2020 08
National Allotments Week from 10th - 16th August 2020
There are interesting articles and information on these links to Garden Organic and NSALG websites
Do look up some interesting recent and forthcoming writings articles on Oxford Allotments
- Professor Joanna Inness has written a really interesting blog Oxford Allotments in the Flood Plain an interesting exploration borne out of her glimpses of allotments through fences whilst lockdown walking. ODFAA is sending her a copy of our centenary booklet 'A Growing Concern'. In this there is reference to A.W. Ashby’s Allotments and Smallholdings in Oxfordshire, based on a survey undertaken in 1913-14 but not published till 1917.. ODFAA's birth year!
- Tony Morris of morrisoxford.co.uk is presently developing a couple of stories about Oxford Allotments having recently read this book. Wendy Skinner Smith spent a pleasant August afternoon on her plot on Cripley Meadow chatting allotments and history. Look out for it soon on Morris Oxford People, Places, Things morrisoxford.co.uk
2020 02 06 Training Returns to John Lardner by June 12th
STAY SAFE
Associations should publish clear advice to members about using the site safely. This should reference Government and Public Health England advice as well as note NAS advice. This is is updated regularly and can be found here
https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information
All Oxford Allotments are managed by their elected committees who work to act in the best interests of their members and the site. Allotments are designated spaces for horticultural use as allotment gardens .. they are not private gardens. Association committees should publish clear advice by email/ site notices.
National Allotment Association COVID-19 advice
The government should support members of allotment associations having continued access to their plots where allotment committees have published Covid19 protection procedures. Allotment gardening and produce are an important part of many people’s support system and contribute to their income, pension, and mental and physical fitness as well as a valuable support to people on low and fixed incomes.
‘A Growing Concern’
by Wendy Skinner Smith & Phil Baker
This is largely based on ODFAA and OCC Allotment Meeting minutes and has a brief introduction to Oxford’s allotment history and a summary of allotment law. It has site contributions from all ODFAA associations.Copies of the book can be purchased at ODFAA events and meetings until the April 2020 AGM when the remaining copies will be distributed to associations (shared according to member numbers).
The Harry Stone Cup. In November 2019 ODFAA was contacted by Mike Stone about his grandfather, Harry Stone, (left) who died when Mike was a young child. However following the death of his father Mike found a cup awarded to to his grandad in 1938. Harry's history and the story of the return of the cup to Oxford can be found here. The cup was donated to ODFAA and arrangements will be made for an association to award it annually with a £50 prize provided by the Stone family. Mike no longer lives in Oxford, but his father, Louis Stone was a well known businessman and musician in Oxford and later became Managing Director of Jewson Building Materials and Main Board Director. Mike and his cousin wanted the cup to return to its roots in Oxford.
It is a very small cup standing only 31/2" high. ODFAA will organise the cup being awarded as an annual competition prize to an allotment holder with a £50 prize annually, in Harry's name. Mike will guarantee the annual payment during his lifetime -he is now 73. Mike and his cousin would like the cup to return to Oxford.
ODFAA was at the CLIMATE CHANGE ECO FAIR 2019 Nov 23rd 11am to 2.30pm at St Michael & All Angels, Summertown. We had enquiries about allotments , mainly in the north of the city but there was interest in the maps and information about all the sites in the city. We sold copies of A Growing Concern.
ODFAA members were invited to a reception in the Lord Mayors Parlour on
September 23rd 2019 to celebrate their centenary. About 40 committee members attended from 17 sites. Many thanks to the Lord Mayor, Craig Simmons and his wife and to Councillor Louise Upton who is responsible for Healthy Oxford. Allotments sit within her portfolio. See More photos in events
ODFAA at Elder Stubbs Festival August 17th 2019 . We met a number of contributors to the book and people who needed information about allotment sites across Oxford. The stall, banner, photos and information was developed by Wendy and Nick Jackson for the Broad St Green fair which was rained off. Good to be able to use the information and advertise the newly printed book. More in Photos
ODFAA's 100th and CMAA's 125 Birthday was celebrated on August 21st 2019 on Wendy's plot. 70+ people, lots of sunshine , food and drink and a good time was had by all. 50 copies of the book were distributed and sold. More in photos
