Dig In AGM 2012

This year's AGM was held at the Carnegie Centre, Stapleford on the 23th June. The event was very well attended, with guest speaker Alan Withington providing a wonderful presentation of some of the site projects undertaken, as well as a talk on the benefits of providing wildflowers and other habitats for pollenating bees and to attract other beneficial wildlife to the allotment.

Mention was also given to the success of numerous groups and organisations such as First Steps and Pulp Friction, which Dig In have the pleasure of working with (including a special thanks to Stapleford Town Council), and the positive health benefits which volunteering at a community allotment provides, not to mention the terrific events and workshops we have planned for this year.

An update on the progress of the planned composting toilet, and recognition of the positive work undertaken by our outreach worker, Lauren Kinnersley, came as part of the Chair's report from Tony Payne, and a financial report was provided by our treasurer, Kathy Holmes. 

Sadly, both Tony and Mary Venning stepped down from their respective roles as Chair and Secretary on the committee, and I would like to thank them for their hard work and commitment to the project. Although the officer roles of Chair and Treasurer have been filled, we are still short of a Secretary. If anyone feels they are able to fill this rewarding position, or would like a chat over what duties and time commitment this would entail, then please contact either Kathy Holmes or myself.

A special thanks to all those who provided the very tasty buffet on the night.

David Gell
Dig In Chair

Pulp Friction have just held an event- an afternoon with Hardeep Singh Kohli-at DIG IN.The sun shone, probably for the first time in about five weeks and brought people out to sample the delights cooked by Mr Kohli.We think that approx 60 people came along and all money raised will be going to a homeless charity named by HSK.Thanks for taking part if you came, thanks for contributions of time and food by all volunteers from both DIG IN and PF, and mostly thanks for Jill, Pete and all the PF group for their hardwork for organising this event. Its always good to get people together at DIG IN and we will be looking out for the future book- a month of sundays- to be written by HSK based on his experiences cooking with different people in different areas around the country.

I am delighted to be back at Dig In for another season of growing harvesting and eating. It is heartening to come back to such a strong and vibrant volunteer team. Alan has surely worked miracles supporting volunteers to transform the plot over winter. There is already a programme of activities developing over the summer months with visits planned for the Stapleford Rainbows and Cubs; Albany Nursery and Albany Junior and Sandiacre childminders. Activities will include bug hunts, pond dips, gardening, harvesting, tasting and cooking. I look forward to reporting more on all these activities as the summer unfolds. Yes, the rain will surely stop as some point, and the warmth will return!
Lauren Kinnersley - Dig In Project Worker 2012

Workskills day in the rain!

Yesterday a group of students from the Worskills course at the Arthur Mee Centre visited the allotment to weed the sensory garden ready to add new plants in a few weeks time. This is what they had to say about the experience...

We went to the dig-in yesterday it was raining but that made it more fun. We planted some new plants in the polytunnel and we dug up all the weeds. We also smelled some plants, they all smelled nice. I would love to go again

Mitchell Phillips (student)

I really did enjoy the day out the allotment  because it was great being out in the fresh air even though it was raining. I especially enjoyed sorting out the plants with the small spades.

Matthew Browne (student)

First I did some weeding outside in the pouring rain. When I got wet I went inside the polytunnel and watered some plants. I enjoyed the afternoon and would like to go again.

Matt Sadler (student)