2022 Annual Report

Secretary's Report for the 2022 AGM of Kettering Allotments Society

This report covers January 2020 until December 2021, as there was no AGM during 2021

In over a century of Kettering Allotments Society there has never been a period quite like that of 2020-21. The global Covid pandemic and lockdown restrictions meant that we could not hold an AGM during 2021. Our 2020 AGM was held days before the first lockdown. Little did we know what was about to occur. 

Our allotments and the Society have thrived during these unprecedented times and challenges. Fortunately, assurances were made by a senior Government minister on national TV on the first morning of lockdown in March 2020 that allotment gardening was still permitted, and counted as the "daily exercise" allowed for people to leave their homes. Consequently our allotments became even more important to our members as a safe and healthy activity, helping both our physical and mental health as well as continuing to grow food.

Our 4 sites have remained fully let. The first lockdown resulted in a large increase in our waiting lists, as people realised that allotments were allowed and they were stuck at home unable to go to the shops, pub or on holiday. At one point in 2020 our waiting lists reached 200 people. Once restrictions were eased, the stewards worked hard to rent vacant plots and  evict tenants that had not cultivated and reduce waiting lists. Several of those waiting were no longer interested after restrictions eased; some had rented allotments elsewhere. Stewards have continued their work to reduce waiting lists further by clearing rubbish from neglected plots and evicting tenants who have not cultivated. A new policy on waiting lists was agreed by the committee in 2020.

Cordial relationships have been established with Weekly and Warkton allotments, just outside Kettering and also Whiteford Drive (South End) allotments society. These other allotments had vacant plots, so when our lists grew very long we were able to point people in their direction. 

We have also established a good relationship with the new Kettering Town Council, first elected in May 2021. In October 2021 our Chairman and Secretary gave a tour of all 4 sites to three councillors, who are on the Council's committee for allotments. We have continued to campaign to get an extra plot of land that is adjacent to Scott Road owned by the Council as new allotments; the site was previously rented privately to an individual directly by the old KBC and is contaminated with a very large amount of rubbish, including a lot of asbestos, broken glass, tractor tyres etc. The new North Northamptonshire  Council has allegedly agreed to clear the site and make safe, but so far there has been no action. We continue to press for this work to be done. Once the land is clear we hope to be able to rent it from the Town Council and provide extra allotments.

The committee continued to hold meetings one way or another whilst obeying all restrictions. During lockdown, our meetings were held virtually on ZOOM. Some committee members do not have ZOOM, so they were sent detailed agendas by post and telephoned or wrote to share their views and votes on any proposals. Once restrictions were eased, the committee met outside and socially distanced at Margaret Road and Scott Road. There have been changes to the committee membership. Some stewards retired and we take this opportunity to thank them for their service to the society - Tony and Sue Munt, John Negus, Claire Wallis and Lee Farmer.  Fortunately we had excellent replacements for Margaret Road and the current team is really dynamic and proactive. In today's AGM we formally vote on these new committee members and field stewards, but I would like to thank them for all the fabulous work they have already done at Margaret Road; Rachel Moulton, Gosha Jarwembska, Peter New and John Roberts. We have also had a new addition to the Northfield Avenue stewarding team - Sarah Taylor and new stewards at Scott Road - Stephen Payne and Darren Stanion. These new stewards have really improved our society. Thank you again to all the stewards for their continuing hard work to keep our society running so smoothly. Another word of thanks to our retiring treasurer, John Burn, who has served with distinction. John has ensured that increasing numbers of us pay rents online, a much more secure and speedy method to bank our funds. 

One significant development, instigated by Stephen Payne, is the Society's Facebook page. This is complementing our monthly newsletter on WordPress and helps to build the community of allotment members in Kettering over our 4 sites. Regular competitions have kept the Facebook experience positive and fun as well as being a useful way to share news and ask questions.

Several improvements to our infrastructure have occurred. Network Rail installed high quality new gates at Northfield Avenue at no cost to us in exchange for access during their electrification of the railway. The Society paid for skips to help remove rubbish from Northfield Avenue, Margaret Road and Windmill Avenue.  Gravel was bought for Scott Road to improve the track and two members spread this for no charge. Margaret Road have had tarmac planings and used them to improve their tracks and car park, hiring a JCB to spread them. A substantial expense was incurred to remove asbestos from Margaret Road. The cost of regular skips and specialist asbestos removal is a reminder of one of our biggest problems; clearing away the items that tenants leave behind when their tenancy ends. To that end we had signs made and installed at each field to remind us all of basic safety and prohibited items on allotments. The committee also updated our disciplinary policy, health and safety policy and waste management policy. Clearer guidelines were published on evictions and regular reminders placed in newsletters and Facebook to reduce prohibited items being brought or left on allotments. A deposit system was introduced for new members; their deposits will be returned at the end of their tenancies if the plot is left in good condition, with no rubiish or prohibited items remaining. The deposit system has been successful so far, although our deposit of £25 is low by national standards; the average  deposit nationally is £50.  Windmill Avenue had storm damage to their front fence that was repaired at minimal cost thanks to the hard work of the steward, George White with assistance from other members. The above necessary expenses and investments drained our funds. Rents had not been increased since 2012 and the committee agreed to a rent increase in 2021 to balance our books. Our rents remain very low by national standards. Full details of expenses and income are in the treasurer's report. 

In 2020 the Bridgstock Cup was awarded jointly to Pat Mullins and Jackie Nix. Well done Pat for winning this prestigious trophy three times. This is the fourth time that Jackie has won the cup, congratulations to her. In 2021 the cup winner was Russell Attwood. The cup was presented by the Mayor of Kettering Keli Watts in 2020 and  Councillor Des Dell in 2021, giving us the opportunity to showcase allotments to the elected representatives of our landlords, the Council. Margaret Road members have continued holding their annual fun competition for largest marrow, pumpkin etc and longest runner bean. A great sense of community is building with these members.

Water conservation and rainwater collection are recurring campaigns. To that end we are very grateful to the local tree surgeons who give us shreddings for mulch. We now have a reliable source of thousand litre IBC tanks to collect rain, delivered to plots for a reasonable cost by Windermere Logs. All this helps us to reduce the water bill and do our bit to help the environment. At the other extreme of weather, Margaret Road experienced winter flooding after heavy rain. The water was knee deep in many places in winter. The site is close to the River Ise and there are natural springs nearby. Some Margaret Road members affected by this flooding have made a proposal for members to consider at this AGM.

Our current constitution was adopted at the AGM in 2016. There are no proposed changes, but it is recommended that we once again vote at this year's AGM to ratify the constitution. This will help on a technical matter with our duty to upload current documentation with the FCA as a mutual society.

The committee has also proposed a  minor rule change. Our current rules do not specify a maximum shed size, an oversight from the rules review underatken in 2016. Some large sheds have been built recently and the committee feels it is best to close this loophole, along with further clarification to ban hard standing car parking areas on plots and use of concrete. The sentiment behind this rule change it to prevent our descendents and successors having problems removing derelict structures and waste in generations to come. No doubt the tenant who built a shed of asbestos many years ago at Margaret Road when it was legal did not realise they would leave us a bill of several thousands of pounds in 2021. The ratio of this bill to a typical allotment rent is very large and we wish to prevent leaving this kind of legacy to a future committee.

We continue to be members of the National Allotments Society NSALG and their support is invaluable. Our membership also enables us to get discounted public liability insurance and access to their expert legal advice.

Kettering Allotments members can now get discounts at several suppliers, including B&Q, ScrewFix, Hevey and GP Plastics. Details of how to access these discounts are on our WordPress page (newsletter).

In conclusion, our Society goes from strength to strength thanks to the dedication and cooperation of its members, committee and officers. We welcome suggestions and ideas for further improvement, whether verbal or written, electronic or hard copy. We aim to be as inclusive and responsive as possible, so let us know your views. Our Society is democratic, so decisions are made following consultation, discussion and votes by members and their elected committee. More than anything, however, our Society runs on the goodwill and voluntary service and it is heartwarming to see this in action, week-in, week out. To paraphrase the immortal words of JFK "ask not what your allotment society can do for you; ask rather what you can do for your allotment society"

Russell Attwood, Secretary March 2022