also have taps to which hoses may be attached to fill your own storage butts in dry weather but hoses must be used with consideration and must never be left unattended. The dip tanks are a shared facility and must not be used to wash out pesticide containers which should be disposed of safely off site. Nor should the tanks be used to wash vegetables and tools as this results in them silting up. A bucket or two of water does the job just as well and doesn’t cause problems. Finally if you come across a leaking pipe, dripping tap, wet spot or a “fountain” please, please report it straightaway. Water is not only a precious commodity it is also expensive! The water supplies are turned off each winter (November to March).

Sheds and Greenhouses. If you would like to erect a shed, greenhouse, poly tunnel or any other structure on your plot, please seek advice and prior permission from your Site Rep. Failure to do so may result in you being asked to re-site or even remove the structure. As a general guide sheds and greenhouses should be of a size appropriate to the size of plot they are to be erected on (normally no more than 8’x6’). They should also be aligned with others on the site. The structures should be positioned so as not to cause a nuisance to neighbouring plots. Sufficient space should be left to allow regular maintenance of the structure and for dealing with rodent infestation should one occur. The buildings, including the base, should be of a temporary nature, but nevertheless must be well anchored.

Unfortunately sheds on allotment sites are vulnerable to vandalism and theft during the quiet hours. If they are used to store tools and other items of value to you they should be very well secured. It is also recommended that tools stored in allotment sheds should be security marked. Ask you site rep or at the members shop for further details about what this involves. If you do find your shed has been broken into and/or tools or crops stolen please report the incident at Ripon Police Station (the more reports made the higher our profile for routine police rounds) and advise your site rep so others can be warned.

Access Tracks and Paths Tracks provide vehicular access to plots especially when loading and unloading large items and should be kept clear for this purpose (they should not be used as a convenient place for you to leave a car). Because of the rutting and other damage they cause, vehicles, and in particular tractor and trailers delivering manure, are prohibited from using the grass tracks during the months of December – February. However after heavy rain, damage can be caused at any time of year. Plot holders are therefore requested to refrain from driving down the grass tracks unless they are absolutely sure the ground conditions are suitable.

Throughout the summer the grass tracks are mowed. Please ensure that the track bordering your plot is kept free from items that would foul the mower, e.g. polythene, timber / stones / netting. Also glass and other sharp objects such as nails which might puncture tyres should not discarded on the tracks. They should be disposed of safely off site. The mower cannot cut close to the edge of the track and it is each plot holder’s responsibility to maintain the boundary between their plot and the track in good order. Most plots can be reached directly from a track but where plots have been divided, some are only accessible through a neighbours plot. Please ensure that where paths are shared, free and unhindered access is maintained at all times. Enough for the width of a wheelbarrow is usually sufficient. Also gates are there for a purpose and care should be taken to close them behind you.

Bonfires. Because of the nuisance caused by fires in the past the times when they can be lit are now restricted. The monthly news-letter [Spud and Slug] will periodically advise when fires are permissible. But if any doubt consult your site rep. There are no firm rules which prevent plot holders burning waste garden materials on their plot, but everyone Everyone needs to be aware you are liable to prosecution if a fire is deemed to have caused a nuisance. Clearly, which site your plot is on and the size, type and frequency of the fires you light will impact on how likely it is that a nuisance will be caused. Here are some points you should always consider before lighting a fire:

Fires can be hazardous and cause damage to wildlife and the environment.
Most garden residues can be composted or disposed of at the amenity site at Dallamires Close.
If a fire is unavoidable make sure the material is dry so it burns quickly with little smoke.
Never include toxic materials e.g. plastics and tyres on the fire.
Think about the wind direction and its strength.
Check that residential neighbours do not have washing out and windows are closed.
If other plot holders are on site liaise with them before striking a match!
Your tenancy agreement will be terminated and you leave yourself open to prosecution if a fire on your plot causes a nuisance.

Floods. Ripon is fortunate enough to have three rivers within its boundaries which is great most of the time. Unfortunately, The Ure and The Skell are prone to flooding and occasionally, when they break their banks their flood waters have been known to inundate both the Fishergreen and Riverview sites. At Bondgate Green the water table is close to surface and this can give rise to standing water in low areas after periods of heavy rain. Flood alleviation works have been undertaken by the Environment Agency.

Neglected Plots. Plot holders are duty bound by their tenancy agreement to maintain their plot in a good condition at all times. Most tenants have no difficulty with this requirement and indeed fully support it. Where plots are not tended as diligently as they should be they quickly become unsightly, a nuisance and a waste of a precious resource. Often the problem is linked to a shortage of time due to changes at work or at home. If a tenant finds they have a short-term problem the site rep should be alerted and a plan agreed which will see the plot brought back into shape within a reasonable timescale. However if the problem cannot be resolved before the end of current tenancy period, then the tenant must seriously consider relinquishing at least part if not all of the plot. Plots are inspected regularly and if found to be poorly cultivated and weedy (unless already the subject of an agreed improvement plan) the tenant will be issued with a letter requiring them to take remedial action. This “yellow card” allows no more than a month for the plot holder to bring his/her plot back into a condition which conforms with the terms of the agreement. If the plot holder remains in breach of the terms of their agreement after the month time limit has expired the agreement will be terminated and the plot re-let.

Health and Safety. Allotments are to be enjoyed but as with everything there are inherent risks linked to gardening especially with a shared facility such as allotments. Everyone has a responsibility to take care and minimise the potential dangers for all users of the allotment site. The Society has drawn up advice which can be found on the website: rcas.btck.co.uk/ABOUTUSESSENTIALINFO/HEALTHSAFETYONPLOTS

Livestock. Bees are the only livestock it is permissible to keep on the plot. However, if you decide to keep bees, please discuss the location of the hive with the Site Rep and make sure the bees are not located where they will cause a nuisance. Dogs and kitchen gardens are rarely good partners so if you bring a dog (or other pet) when you visit your plot, you must keep it under close control (within your own plot) at all times. Nevertheless, if it causes a nuisance to others you will be asked not to bring it again.

Trees. Trees on allotments Plot holders must not plant ‘ornamental’ trees on their plots as this almost invariably leads to problems and should not be planted. Moreover, Even top fruit trees (apples, pears and plums) are best avoided but if grown they should be should also be avoided unless they have been grafted onto a very dwarfing root-stock. Furthermore, But before planting any dwarf fruit trees, plot holders you should very carefully consider their impact they will have some years down the line. Not only will they require significant, regular input from the plot holder with training, pruning, etc., but their canopy and their roots will take the goodness and water from the surrounding soil. This which will make it difficult to grow other crops nearby. Neighbouring plot holders will be rightly upset if their plots are is becoming increasingly affected by your trees on your plot. Should this occur, or the trees cause difficulties with access or create a nuisance for residential neighbours you will be required to remove them.

Hedges. If your plot borders a boundary hedge, then it’s your responsibility to keep your side of the hedge in trim.

Parking. The Society encourage plot holders not to use their cars when visiting their plot, but when they do so, we ask that consideration is shown for pedestrians and other road users. Fishergreen allotments are some way from residential areas, but there are three clearly defined parking areas. Parking elsewhere will not be tolerated.

Use of Chemicals. There are no restrictions on the use of approved garden pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, providing you adhere to the instructions on the box/bottle. But, if you do use them, please remember that your neighbours may well not share your views on their use. So please be considerate and use them sparingly and do take every care to ensure the spray is not allowed to drift when applied.

On the Move? The Society likes to keep you informed about what’s happening, and of course, send your annual rent invoice, so if you move house, change phone number or email address please let the Society know. Our membership database is not shared with any other organisation.

Suggestions and Grumbles / Complaints. If you have a suggestion that think will improve things or are unhappy about anything related to the allotments, then don’t keep it to yourself but share it with your site rep who will raise it at the next monthly meeting of the management committee or if you prefer Alternatively email rcas.news@gmail.com
Your Site Representatives are: