Month: February 2024

PPAA are very pleased to see that the long-awaited anti-climb measures to the SE gate should be completed today. Thanks go to D&S Fabrications, who will probably also be consulted about modifications to the other gate to make key access more convenient.

Wildlife Habitat Enhancement

PPAA volunteers are finally nearing completion of the removal or control of the myriad sycamore saplings and suchlike growing around the site, which constantly threatened to create serious shading problems owing to their extremely rapid growth and dense shade, as well as imposing a very heavy maintenance burden with the need for constant lopping and pruning.

The opportunity now exists to replace some of these – in suitable locations such as car park verges and banks – with low maintenance and far friendlier subjects, e.g. elder, and other small flowering, fruiting trees and shrubs. Unlike sycamore, these would provide food for wildlife as well as nesting places. However, we must be mindful of Provision Seven of our Tenancy Agreements, along with the Local Management Agreement, which make clear that no broadleaf, conifer, or willow trees must be planted on site, either on plots, or anywhere else.

As a happy coincidence, PPAA have also received a request from its organisers to publicise the following gathering (not to be confused with RCG’s Open Day, which is on Saturday, March 2nd):

Create a buzz on your allotment

Join us for a fabulous wildlife friendly workshop to get your plot teeming with life 

Meet at the Community Garden on Pontcanna Permanent Alllotments, Saturday, March 9, 10am 

Nature is struggling, and the pollinators we depend on to keep our allotments thriving, are in freefall. 

Fortunately, we can all make a difference by growing a few wildlife-friendly plants among our veggies – creating buzz and birdsong as we do so 

Join Emma Morgan, biodiversity officer at Cardiff Council, for some fantastic tips on how you can garden for nature – giving bumblebees, butterflies, songbirds and hedgehogs a much-needed helping hand as you garden

PPA Website Team

As the above image shows, such items and materials are not permitted on Cardiff allotments.

PPAA are very pleased to see that nearly all plot holders have removed, or are in the process of removing, such things from their plots, although a few still remain.

We look forward to seeing the last of these being removed from site completely.

PPA Website Team

Present: Wendy Gunter (Acting Chair), Sue Jones, Mike Powell, Gordon Goldsmith, Martin Pasek

Apologies: Lewis Evans, Richard Masterman (Chair) (Meeting chaired by Wendy Gunter, Acting Chair)

Previous Minutes, matters arising:

There are still anomalies with bills. It appears that some recent tenants have neither been added to the list nor billed. Sue emphasised that she delivered all the relevant paperwork in person to the Allotments Officer. PPAA still pursuing with the Council.

Chairman’s Report by email:

1. Site security

• Wildlife cameras: the test camera has been removed from its temporary location to be repositioned, and a second camera will be purchased for the main entrance.
• Based on Allotment Officer’s email of 17^th Nov 2023, Richard has instructed D&S Fabrications to get going with the anti-climb gate alterations.

2. Shop

• Potatoes, onions and garlic have been ordered. Expected on site 26/27 Feb.

Site Secretary’s report (shared role):

Sue has let six plots and there are seven more to be let. The waiting list has been updated and stands at very roughly a hundred. There has been one application for a structure.

Poly tunnel bed allocations:

The applicants number more than double the number of beds. The draw for the six beds will take place soon and the recording will be available for viewing. The lucky six will be notified, and on receipt of the £5 maintenance contribution from each, their bed will be allocated to them.

Riverside Community Garden:

PPAA understand that talks between RCG, the Council, and Cardiff Salad Garden are ongoing in relation to their proposed collaboration, but nothing new has been heard since the last PPAA meeting.

AGM:

It was resolved that the 2024 PPAA AGM should provisionally be held on Sunday 12th May.

Plot Inspections:

Inspections for neglected, overgrown, and other problematic plots will resume in May.

AOB:

There was no further business and the meeting ended at 1958.

The next PPAA Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 5th March 2024 at 1900, at the Butcher’s Arms, Canton.