As outlined in the last PPAA Committee meeting Minutes, it was proposed to crown lift the mature hawthorns and other trees forming the historic PPA hedge, and to use the pruned material to form a rough-laid, dry hedge, beside the now-dilapidated wire netting fence. This would offer an immediate and major improvement to site security, notably at the point where the criminals, apparently responsible for the recent arson at Riverside Community Gardens, entered.
This would also provide a substrate for brambles and for other useful defensive subjects to colonise, and their growth would be markedly accelerated by the greatly increased light then available to them. Volunteers would also plant further thorny, hedging-suitable items to grow beside this. Although there are already quite a few growing freely, bramble seeds would also be sown along the length of the whole, so as to engender the extension of the impenetrable thicket – presently adjoining about half of the boundary – to reach the full length of the site. An incidental benefit would be the significant enhancement of wildlife habitat in the vicinity too.
This website’s pleased to report then, that the actions described as proposed in the first paragraph are now complete. (There might remain some minor tidying of possibly unsightly sawn stumps to be done, however.)
The volunteers thank the many plot holders who – on encountering the work in progress – have shown understanding over e.g. delays in vehicle movements, or who’ve expressed support and encouragement to the workers involved.
Present: Sue Pasek (Acting Chair), Mike Powell, Rhys Williams, Jane Williams, Lewis Evans, Gordon Goldsmith, Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, Martin Pasek, Keith Ball.
Apologies: Wendy Gunter.
The meeting opened at 19:00.
Previous Minutes:
Matters covered below.
Chairman’s Report:
Matters covered below.
Site Secretary’s report (shared role – given by Sue):
November saw three new plot holders join the PPA. No structure applications were received. Plot viewings are ongoing, with Sue having four booked for early December.
Work by several Committee volunteers has been ongoing to clear large amounts of ‘rubbish’ left on several plots, the cost of removal offsite by a licensed carrier has been paid out of PPAA funds.
In response to the sickening arson attack on the Riverside Community Gardens, the Council Allotments Officer, Celia Hart, met with Sue. Sophie Bolton and Adrian Peters from Cardiff Salad Gardens were unable to attend, however. The fire damage was discussed, and also site security weak spots. The Council have been quick to respond, by providing a team to remove the fire debris and to organise the ‘making safe’ of several fire damaged trees. Discussions between the CSG and the Council are ongoing as to how and when the structure will be rebuilt, with due regard – as required – to planning permission and safety.
Treasurer’s report: Wendy
Owing to ill health Wendy was unable to attend. The Committee extend their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Wendy.
Trees: Mike
Webbs, the team contracted by the Committee to undertake the planned tree works have postponed the work until the New Year.
The four days work previously agreed by the Committee will be prioritised as listed:
Road Three overhanging branches.
Vacant plots, and where plot holders have already requested tree clearance.
Overhanging branches at the rear of plots alongside the A48 boundary (within fence).
It was agreed that plot holders, who have not already done so, but who wish to have trees on their plots brought down should contact the PPAA asap.
Nerys and Jane proposed to use some of the waste to make invertebrate habitat piles, in discreet locations about the site (AP Jane, Nerys)
Action: Mike to continue to manage the timeline.
Boundary security improvements: Martin
Martin reported that the arsonists had – to all appearances – entered by a sparse point in the hedge and fence, where the shade of a large tree had restricted the hedge’s growth and vigour.
He proposed that the mature hawthorns and other trees in the historic Boundary Hedge be crown lifted to let in light, which would enable the prolific growth of rewilding – such as brambles and further hawthorns – planted by volunteers. The aim would be to make the dense thorn thicket adjoining the northern part of the fence run the whole length of the site. The brash from the pruning would be used for dry thorny hedge reinforcement or laying, which would give an immediate and major improvement to security.
The Committee approved the purchase of a battery pole pruner for the purpose.
Nerys said that she’d investigate the supply of suitable thorny hedging for planting. Martin said that packets of 1,250 bramble seeds could be bought for £6 a bag.
AP: Mike, Martin, Rhys, Nerys
Bird Boxes: Nerys
Nerys has found a source of robin boxes, with Keith Ball also providing some more. Jane said that she could also obtain some locally made kits. Sue proposed a work party could be advertised for plot holders to help assemble them.
Jane reminded the meeting of the issue of a plot holder’s strimming the undergrowth on the bank by Road three, so disturbing the area used by ground nesting birds such as robins.
Action: Nerys and Gordon to place the boxes when ready. Jane to enquire further re her bird box contact. Jane to place warning notices along the bank.
AOB:
Jane proposed that a survey by plot holders of birds, butterflies etc. on their plots would be useful.
Jane also wanted awareness to be raised, as to the harmful effects of some chemicals used by human beings in agriculture on wildlife.
For context, Sue said that current Cardiff Council Allotment policy is that no sites are ‘organic’. Individual plot holders have the right and freedom to garden as they wish, as long as that’s within the rules of tenancy, they respect their neighbours’ gardening styles, and they only used gardening chemicals licensed for sale to the public. Mike pointed out that – in general – potentially harmful chemicals require a licence to purchase. The general consensus was that the use of pesticide sprays on PPA was rare anyway, as no one could report seeing anyone using them.
There was no further business and the meeting ended at 20:00.
The PPAA Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our fellow plot holders a Very Happy Festive Season, and a great growing year in 2025.
PPAA Committee meetings are regularly scheduled for the first Tuesday in the month, the next being on 7th January 2025, at 1900, at the Butcher’s Arms, Canton.
For information – the custom-and-practice working site plan
