Allotments 4 All
General => News => Topic started by: Multiveg on March 26, 2007, 21:19:41
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I have suggested this a couple of times before but how about an A4A meeting somewhere - gardens, such as Barnsdale, or other places of interest to us plottie-people (in case we don't like the look of each other and we can still appreciate the location). I am intenting to go to some of the garden shows - Tatton? Shrewsbury, Southport.. as well.
I've met 3 people from here, the lovely SS, Mimi and GardenAntics.
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Hi multiveg - hope I'm not hijacking your thread, but the same discussion has been ongoing on another thread, here id the latest on possible meet at Barnsdale:
I have just been on the phone to Nic Hamilton, (son of Geoff), who runs Barnsdale gardens, and gave the lecture that Sarah, Emma and I went to last year.
Nic is sure that he is able to do something for us, dependant on the date, he thinks that he would be able to meet and greet the group, and get the Veg supervisor to give us a tour of the "Allotment Garden".
All Nic needs is a few dates, I'm thinking end of May, and he said that we could receive more attention if it was a weekday. (but pref. not the week of Chelsea, as they will be busy!) So how does sometime week starting the 14th May sound to everyone?
Nic was really nice, and has said to e-mail him with a couple of dates, and number of people and he will do his best!
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I saw your thread and thought it would be best to start a new one for the purpose. End of May sounds good, especially if it is during half term (last week of May).
I know not everyone would be able to go, but how about a few regional suggestions as well.
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End of may would be ideal for me, i'm pretty busy between now and then but would fit it in whenever seeing as Barnsdale's not that far from me.
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I'll probably be at work :'(
But if you want an East Midlands Venue our Lotties are in the Yellow Book and open to visitors and the Walled Kitchen Garden at Calke Abbey isn't far away...
;D
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/CalkeKgarden.jpg)
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/CalkePumpkins.jpg)
(http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e190/Plot52/CalkeDahlias2.jpg)
8)
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Barnsdale towards the end of May-sounds good to me-I wonder if Nic will remember the bloke who choked out loud when he mentioned the M tom word?
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I would love to meet up but due to my circumstances I can only get out for4 hours at the most. If ever there is a meet nearer the West Mids I would be ok.
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Saddad, those pics look very inviting! When you say you're in the yellow book, do you mean you are open to the public on set dates? Do you know when?
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Prink, I love your idea of a meeting at Barnsdale. If the Chelsea flower show is 22nd to 26th May, then I imagine Nick Hamilton will be very busy in the few weeks before then including 14th May week. Maybe we should be looking into early June as the last week of May will be the Bank Holiday week and the traffic on the roads will be horrendous.
Whatever, you will never get a date that will be suitable for everyone so maybe the answer is to get back to Nick and see when he is available and book it. We can then find out who is interested in coming if he needs to know numbers. I would definitely be able to attend for any date between 31st May and 11th June.
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Stunning pictures Saddad
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Weekends only for me, sadly. And it's quite a treck from Hertfordshire!
I'd be up for a more Southern meet up if anyone's interested?
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Southport Flower show is 16th - 19th August...?
http://www.southportflowershow.co.uk/ (http://www.southportflowershow.co.uk/)
:)
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Sounds good Sally, it is in the big hols and I'm not going away....
We are opening on the first Sunday in June and Sept under the NGS scheme, those pics are of Calke Abbey nearby... but we can arrange a private meeting any weekend evening to LLAA...
;D
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Weekends only for me, sadly. And it's quite a treck from Hertfordshire!
I'd be up for a more Southern meet up if anyone's interested?
I thought the idea of Barnsdale was because it is where Sarah did her courses and it was near to her home. The gardens are about 80 miles from Hertford and 150 miles from where I live in Wiltshire and so long as the date does not conflict with my holiday arrangements, I will definitely be going.
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Hi all,
Do you realise every time a meet is suggested I want to join in?
and it breaks my heart that I cant :(
It can be really lonely here :o
Ah don't worry I'll get over it ;D ;D ;D
Anyone for Belfast :P
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Hi all, sorry I know I'm supposed to be organising the Barnsdale meet, but I got stuck down in Kent for a week when car broke down! :o
I'm now back and on track - so I will e-mail Nick with dates of Thursday 17th May or Saturday 2nd June as possibles. I will tell him poss. 20 people, but could peeps let me know if they are able to attend either of these dates - pref by PM as will make it easier for me to co-ordinate. I'm really looking forward to it, be nice to see a few people from the site, and I know Sarah would have approved of the venue - she really liked Barnsdale Gardens
Check out website - and note mulch in allotment section:
http://www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk/ie-index.html
http://www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk/ie-index.html
http://www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk/ie-index.html
PS any spelling mistakes are due to the "C" key o
n laptop having to be hit very hard since cleaning it to make it work! ???
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Have sent you a PM. Looking forward to it!
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I'm in for a barnsdale meet either at weekend or during school holidays would be good.
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As with O O can't do school time..
;D
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Might be able to do June 2nd but can't come midweek during the school term.
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Well, getting some response, but I wouldn't know when schools were on holiday or not, don't have kids! So is the date of 17th May when schools are in or out? ;D
Help - I want to get this organised so that as many people as possible can come, but need more input!
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http://egfl.net/ (http://egfl.net/) Then click on "school term dates"under "quick Links" on the right. That's when Edinburgh schools are in/ on holiday. Can't answer for anyone else! ;)
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Grawc - thanks for that , if I'm reading it correct then, kids don't have a break between Easter and the middle of June, when main summer hols start?
Anyone else got any other dates for me to consider?
Kathi
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Half term school break (one week) is usually the last week of May.
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Lincolnshire school holidays are completely different.
We are on holiday 25 May - 4 June
And then anytime after 23rd June
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Doh! - are they just out to confuse me?
Thanks OliveOil
So would the week of 28/29/30 May be better for a few people as some schools are off? ???
The week before is Chelsea - so that's out, and much later we go in to summer holidays - which Nick was eager for us to avoid.
Kathi
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Most English secondary schools will have the week beginning with the bank holiday,i.e. 28th May. Scottish schools don't have a half-term because they finish much earlier in the summer (English schools finish around the last week in July)
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Just a thought- if we do the Saturday 2nd June, anyone coming from the north could stay overnight & do Saddad's allotment open day on the way home on the Sunday!
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Yes we close for summer on 29th June so don't have a mid-term "week" just two Monday holidays. June 2nd would certainly be the best date for me but since I'm not yet 100% sure I can make it anyway please don't alter what suits others just for me.
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You would be welcome to call by... that day is NGS open day and would cost you £3 but you are welcome anytime. When I started in Leicester the Hols were odd, never worked into July and went back Mid August!
::)
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... almost Scottish? ;)
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Kathi,
It will be chaotic on the roads between 25th May and 3rd June as most schools are off and the roads get clogged as millions of people take their children off on holiday for the week. Many travel back on 2nd June and this can be just as busy as Friday 25th and Saturday 26th May when they are going away and all the roads are jammed up.
To enable people with children to come, the half term week would probably be a good idea but why not in the middle of the week ie 30th or 31st May as the traffic should be lighter then. Of course at the end of the day it will depend on when Nick can meet us all.
Pauline
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Hi all, I've sent the e-mail to Nick Hamilton, dates of 30th, 31st May or 2nd June
I will keep you informed - but would like numbers ASAP in order to confirm the booking and we should also get group booking discount
Kathi
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That would be impossible for me Pauline, since we are working that week. But I'm happy to travel for 2nd June.
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I've spoken to Peter (OH) and I think he is quite happy with me/us coming on 1st June and leaving on 3rd.
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Are we talking about Barnsdale?-Cleo might show his ugly mush
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I should be able to do any of those, Kathi.
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I haven't put any imput in here before,but may I come? I am not sure if I can make it but could I join the chat as a hopeful please. XX Jeannine
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Yes i can do any of those as they look like school holidays so I'm a definite! ;D
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I could do any of the dates you have asked for. I have free entrance to Barnsdale as I belong to the RHS so although I will be one of the party, the group discount will not be relevant unless we need to pay extra for the individual attention.
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I'm also RHS, if you need to know.
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If it's the 2nd June, then I'd also be interested in coming along, and I'm an RHS member too. Could you give me an idea of what kind of time frame you were thinking of for the day i.e. when we'd need to get there by, as I would need to figure out how to get there by train etc.
Thanks
SP x
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Thanks for all replies, Haven't heard back from Nick yet as to if any of the days suit him better, but so far I think we consist of:
Flossie
Angelshades
Sweet-pea
Caroline7758
Paulines7
OliveOil
Jeannine
Cleo
Grawrc
Multiveg ?
Kitten ?
Dandelion ?
Saddad
Prink13 +OH
Anymore please?
The more the merrier? ;D
Just PM me or add to thread if you want to come
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If anyone needs a lift from train station etc I am Happy to oblige... I am based in Grantham so if you can get here that would be great!
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Probably me!! I always get lost XX Jeannine
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I'll probably come too. Which is the nearest train station?
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Jeannine - Hull trains do a brilliant service to grantham station.
Not sure where the nearest station to barnsdale is but its in the middle of bloody knowwhere!
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Ah yes, Grantham! I remember now: last February I spent an hour in a waiting room in Grantham station when a train connection to Nottingham was cancelled. Someone later told me that Grantham's only claim to fame is the fact that Thacher was born there... but now I know it's where OliveOil lives ;D! Anyway I can get to Grantham by train and may need a lift.
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Oh I am glad about the trains, I don't go too far without John so I was worried that I will chicken out, this sounds not so bad,if he could drop me at the station here and I get a lift there I feel almost confident!!! I might just make it, The dates are OK for me as it is still our half term at school. It is looking promising XX Jeannine
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OK thats a lift for jeannine and a lift for dandelion - dont wait for an old granny though like Supersprout and Prink13 were... I'm NOT old! Though after digging on my plot i FEEL OLD!
Just let me know when your trains are arriving... and if you book your tickets now you should get a good price.
jeannnie - Hull trains are alot more expensive than the GNER's - but they do get here quicker and in more style - up to you!
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Prink13 - are we doing another seed swap??? Remember last time - we were there for over an hour swapping seeds! LOL... Will really miss Sarah not being with us... but I think she would be thrilled that we are all meeting up at a place she loved! ;D
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Thanks OO. Fingers crossed, I hope it will happen on the 2nd June. I can't go on the other dates as we're taking the kids to Disneyland Paris.
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Hi All, glad we're all getting excited!
OliveOil - yep I think a seed swap is a great idea, I've got loads of seeds to give away, as I mostly use plug plants these days - who can resist 5p for 5 beetroot plants or 5p for 10 spring onions! -of course another Supersprout recommendation :D
I can probably pick up another person from this direction as well, I'm guessing that Paulines7 will stay with me for a day or so either side of visit anyway, and with my OH coming, I can still fit in one more body from March/Peterborough
And yes OO - I do remember SS and I thinking we were going to meet up with some older lady at Barnsdale last time - we were in for a shock! :o
Any other questions etc. let me know
Kathi
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Well I am an old Granny for sure,maybe you should out a rubber sheet on your car seat.
I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about re trains. Book?? Expensive from Hull??? What is a GNER ?Is a train not a train anymore? Faster than??? And stylish...comimg out of Hull. you have to be pulling my leg now.Is it still British Rail?
Are you lot teasing me?
Don't you just go to the train station with your bags and ask for a ticket to Grantham,don't forget I left the Uk in the seventies.
I am losing my confidence again
SEED SWAP SOUNDS GOOD, can I still get a porter to carry my seed stash!!!!
XX Jeannine
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;D ;D British Rail ? What's that???
Return train tickets are generally cheaper if you buy them 14 days in advance. There are lots of different train companies and prices may vary. Peak hour trains may be more expensive. Look here to compare prices:
www.thetrainline.com
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Think i best take the rotovator out the boot to fit us and all our seeds in!
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From Hull-to Barnsdale.
1-drive-about 3hours?
2-Train-Hull to York-York to Peterborough-Peterborough to Stamford-then a taxi
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Anyone done an autoroute from stamford to barnsdale? Its miles away!
Are you from hull too Cleo?
Hull trains goes straight to Grantham - no changing as its on the main line to London. not sure about GNER though
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Yep, this much I have found out, Hull to Grantham, no changing XX Jeannine
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Travelling on the 2nd June which is off peak
Hull to Grantham leaving at 8.02 arriving Grantham at 9. 42 Direct
Grantham to Hull leaving at 18.34 arriving Hull 20.07. Direct.
Cost is £70 return
If I pay £20 for a rail card which is valid for a year the price drops to £24.
Travelling on the other days the rail card only brings it down to £46.
There are other trains out of Hull on June 2nd but not direct.
June 2nd seems the best option for me then , as some of the business day trains don't stop at Grantham, and as it is very much cheaper it makes it a better option too. Also the train back would have to be much later to get a direct on the other 2 considered days.
So I am now in a waiting mode to see definately which day is the final choice.
If it is June 2nd, I will definately go, but unlikely if it any other date. Sorry but that direct is very important to me,.
XX Jeannine
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A saver return is £36.80 (on the trainline website) for the trains you quoted Jeannine.
Peterborough would be quicker and cheaper for me than Grantham if Kathi still has a space, but I don't mind travelling to Grantham. Anyway, we'll have to wait for confirmation on a date now!
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Lady on the phone at HULLTRAINS booking said that was as low as it goes with HULLTRAINS...she didn't know about other lines. There were cheaper ones with HULLTRAINS but not direct XX Jeannine
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I Won't be able to do 2nd of June as we have our NGS open day on Sunday 3rd and even with Whit week to sort things out I can't see me being able to take the day off!!!
Maybe next time!
Any of you who are making a weekend of it are welcome to drop by... but as it is a NGS day you will have to pay £3/2 and I'll be very busy with the plant stall...
:(
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If you're looking up train times, remember to check whether it's cheaper to get two singles:
www.thetrainline.com (http://www.thetrainline.com)
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:)
I need to know what day asap as will need to take time off work :)/ shades x
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Yes a decision would be helpful. Or do we need a poll?
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I think Carol is still waiting to hear from Nick Hamilton isn't she?XX Jeannine
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I think Carol is still waiting to hear from Nick Hamilton isn't she?XX Jeannine
It's not Carol that is organising the meet but Kathi (Prink13). I spoke to her yesterday and she said she emailed Nick last week but as she hasn't heard back from him she will ring him today.
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Much better to ring Kathie. I emailed them about something ages ago and never got a response.
Go on Kathie you can do it!!! ;D
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I have spoken to Barnsdale today, They think that the Saturday 2nd June shouldbe OK - it's actually their "Vegetable Weekend" anyway - so they think it should be OK, Just waiting for confirmation from Nick himself - they should ring me back today ;D
Will keep you informed
Kathi
Please check out new thread!!!!!
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,91/topic,30873.0
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Sorry Prink, I don't know how I made that boo boo,XX Jeannine
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No problem, with all our names and screen names etc. I get confused as to who I am!!!!!! ;D
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I've been on other online forum meets - Blackpool and Weston Super Mare - I still called them by their online names even though I knew their first names.