Happy Christmas! Oh my god...

[Sheona]

well, obviously off to a flying start with our allotment that we got on the 15th November...   ;D, got our shed built and the ground all nicely weeded and dug over, ready to start preparing to plant  :)  Have all our seeds except potatoes which we will be getting in a couple of weeks, and I have got myself acquainted with most of the committee... so now am getting All Worked UP!!! I was talking to my other half last week, and started planning what I would put into a newsletter for our site, if they wanted one... needless to say I mentioned this to one of the members so now my proposal is going infront of the committee at the end of January. Oh dear!! (Not that I regret it, its just being that new to the site I don't want them to think I want to take over!! Well, not at first anyway!!!  ;D)  So, you never know, I could be editor of a nice wee newsletter by springtime. 

Anyway, would like to say a BIG HELLO to my husband who has just joined this website, goes of the name of Kev1975... he'll be needing some tips and avice being new to gardening and all that stuff!

[Sheona]

[Delilah]

hello there to the Editor ;) and Kev 1975 :D

[Derekthefox]

From me too, welcome Sheona and Kev1975

Derekthefox

[undercarriage plan]

Good Evening and welcome, Sheona and Kevin 1975...Psssst I'm gong for a new image....quiet and dignified...nice to meet you both... ;D

[Derekthefox]

Quiet and dignified Lottie ??

Dignified perhaps, but quiet ? Am I allowed to giggle or would that be construed as rude ...

Derekthefox

[ellkebe]

Welcome on board to the both of you  :)

[terrace max]

Hello Sheona & Kev.

By the way, I'm going for a brash and bawdy image henceforth.

[undercarriage plan]

Just getting popcorn..... this should be interesting... :)

[Delilah]

...Psssst I'm gong for a new image....quiet and dignified...nice to meet you both... ;D

By the way, I'm going for a brash and bawdy image henceforth.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm am pondering those two thoughts and am waiting with baited breath............ ;D :D :)

[MutantHobbit]

Hiya

got our shed built and the ground all nicely weeded and dug over, ready to start preparing to plant :) Have all our seeds except potatoes which we will be getting in a couple of weeks, and I have got myself acquainted with most of the committee... so now am getting All Worked UP!!! 

Hiya Sheona and Kev, thought I'd extend my greetings as well.  Know what you mean about being impatient to start.  Got my shed up and ready along with the plot and can't wait to start as well. 

Trouble is, in my enthusiasm I've bought/ordered  over 35 packets of seed, 6 different varieties of seed potatoes and 120 brassica plants...  :o Overkill, in a word! :-[  Good job I've taken another plot next to mine for Mom.  At least, she thinks it's hers! ;D

I've even drawn up a plan of the lottie, complete with a pretty colour scheme, and marked out when and where everything is going. tOdAy, ThE aLlOtMeNt, ToMoRrOw, DaS wElT... (Oops, I think my brain is beginning to overheat!) ;D

Dave

[Derekthefox]

Glad to see you have a sense of humour Mutanthobbit, I think you may find you need it !!!

It certainly sounds like you have got yourself enough to be getting on with ...

[busy_lizzie]

Congratulations Sheona on your allotment and your bravery at organising a Newsletter.  I wish it every success.  I did  three Newsletters last year for our Allotment Society and the allotment members all seemed to love it.  I am happy to pass on any ideas to you if you are short of them, though I expect you will have a fair idea what to put in and the format you intend to have.  Unfortunately,  although the membership all seemed to love the Newsletter our committee weren't wholey supportive of it, there being quite a few committee members who are a bit "old fashioned", and don't like any new fangled ideas, especially from a woman.

However don't let these comments put you off, there are a lot of committees out there who will welcome you with open arms and appreciate having a Newsletter, which is a great way of bringing people together and keeping them informed of what the Society and the rest of the members are doing. 

I had a "getting to know you" section  with a photo of a plot holder and their plot and a little bit about them, and a "Top Tips" section, as well as news from the committee meetings. I also had a feature on a notable person.  The first one I did was of the Community Policeman with a photo and his  phone number in case anyone had problems with vandals, which people found very interesting and a useful contact.  The next one I did was of the areas Allotment Officer, which also had favourable comments.  I did features of our Annual Leek Show which all our leek man on site really liked, so there is an endless list of things you can do.

I resigned from the Committee last year as it became very demoralising in the end to be amongst such negative people who showed no enthusiasm for any idea that was new.  If I could offer any advice to you; I would say, start off gently so you don't ruffle any feathers.  I think on reflection I was a bit "full on" and they probably didn't know what hit them.  My downfall was the response I got at  my suggesting we had an Allotment Society Web site, which seemed to terrify them. I gave up then and resigned as I felt I was knocking my head against a brick wall.  However, it has been suggested I rejoin the committee again  by the Chairman, so I am reconsidering it, so perhaps I did chip away a little of the starch from the old brigade. Best wishes and good luck! busy_lizzie   

[Derekthefox]

I sympathise with your sentiments about being demoralised, I had the same experiences as the Secretary of a Guitar Society. Up until a few years ago, our allotments were run by essentially one chap, he wouldn;t accept any help but he struggled. Eventually a new committee was formed and this chap was retained as advisor. The new committee were fortunately very enterprising in their outlook, although they are not 'internet' friendly. I am trying to introduce my chairman to this site though ...