Re the education idea pleae see "Country Living Magazine: Decenber 2006 Page 154 as they have sponsored three allotments for schools. One in Dorset - this one "works so well the it supplies the canteen with veg." The Berkhampstead school has planted fruit trees and is encouraging wildlife by planting (I bet the owners love the increased numbers of pigeons!) There is however a list of schools seeking help with allotments at

www.countryliving.co.uk
Alun

What about competitions - first inside the allotment and then freindlies against other allotments?

Please could Pat mak the erroro messages stand out on the web page - I missed one that said I hadn't entered the verification code properly - had the text been red or highlighted in some way I would have seen it more easily.

Hi Alun
The settings are world wide web standard. However,
I can't alter the settings on your machine but you can.
See below simple instructions

http://www.iheu.org/fontsize

Dear Mr Pratt
I am writing to you on behalf of the newly formed Cole Park Allotments Association at Cole Park Allotments Twickenham Road Isleworth. We are anxious to raise funds to improve the site and see an opportunity in using a small area of the allotments that has never been cultivated as a rugby car park on a limited number of days per year.
As the Allotments are primarily an area for escape from the modern world into the joys of digging and cultivating we would only run a small car park on 10 to 12 days a year between November and May. Only during the day and not for evening or late afternoon events. Parking would be properly stewarded and with whatever Insurance is appropriate.
This fund raising idea has been discussed for several weeks and at an Open Forum last week the majority were in favour of going ahead if the Council agreed.
This piece of land has suffered fly- tipping regularly in the past but over the last 6 months the plotholders have cleared the site and put up prominent notices to discourage rubbish and encourage recycling and composting. Plotholders also mended the fencing to stop people entering the site to fly-tip.
We would like to use this area to generate a small steady income. We have already raised funds by the sale of numbered signs for the plots that has paid for materials for a large Association notice board to keep everyone informed. Also manure bins have been constructed to store a large donation of manure coming in December for everyone's use.
The Association wants to broaden its outlook and seek involvement with the local community ( promoting allotment gardening healthy eating) and local schools (possibly local secondry schools could be involved in either allotment gardening or science projects on our nature reserve area). There is also the problem of Pit Park and the Association is willing to get involved.
The Association will apply for grants for other projects where appropriate.
Please visit our website www.coleparkallotments.org.uk
Many thanks for your help so far.

Olwen Treasurer
Sandra Chair

PS. CIP visited the allotments yesterday and have no problem with this area of uncultivated land being used in this constructive way.

Nick Pratt is head of leisure and cultural stratagy in the chief excutive's office Hounslow Council.
Above is a copy of a letter I sent him this morning making our case and it will be forwarded to all relevant people.
For information.
Olwen

No rugby car parking today but progress. CIP and Councillor Phil Andrews are in favour. Nick Pratt has contacted people for us and assoc. has emailed all three local councillors. Council solicitor to look into legal position.
Rubble/hardcore needed to improve car park.
Olwen

Dear Alun

Thank you very much for taking the time to post your suggestions on the blog. We have duly noted them, and they will be incorporated into a document, the basis of which will begin to form our 5 year plan, where appropriate.

Apologies for not responding to you sooner.

Sandra