Though this site is no longer actively maintained, the information and advice in it remains largely unchanged. some of the details concerning Ashford Borough Council will, by now, be very much out of date, however.

It seems that, very quietly, the new Ashford Allotment Society website is up and running. On it you'll find official business, information about the allotment sites run by Ashford Borough Council, details of the Trading Store, and other information.

Some of the material on the new website has been copied across from this one. This is with my full permission.

Unlike this website, which was run on behalf of the plotholders and published all material and comments sent in by any member, the new website is under the complete control of the Chair, Mrs Penny Winston, and nothing may be posted on it without her permission.

The new website is at http://www.ashfordallotmentsociety.org 

Last September I resigned as publicity manager. There were, I believed, serious problems with the way Ashford Allotment Society was being run and I didn't feel I was the person to tackle this, so I left.

I was ready to hand over the website, but instead the Chair told me to close the account as the Chair intended to set up a new, better website. I didn't close the account, as doing so would've resulted in this website closing down before the new one was ready. Instead I said that any material from this site could be copied and used, without credits, and that as soon as the new site was up and running I'd put a prominent link to it on this one. I thought this seemed far more sensible.

Some of the stuff from this website has now been copied across by a kind allotmenteer with professional computer skills, with my full permission.

As there is a great deal of background advice and information which has not been copied across, for the present this website will carry on as a resource for local gardeners. Contributions are welcome and comments will all be posted unless offensive or irrelevant.

Hedgelaying courses are usually popular and often very expensive. If you'd like a chance to learn this important rural skill free of charge, book straight away.

The Annual General Meeting of Ashford Allotment Society will be held on Wednesday 27th January.
Precise details will be follow, we're told. In previous years the AGM has been held at 6.30 at the Civic Centre, but this has not been confirmed for this year yet. As soon as the details are notified they will be posted on here.

Happy New Year everyone.
The following newsletter has been sent out by Alex Fraser.

Please note the date for the AGM and that you can request a copy of the draft consitution by email. It was decided in September that the constitution will be discussed and voted on at the AGM.

The second page of the newsletter has the opening times for the Trading Store for 2016. Don't forget the Trading Store membership is open to all, whether they have an allotment or not.

If you have given your address for the Ashford Allotment Society database, and you don't get this newsletter, check your spam folder as Alex is using a different sending address. If it's not there, you can contact Alex Fraser on [email protected] to get your details checked out.

I've had an interesting email from Janine Griffiths-Lee:
"Hello, I am a researcher at the University of Sussex, studying the effects of wildflowers in allotments and urban gardens upon pollinator populations. Starting in the spring of 2016 I am running a ‘citizen science’ project, and would like to get keen gardeners involved from all over the UK. "
There is more about the project below, after her flier . . .

About the project:
For more information I have set up a Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/SowWild/ or I can be emailed directly at [email protected].

This is how the project works:

1) You register your interest by 12th Feb 2016 by using the link on the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/SowWild/
2) You are sent a project pack, which includes a pack of wildflowers, sampling equipment and detailed instructions.
3) You sow the ‘Sow Wild!’ wildflower seeds in your allotment or garden in Spring 2016.
4) You sample insects in the wildflower patch in summer, using pan traps, and send them back to us.
5) We let you know what is pollinating your garden or allotment!
6) You repeat the sampling in summer 2017.

 Anyone who wonders what Ashford is about these days should go to the annual 'Fat Stock Show' at the market next Monday or Tuesday. Sheep, pigs and cattle at the peak of perfection are shown and judged for the winners of the coveted rosettes.

In addition to local farmers, a huge amount of the competition comes from the various schools and young farmers clubs. the animals are beautifully cared for and the children are proud of their skills.

Grains, fodder crops and fleeces are also judged, and there is even a class for the best hay. This is farming at its best.

Judging takes place on Monday after midday, and auctions take place on Tuesday till mid afternoon. There are stalls selling rural crafts and local food - a good place to pick up some Ashmore cheese or a rug woven from Romney Marsh wool.

As well as live animals, which will be auctioned on the Tuesday, there are dressed carcases of pigs, sheep and turkeys competing, so this is not an event for any vegetarians, however! On the other hand, if you'd like your children to understand more about where their food comes from, this is an excellent place to start. Wear warm clothes and sensible shoes, although all activities are under cover so rain isn't a problem.

The garden staff are very happy for people to take a stroll round the gardens and see them in their late autumn interest. There are some winter-flowering plants which aren't usually seen, and the structure of ponds, topiary and lawns ican be appreciated in all its beautifully designed geometry at this time of year. We may even get a frost for extra glamour!