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Additional Security Fencing

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In December 2017 another stretch of fencing at the Patch Allotments was replaced with secure 2.4 metre high anti-climb fencing. The fencing replaced was along the western boundary between the pedestrian gate and the southern boundary. This section of fencing was previously only about one metre high and despite the undergrowth outside it was known to have been the entry point for trespassers.

 

March 2022 Update

The whole of the north boundary alongside the public orchard has now had similar 2.4 metre high anti-climb fencing installed in two tranches. Most recently, all but about 50 metres of the east boundary from the orchard to the main gate has also had the same fencing installed. The Patch Allotment Association, who manage the site, plan to install new fencing along this final 50 metres of boundary in 2022.

Bee Keeping at the Patch Allotments

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Patch Allotment Open Day 2017

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On Saturday 10am 15th July the allotments threw open its gates for its 10th annual open day.

The marque was up the barbecues were fired up, the food was prepared and laid out.

The weather was overcast  and spitting rain, up till 12 noon when the sun come out, over 100 people attended and, considering the Wimbledon final was on that day, it was a good turnout.

At 3pm the raffle was drawn, there were twenty prizes to win. £127 was raised to put to the Association crowd founding project.

All Ages were there.

and the “boys” in blue.

 

Allotment Open Day

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Allotment Break In

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Unfortunately there has been a break in at the Patch Allotments just off Newport Road in Woughton on the Green. It happened over the night of the 11th January. The hut, shop and storage container were all broken into and items stolen from each.

If anybody saw or heard any activity at the allotments that night, please contact the police using 101.

Falconhurst School summer visit to the Patch

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P1010867 emailThere was a second visit of year 5 students from Falconhurst School in Eaglestone, to the Patch Allotments on the 14th July. This was a follow up to the last excussion to the Patch in February when the allotments were still largely dormant. On this occasion the children were able to see the allotments in full bloom with the results of the allotment tenants hard work in evidence. The children were challenged to identify the different crops growing on the plots. Some of the answers were surprising!

P1010873 emailOf course high in the list of things to do at the allotments for the children, was an opportunity to feed the chickens. This allowed them a close up view of the ever inquisitive birds and a chance to pet them  Taking advantage of the sunny summer weather on the day, the children brought picnic lunches to have at the seating area by the Allotment shop.

The visit was again hosted by the Chair and the Secretary of the Patch Allotments Association (PAA), Les Burgess and John Such. The visit will be used to provide material for classroom projects for the students.

Falconhurst School visit to the Patch Allotments

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Falconhurst 1Two groups of year 5 students from the Falconhurst School in Eaglestone enjoyed a field trip to the Patch Allotments on Thursday the 25th February. The visit was hosted by the Chair and the Secretary of the Patch Allotments Association (PAA), Les Burgess and John Such. The visit started with a “class room” session in the PAA hut where Les explained some of the history of allotments in his usual jocular fashion. He then got the children to design a layout for an allotment and identify what they would like to grow in it.

The children then got a chance to walk around the allotments and, of course, Falconhurst 3to head for the chicken run. Here they had an opportunity to meet the chickens first hand and to feed them. At the same time Les was able to field the avalanche of questions about them from the children.

The visit was concluded by a visit to the bee enclosure for more questions and answers about the bee’s life cycle and what is required to maintain a healthy bee population. Fortunately the weather was fine, but still much too cold for any bees to want to venture out.

A follow up visit in June is under discussion so that the children will be able to see the allotments in full bloom and in warmer weather.

Patch Allotments – Boundary Security

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The first move by OWPC to strengthen the boundary of the Patch site was the purchase of 420 Pyracantha plants in late 2013. The majority of these were planted along the Western boundary, the remainder on short stretches of the North and East boundaries. This planting met with some success despite the boundary positioning meaning that trees external to the boundary fence reduced both light and rain falling on the plants.

During the Summer of 2015 new palisading was erected to both sides of the Western pedestrian gates and to one side of the main Eastern gate.  Additionally the gates at both sides were clad with palisading to increase their effective height to 2.4 metres.