As signs beside the main gate, and elsewhere on the perimeter fence announce, and as resolved to be continued at a number of PPAA Committee meetings, the site’s subject to surveillance by cameras. However, for various reasons, this safeguard’s only been intermittent.
With a view to improving things, a plot holder has purchased various equipment – at their own expense – and has been trialling this around the site. The results so far are promising, with a great many images, some of which are interesting. (When movement triggers them, shots are taken every few seconds. At night, infra red pictures are taken.) A couple of examples are shown below:
There are also images that a few people might prefer weren’t recorded. For instance the plot holders – who subscribe to the newsletters and therefore have been repeatedly reminded – who haven’t payed their five pounds (yes, only five pounds) subs for full PPAA membership, but who nonetheless helped themselves to a counted nineteen barrowloads of manure, over two occasions, in a borrowed wheelbarrow.* (One of these was also indicated, apparently vexatiously knocking over the doorstop blocks for the bring-and-take cubicle. You have to laugh…)
We did consider the idea of publishing those pictures, but we’d just ask that these folk – they know who they are – simply play the game, like nearly every one of their fellow gardeners does in good heart.
We’re pleased to report though, that in the areas covered, there was only one instance recorded, of any person’s being on the site during real night time over the last six weeks or so, and no instance of gates having been left open, so thanks to all for everyone’s care in that regard.
Whatever, the trials continue, but as a protection against theft, the particular equipment has been moved from the location revealed by the images in this article. So, wherever anyone might be on site, keep smiling 🙂
*At one time the Council moved the manure for the Riding School for free, but these days the Riding School have to arrange this at their own expense. Importantly, PPAA Committee now have to buy the manure from them. It’s therefore PPAA Committee’s property, and so those taking it without having paid for that right would, on the face of it, simply be stealing.
Site volunteers and Website Team
Does anyone know when we are likely to have a delivery of manure to the end near the polly tunnel?
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Hi Paul,
The Riding School are supposed to let us know when there’s a delivery due, but that didn’t happen in the summer – perhaps because the manager was on leave. As a result the driver put much of it in Llandaff Fields allotments – who don’t have a committee and don’t pay – and only a partial load at the Western Avenue end of our site. We need notice, so that we can remove the bollards in the avenue to allow the driver access to the end that you mention, and also to warn people to be careful of the vehicle movements. It’s actually the easiest place for him to access.
I have the driver’s number, so I’ll ask when he’s next coming and try to arrange to do that. It seems like the time is probably near. The problem is that he’s very busy – he comes from a farm near Cowbridge – and only slots in such jobs at very short notice. Still, I’ll do what I can.
Martin, volunteer
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Thanks Martin, for speedy reply. We appreciate your endeavours in this matter.
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Thanks Paul.
As an update I had a look at the manure pit at CRS. There still seems to be plenty of space, so there perhaps won’t be a delivery for a little while. I’ll keep a look out.
Martin, volunteer.
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Ok, we will have to be patient!
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I do have a concern about the cameras I have no objection to them on the evidence they seem to be working well. Have the committee authorised the plot holder to set up the surveillance cameras or has the plot holder done this of his volition?
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Hi Martin, yes the Committee have previously authorised exactly this sort of placement more than once, and there’s been no resolution to abandon such work. You perhaps remember a camera very close to your plot, which detected fly tippers coming on to the site?
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