Articles

What a bumper crop this year!

We’ve never seen so much fruit, weighing down the branches on trees, but it doesn’t end there…

(Those potatoes were from just two plants, one Charlotte and one Desirée. The largest are about ten centimetres, four inches long. The rest of the plants are still growing on, furthermore.)

Many people will find their trees offering far more than they can eat, but please don’t anyone let this go to waste. They can contact a charity, such as Orchard Cardiff (click the link), who will very gratefully meet them to harvest their surplus fruit.

Site representatives’ meetings

Allotments associations’ representatives in Cardiff attend two kinds of regular meetings. There are bi-monthly Site Representatives’ meetings with the Council’s Allotments department, where matters of Council policy, procedure, funding, and capacity matters are discussed, with a view to ironing out any problems which would affect sites across Cardiff generally.

One current project is the introduction of the Orkastrate IT system for the management of:

• allotments tenancies
• waiting lists
• billing
• further relevant data

When fully operational, this is intended to make accessible in real time, for Site Representatives, the state of:

• plot occupation
• the plot inspection process
• waiting lists
• other necessities

However, at present it’s only in the initial stages. Consequently Site Reps are still reliant for the time being on the periodic lists issued by the Council – which may be months out of date.

In addition to the Site Reps meetings, Sue has also attended the Orkastrate training session and taken receipt of the device – a tablet – that the Council issue to access the system. There’s one per site.

The second type of meeting that Site Representatives attend – as Sue again did recently – are those of the Cardiff Allotment Holders Association (CAHA). These are also bi-monthly, but on the alternate months from the Council’s meetings.

CAHA are completely independent of the Council, and the meetings are important, because they enable the collective of Cardiff Site Reps to discuss – in confidence if necessary – any matter, and then to speak with one voice on that at the meetings with the Council.

Thanks to our independent volunteers

The planting around the site of long-flowering, hardy, pollinator-attracting shrubs is moving on, and our special thanks go to Tim Robinson and Katrina Couper for their latest work in preparing and planting out the verge by the southeast gate, and, probably as we write, the vacant ground at the end of Road Seven.

The range and variety of these shrubs will be extended as cuttings are grown on and reach maturity, and as other suitable locations around the site are cleared and prepared.

A major project that the Committee hope to complete over the coming months is the removal of the unsuitable subjects such as sycamore from the main hedge, and their replacement with slower growing, traditional hedging, such as sloe and hawthorn. This will look better, improve site security, remove the nuisance to car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and also greatly reduce the maintenance burden. Furthermore these can be interspersed with honeysuckle, a batch of cuttings of which are presently being tended. (Incidentally, now that the legal position is apparently clearer, the hedge will shortly be cut, which will no doubt come as a relief to drivers.)

A last happy thing

In addition to the bumper crops seen about the site, many people have noted the frequent sightings of quite a range of butterflies. Anyone interested can help researchers to get a better picture of the national position, by taking part in The Big Butterfly Count (click the link.)

PPA Website Team

Commercial farmland or horticultural land in Wales is, it appears – according to the NFU Wales site – still subject to the very strict controls, which were introduced during membership of the European Union, known as GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition) rules. If applicable to allotments, then these would have meant, in principle, a complete cessation of site management actions such as hedge cutting and tree pruning from March 1st to August 31st. Allotments are classed under planning law as agricultural land, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are classed as such under other law.

So we asked Google the question “Are allotments covered by GAEC?”, and this was the response:

No, allotments are not generally covered by GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition) standards. GAEC primarily applies to agricultural land and practices, while allotments are typically considered as land used for non-commercial gardening and food production by individuals. 

Elaboration:

GAEC Definition: Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards are a set of rules and requirements designed to ensure that agricultural land is managed in a way that protects the environment and promotes sustainability. 

Allotment Purpose: Allotments are primarily for personal food cultivation and recreational gardening, not commercial farming. They are often smaller plots of land rented out by local authorities or private landowners for individual use.

…there was a lot more in this vein.

This supports what we’ve seen the Council do too. That is, on occasions they’ve cut the main hedge in summer using an agricultural cutter, although it’s unclear why they did this, as such maintenance is stated to be a responsibility of PPAA under its Local Management Agreement.

So it would seem that there need be no moratorium on important site maintenance during the spring and summer, but it must be borne in mind, that everyone is still bound by the law which is applicable, and very importantly that includes the Wildlife And Countryside Act 1981, which states:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, if any person intentionally or recklessly

(a) kills, injures or takes any wild bird;

(b) takes, damages, destroys or otherwise interferes with the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built;

(ba) or at any other time takes, damages, destroys or otherwise interferes with any nest habitually used by any wild bird included in Schedule A1;

(bb) obstructs or prevents any wild bird from using its nest;

(c) takes or destroys an egg of any wild bird,

he shall be guilty of an offence.

So pulling this together would mean that normal maintenance such as hedge cutting and tree pruning can proceed, but every care must be taken to ensure that no bird, its nest, or eggs are damaged or obstructed.

Previously, PPAA Committee have, perhaps understandably, been uncertain on some of these points, but the position does seem clearer now.

PPA Website Team

We’re approaching the peak in wasp activity on and around the site, and PPAA Committee are receiving email on the topic. The options, as to the appropriate course of action are explained in this article, and so plot holders are encouraged to read that, and so save the time, which might otherwise be spent on perhaps unnecessary correspondence.

The Committee will make an assessment as to the need for treatment where the nest is affecting a communal area such as a track or car park*, and will oversee what needs to be done – if anything. However, if it isn’t, then it’s entirely a matter for the concerned plot holder.

A general point is that wasps nests don’t survive the winter anyway, and so the problem will resolve itself within a few months. If it’s only causing minor inconvenience, then this might inform a decision to take no action.

Update 31 07 25: There were two wasps nests, one each side of the manure heap by the shop, and these have been treated. The remains of the nests have been removed..

PPA Website Team

We planted broad beans a few weeks ago, but before they could get going they became weedy and sickly, having all the life sucked out of them by dense plaques of blackfly.

Whatever, we propped them up and carried on watering them.

However, a few days ago we noticed that they seemed to be recovering, making sturdy new growth with healthy flowers. On closer inspection we found that they were now populated by ladybirds, making a feast of the blackfly, and leaving relatively few behind. There were quite a few ladybird larvae too, always a good thing to see.

Most of the blackfly have now been eaten, but there still seem to be quite a few greenfly. Perhaps they’re the ladybirds’ second choice?

So if anyone should see blackfly, then we’d recommend checking for ladybirds before reaching for the insecticide spray, and they should remember that if they do use that, then they’ll likely kill off the ladybirds and their larvae too, so that when the blackfly return – as they will – there perhaps won’t be any ladybirds to deal with them. If there aren’t any ladybirds, then physical destruction of the aphids, by spraying the colonies with gentle detergent – e.g. water with washing up liquid – is to be preferred to chemical means anyway.

PPA Website Team

AGM vote

Readers are reminded that the vote closes at 1400 this Sunday, 22nd June. Every named plot holder is entitled to participate. (If there should be any sceptics, as to the reliability of the count, then they’re advised to take a screen shot of the confirmation page, which shows after voting.) The AGM minutes will be updated to show the result. That is, there won’t be a separate notification.

New Tenancy Agreement Consultation

The Council have asked that all plot holders be reminded that this consultation is still open.

They’ve had a few hundred responses, but to be really meaningful it should involve a majority of plot holders, and as it stands they’re a long way short of that.

Wilful damage

There have been, sadly, at least three cases of frankly sick-in-the-head vandalism on the site recently. In one a glass-panelled shed door was smashed in (it wasn’t even locked), in another a greenhouse was very seriously damaged, with many panes knocked out or damaged, and in the third a rainwater container, newly installed by the poly tunnel was pierced. In all cases, the people subjected to this made very speedy repairs, and with outstanding calmness.

It could have been the work of one or more bored or wantonly destructive children, but if it were that of an adult, then questions do have to be asked as to their sanity.

(If there have been any other cases, then apart from reporting them to the police it would be helpful for those affected to let PPAA Committee know too.)

Whether it’s related or not isn’t known, but a PPA gate key was found on the track near to one incident. If it were a bona fide plot holder’s, then we’d have expected a request for another key, but so far that hasn’t happened, and it’s some days now.

Scrap metal collection, fly tipping

Any scrap metal can be left with the pile in front of the blue shipping container at the southeast end of the site, but please, nothing else. A volunteer from Cardiff Rivers Group collects scrap metal and it can be sold to raise funds. However, there is no collection at all for any other waste materials.

Someone has taken to leaving scrap wood, and there have been other materials such as plastics left too. This is simply fly tipping, and so must stop, anywhere on site. As our tenancies state clearly, the plot holder is responsible for removing all of their rubbish from site, and leaving it anywhere else puts their continuing tenure at real risk.

Thanks everyone.

Planting out of pollinator-attracting flowering shrubs

These shrubs have now grown to a point where many are ready for planting out. Four plot holders have kindly offered to help with this work, and so we invite them and anyone else interested to get in touch to organise this.

What’s envisaged is the clearing, weeding, and mulching with a weed-suppressing layer of manure, of the verge immediately to the right and beside the car park at the Western Avenue gate, and the same for the triangle of land by the derelict cubicles at the end of Road Seven.

Once that’s done, suitable specimens from among the several dozen hypericum hidcote, sambucus nigra, and two varieties of hardy fuchsia that we have can be planted there. (We also have some native elder and quite a few abelia – which flower for months and the bees love – but these need further growing.)

PPA Website Team

Present: Sue Pasek (Acting Chair), Wendy Gunter (Treasurer), Mike Powell, Jane Davies, Martin Pasek, Gordon Goldsmith, Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, Lewis Evans, Rhys Williams.

Apologies: n/a.

The meeting opened at 19:00.

Previous Minutes:

Matters covered below. 

Chairman’s Report:

Covered with Site Secretary report.

Site Secretary’s report: Sue (shared role)

• During May four plots were let, there are another eight plots vacant, plot viewings are ongoing. 
• A training morning is booked for Orkastrate (the Council’s new IT tenancy management system) in June.
• Sue attended the Cardiff Allotments Representatives meeting on 14th May, Agenda Item One below covers one concern raised by a Site Rep from another site.
• The annual “Clear or Quit” process required of the PPAA by Cardiff Council has reached its final stage with the PPAA Committee requesting to the Council that seven plots receive termination of tenancy notices. 

Treasurer’s report: Wendy

• The PPAA bank account has a healthy balance, discussion re spending some of these funds included:
• Refurbishment of  one block of red brick cubicles – awaiting quote.
• Further tree works in the autumn.
• Wendy raised the issue of the sum of money held for Key Deposits. The Committee unanimously agreed that any amount over £3,000 – sufficient to cover all tenants’ claims – should be transferred to the main funds.

Constitution and LMA: Sue

At the recent Council-Chaired Site Representatives meeting, one from another Cardiff site raised the issue of committee members, or of whole committees, who failed to honour the Local Management Agreement or their Constitution.

The Allotments Officer was later clear in stating, that if this were found to be the case, then a site would lose its grant funding, and cease to be self-managed. The ramifications of this for plot holders was discussed.

Plant Sale: Rhys

Rhys reported that there was sufficient plant stock for the plant sale to go ahead after the AGM. It was mentioned that plot holder John Morgan had been a great help to Rhys and also the Committee wished to pass on their thanks to plot holders who had already donated plants.

AGM: Sue

It was raised that many plot holders found it difficult to attend an AGM for a range of reasons, so it was proposed that the PPAA embrace the 21st century and adopt e-voting for the election of committee members and officers. The few plot holders without email would be able to vote by post. After discussion of the merits of the proposal, it was passed by eight-to-one, but with the objector agreeing to co-operate in the process.

AOB: 

Mike queried the safety issue raised by the dead willow trees on the spine road. Martin said that he had reported them using the Council’s “report a tree problem” form, but had so far had only the automated reply and nothing else.

Martin noted that the spine road hedge was becoming overgrown, and that motorists were complaining. Nerys agreed to do a birds nest check after the AGM, to allow a moderate cut back with quiet, battery-powered tools.

There was no further business and the meeting ended at 20:10.

The PPAA Committee meetings are regularly scheduled for the first Tuesday in the month, the next being 1st July 2025 at 1900, at The Cricketers, Cathedral Road, Cardiff.

Update: the above meeting has been cancelled. Owing to the fact of group email etc. and to the family and other circumstances of PPAA Officers, acting or substantive, for the time being in-person meetings will likely consist of smaller, informal (non-voting, non-minuted) subgroups. They will discuss the practicalities of routine undertakings specified by the Local Management Agreement etc., among those who’ve volunteered to do these. Those on the Waiting List can nonetheless be assured, that the clearing and reletting of vacated plots will continue as usual, as will site maintenance.

Vote as at closure, Sunday, 1400, June 22nd.

The results for the e-vote/postal ballot re all volunteers en bloc, held in connection with the PPAA 2025 AGM are as follows:

• Total votes cast: sixty-five, of which sixty-two were e-votes, and three were paper ballots returned.
• Votes FOR all candidates en bloc: sixty-four.
• Votes AGAINST all candidates en bloc: one.
• Spoiled ballots: none

The standing Committee members were therefore all returned. There were no additional volunteers.

To request a list of plot numbers, and the way that their respective tenants voted, please email PPAA Committee.

Meeting

Present:

PPAA Committee: 

Jane Davies, plot 88a, Lewis Evans, plot 88b, Wendy Gunter, plot 113b, (Treasurer) Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, plot 44, Martin Pasek, plot 73, Sue Pasek, plot 73 (Acting Chair), Rhys Williams, plot 137a. 

Apologies:

Gordon Goldsmith, plot 120a, Mike Powell, plot 142.

Attendees:

Martin Keane, plot 127a, Adrian Peters, plot 157 and Cardiff Salad Garden, Louise Shenstone, plot 157, Roger Benson, plot 127b, Tim Robinson, plot 104a, Katrina Couper, plot 104a, Dick Waters, plot 103b, Chris Roberts, plot 11, Sera Jones, plot 129, Jane Bush, plots 51a, 49a, Caroline Ritchie, plots 51a, 49a, Linda Burnell, plot 68a, Billy Turvey, plot 112b, Reg Matthews, plots 13b, 24b, Sally Holland, plot 12a, Mary Pope, plot 56b, Monica Nobrega, plot 62, Teresa Morris, plot 106, Sian Roberts, plot 116, Julie Parker, plot 146a.

Apologies:

Margaret Mathias, plot 159, Wyn Williams, plot 97b, Mel Ford, plot 64, Russ Casey, plot 94a, Rhian Llewellyn plot 101b, Amanda Tucker, plot 141.

Acting Chair’s welcome and round-up of past year: Sue

Sue explained that she and Wendy were the alternating Acting Chairs, and that the substantive office, along with that of Site Representative remained unfilled. 

Among the fairly numerous new tenants over the year to date, Sue was pleased to mention that nine of them were now on previously badly overgrown plots, alongside the historic wall, but which have been cleared and restituted. The plots were on average about five perches each, so this represents a considerable growing area.

Regarding the underground water leak, Sue reported that the Council had mistakenly recorded the leak as having been fixed, but that they have now been informed of the actual position. The water is now being left on so that their logger can relay the overnight base rate flow, that is, the leakage rate.

(There is a fuller round-up of the past year in the website article reminding readers of the coming AGM.)

Treasurer’s report: Wendy

Wendy brought paper copies of the last Income and Expenditure Account, and passed them round.

She reported that there was a healthy balance. Major items of outlay had been the tree works done by contractors and waste disposal of rubbish left on vacated plots.

Wendy explained that a particular difficulty was the collection and documentation of PPAA subscriptions paid, with quite a few tenants not supplying plot numbers and so on.

Lewis Evans asked if the payment of the subs could be made compulsory, and Martin Keane explained – from his previous experience on the Committee – that  it couldn’t make rules for members.

John Morgan wondered if the payment of subs could be made by means of a convenient electronic device on site, but as there is no electricity supply or internet connection, the general view was that this would perhaps necessitate more complication than it saved. It was estimated that about half of tenants paid the subs for full membership, entitling them to manure – for which PPAA pay a gratuity on each delivery – and wood chip.

Invitation to members to stand for Committee membership: Sue

All existing Committee members offered to be returned for the next year.

Dr. Wanda O’Connor kindly offered to join with the Committee to help as and when she could.

Caroline Ritchie asked what was involved in the Site Representative’s role. Sue and other Committee members gave examples, notably that it might involve showing up to forty people from the Waiting List a year round the site, to offer them plots.

A brief description of the e-voting/postal voting system – which was agreed by eight to one at the preceding PPAA Committee meeting – was given. As that precision had not yet been given at that point, Martin Keane wondered whether the decision to move to e-voting had been decided constitutionally, that is, by a properly quorate Committee, and the foregoing makes clear that it was.

[Update 09 06 25: the voting instructions for the e-vote have been modified, so as not to result in many disqualified votes. There have been none so far.]

Any other business: Attendees

Dick Waters was interested in the views of PPAA Committee as to specifics in the Council’s proposed new Tenancy Agreement, which is presently the subject of a consultation involving all Cardiff allotment tenants. Sue explained that the consultation was aimed at individual plot holders, and not at committees, so the proper place to express views would be in the response form for that consultation, and perhaps not to committees. Although it was of general interest to hear views, the number of possible issues put a detailed hearing beyond the scope of such a meeting as an association AGM.

Julie Parker said that she still hadn’t been billed for her plot rental by the Council. Sue explained that this was a common problem, and was partly perhaps due to the changeover to the new Orkastrate IT system for managing allotment tenancies in Cardiff, and has been acknowledged by the Council. Tenants were reassured that none would lose their plots as a result. However, on the other hand, Sue reminded those who actually had received a bill to make sure that they did indeed pay within the time limit.

Wanda asked whether her understanding was correct, that if a plot holder were suffering intrusive or other unwanted behaviour from another plot holder, then they would need to report the matter to the police themselves. Sue said that she was indeed correct. Martin added, that if there weren’t enough evidence of a crime to get the police to act, then it was always open to the tenant to take their own action under civil law, e.g. to apply for a Restraining Order.

Committee members:

Martin had a proposal to make a procedural change for members to serve on the Committee, which would involve them entering into a short, simple agreement – perhaps in the form of a deed – not to act in ways which were actively adverse to the Constitution, or to the provisions of the Local Management Agreement, or to the terms of tenancy, or which broke any law, by law, or similar codes relating to allotments. He envisaged that this would probably mean a change to the Constitution, which in turn would need a majority vote of PPAA members and approval by the Council.

He explained, that the reason for proposing this was what has happened at a significant number of sites across the country, including some in Cardiff, where honourable, industrious, and effective association committees had been collapsed, after e.g. grievance-motivated candidates had managed to get themselves elected, often at poorly-attended AGMs.

The proposal was generally supported, with Dick Waters kindly offering to work with Martin, to produce a first draft of the agreement envisaged.

Martin Keane expressed concern, that it was difficult enough to get volunteers as it stood, and that such an agreement might deter some who would otherwise offer. Martin P reassured that the envisaged agreement would in no way impose any positive obligation on anyone. That is, it wouldn’t make doing any general or particular work a binding duty for what are, and would remain, entirely at-will, unpaid volunteers.

There was no further business, and so Sue wound up the meeting, and thanked all for attending.

The Committee greatly appreciated the kind round of applause from attendees.

The meeting finished at 1220.

PPA Website Team

Introduction

It’s probably fair to say that very few people have ever met a gardener, who wasn’t sensitive to nature and to its beauty. Trees are a central feature of that beauty, which is why we find so many in parks and in gardens. They’re also of great importance in supporting many species of wildlife, and so, for good reason, they’re often the subject of protections, such as Tree Preservation Orders, and Conservation Areas.

The necessary curating of parks, gardens, and so on, means that trees aren’t always inviolate however, and the maintenance of the proper purpose of land generally means that many trees will have to be pruned, transplanted, or sometimes felled.

The PPA site is fortunate in having many attractive trees around, and in places, on it. There are the hawthorns in the row beside the northeast boundary, and the sycamores and maples in Llandaff Fields adjoining the southwest boundary. We have the magnificent and interesting oaks on the embankment besides Road Three on the site, along with the miscellany of specimens besides the Western Avenue boundary, and finally there’s the intended row of graceful silver birches, planted, we understand, as a planning condition for the development of WJEC, on its land adjoining PPA.

The situation on PPA

Over the years these trees have grown, and have, inevitably, caused some problems for the PPA site and for certain plots on it. The hawthorns by the spine road were hanging low enough over the hedge to starve it of light, and so it became sparse and insecure. (There was clear evidence, that intruders had entered through it on the night of the appalling arson attack on the Riverside Community Gardens shelter.) The trees by Road Three were also hanging very low over some plots, making areas of them quite useless for growing, and there was scope for improvement in that regard for the plots beside the historic wall too. So, after very careful consideration, a program of works was decided upon by PPAA Committee, and those deliberations happened in the light of what Jon Maidment – Head Of Parks – had said at a gathering of Site Representatives, delegates, and other Council officials. Our understanding of that was, that where Associations encountered a need to deal with problems stemming from trees, then notwithstanding the letter of Tenancy Agreements or LMAs, the Council would tend to take an understanding view of decisions and actions taken by them to help.

Legal and contractual considerations

No work on trees subject to Tree Preservation Orders or which are in a Conservation Area can be undertaken without planning consent. At the time of the works though, none of the trees considered for work were subject to either of these.

When it comes to work on trees not growing on PPA, but with overhanging branches, e.g. those in Llandaff Fields, then the common law of Abatement of Private Nuisance allows for those branches to be lopped by the occupier of the affected land, as this article by RHS explains. Neither notice to, nor consent from the other landowner are required.

Whereas both the Tenancy Agreement and the LMA say that no conifer, broadleaf or willow trees must be planted or maintained about the site, provision six of the Tenancy Agreement says (perhaps apparently contradictorily) “6. The Tenant shall not without the like consent, prune, or remove or interfere with any timber or other trees…” However, our view is, that a proper interpretation of the meaning of “trees” in that context could only sensibly mean trees growing on PPA site, otherwise the tenant would be prevented from working on any trees – including his own at home. In other words, it doesn’t prevent work on trees such as the hawthorns by the Spine Road. That interpretation has been put to the Council as intended for consideration by their Legal Services, but so far they’ve remained silent on the matter. (This might be a subject, on which a legal professional could in future contact the Council.) So it’s taken to mean that trees large enough to be “timber”, that is, of landscape significance, and actually growing on PPA site shouldn’t be pruned without Council consent, but then again they’ve also stated that disallowed trees growing on plots can be removed whatever...)

Works to hawthorns beside the spine road hedge

After the arson attack on RCG, the Council’s Allotments Officer, Celia Hart, visited PPA to meet Sue, Site Rep, and to discuss what might be done to improve security. To increase lighting to the Spine Road hedge, Celia proposed the complete removal of every other hawthorn tree.

Sue considered this to be unnecessarily drastic, and perhaps not the most effective solution. So, at Committee, it was decided that to retain all the trees, but to crown lift them would be far better, and no objections were raised to this proposal. A pole pruner was bought, and four volunteers did the work, which seems to have been very effective indeed, with both the hedge and adjoining bramble thicket now growing profusely, making the whole length of that boundary section secure. The volume of nesting medium for a number of bird species has also been greatly increased. (These trees formed the historic boundary hedge for PPA, and custom-and-practice has always been that PPAA maintained both them, and the land between them and the present-day fence.)

Works done by contractors

Some of the works, e.g. at a height, or involving the removal of large trees where plot holders had requested assistance, required the expensive services of professional arborists. The works done included the coppicing of some overgrown hedging by Western Avenue, and the very modest pruning of the oaks and so on by Road Three, which nonetheless greatly improved matters for several plots there. It perhaps needs to be made clear however, that contrary to some inaccurate reports apparently circulating, no sitting tenant has had any tree removed without their agreement.

Overhanging branches from Llandaff Fields

These works were done by volunteers on the claimed legal basis explained earlier. They involved the removal of relatively few low hanging branches, but despite the limited scope of the works they made a very worthwhile improvement to the growing conditions of eleven plots. (They were overseen by a volunteer with a working life background that included safety considerations in the project management of public events.)

(It’s worth noting, that although the method used didn’t usually result in clean sawn ends, the Council’s arborists themselves deliberately simulate rough breakage of boughs in parks to avoid the stark appearance of amputated stumps.)

Allotments Officer did express some concerns however, about certain aspects of these works, mainly relating to safety, and her advice is being followed.

The trees along the WJEC boundary

At one time, there was a row of large sycamores along the End Road, but these were felled, perhaps to facilitate development of the WJEC site. The stumps were deactivated, and the remains of some of these are now covered in ivy. (One of them was kindly removed completely by a then volunteer from RCG, Frank Berry, which made access and turning for vehicles far easier.)

There are now some nearly mature, graceful silver birches along this boundary. As mentioned, our understanding is that their planting was a Planning Condition of the WJEC development, and that they were intended to form a continuous row for its full length.

However, perhaps for practical reasons, WJEC have put up their security fence on the inside of that row of trees, which seems to have led some to believe that the trees are on PPA site, but our understanding again is that this isn’t the case. Nonetheless, for their own purposes, we gather that the Riverside Community Gardens volunteers – and perhaps others – have either removed or significantly pruned some of these trees, and so the row is now only partial.

Dead or diseased trees

Unfortunately the PPA site hasn’t escaped such ravages as silver leaf and ash dieback. Where plot holders have asked for assistance, volunteers have removed members of the prunus family affected by the first, and the Council are watching some large ash trees, by plot ninety for the second. There’s also a clump of semi-mature willows, which appear to be pretty lifeless, and that’s perhaps down to the repeated but so far unsuccessful attempts by contractors to eradicate Japanese knotweed growing around them. (However, as it stands there at least isn’t any of it on the PPA side of the fence this year.) The trees have been reported to the Council as needing removal for safety reasons.

PPAA volunteers.

e-Voting emails/post will be sent to all tenants soon after the AGM. Comments will be kept open on this article until voting closes.

Personal statements:

Jane Davies, plot 88a (existing Committee member)

Personal statement

I’ve enjoyed growing my veg, and in particular watching the birds and insects that inhabit my plot with me. My reason for joining the Committee is to encourage other gardeners to enjoy their plots and also to consider the importance of protecting the wildlife around us, whose numbers are so sadly declining.

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Lewis Evans, plot 118b (existing Committee member)

Personal statement

I’m keen to see these allotments continue to be as well managed as possible, and working properly for all plot holders.

Present Works

• Forming part of Council-required Plot Inspection Team.

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Gordon Goldsmith, plot 120a (existing Committee member)

Candidate content with information below. Present works include:

• Forming part of Council-required Plot Inspection Team.
• Affixing nesting boxes about the site.

Inferred:

Aims

• To make PPA site a convivial place for all plot holders.

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Wendy Gunter, plot 113b (Existing Committee member, as PPAA Treasurer, ad hoc Acting Chair, and signatory to LMA deed)

Personal statement

General

• I’ve spent my life in or near Pontcanna (I’m now in Canton) where I have a small garden, which I’ve always tended devotedly.
• I’m retired from a demanding job, which has given me time to run an allotment.

Present works

• As Treasurer, updating income and expenditure records.
• Paying invoices, and ensuring I have an invoice/receipt for any expenditure.
• I’m a signatory on PPAA bank account.
• Liaising with Site Secretary on expected payments from plot holders as well as updates on any cash received.
• Preparing and organising the audit of annual accounts for the Council to ensure that our grant is paid.
• Additionally, dealing with contractors over major works e.g. wall rebuild, waste heap removal.
  

Aims

• As a signatory on the Local Management Agreement, to honour this agreement.
• To carry on as long as possible with the current Committee.
  

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Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, plots 33b and 44 (existing Committee member)

Personal statement

Nerys Lloyd-Pierce joined the PPAA Committee as she has an interest in protecting wildlife; encouraging the planting of wildlife friendly plants amid the veggies, and encouraging butterflies, bumblebees and birds in the process. Along with fellow Committee member, Gordon, nest boxes were put up around the allotment for robins, blue tits, and great tits before the nesting season started.  Blackbirds, wrens and song thrushes prefer bushes and scrub, where they will be nesting now.

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Martin Pasek, plot 73 (existing Committee member)

Personal statement

General

• I grew up on a family smallholding, a horticultural nursery.
• After university at UCL, I worked in a range of areas, including public facing ones.
• I’ve maintained an interest in gardening, both ornamental and culinary, throughout my life.
• I welcome the proposed new Tenancy Agreement, because it appears to me to dispel some widespread misconceptions about allotment gardening that have arisen in recent times.
• I’m a member of Open Spaces Society.
• I’m an organic and ecological moderate and pragmatist.

Present works

• Clearing of plots for letting.
• Removal of fly tipping.
• Maintenance of gate locks and site plumbing.
• Grounds maintenance of hedges, tracks, parking areas etc.
• Propagating pollinator-sustaining shrubs from cuttings, for planting about the site.
• Website admin.

Aims

• To do all that I can to prevent Pontcanna Permanent Allotments from falling into any condition, where anyone could claim that they are “failing”, and would therefore be of more benefit to the public if developed – as has happened at many sites across the country.
• To help to preserve and to impart the traditional, and self-evidently sustainable gardening methods, which have supported human life for thousands of years. 

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Sue Pasek, plot 73 (existing Committee member, Council’s Site Representative, ad hoc Acting Chair, and signatory to LMA deed)

Personal statement

General

• I was never happier as a little girl than when helping my late grandfather with his vegetable garden, especially when playing in his compost heap, and that emotional attachment to the soil has remained with me throughout my life.
• My working life was quite demanding and stressful, and made me appreciate the sort of relaxation that gardening can give.
• I’m a member of Open Spaces Society.
• I’m an organic and ecological moderate and pragmatist.

Present works

• In the absence of a substantive Site Representative, and as the Council-nominated contact for PPAA, I manage correspondence with the Council and with plot holders. I also introduce prospective tenants from the waiting list to plots, in one-to-one meetings.
• I assist with plot clearance, grounds maintenance, and act as Chair with PPAA Treasurer as agreed.
• I presently represent PPAA at Council and other meetings.

Aims

• To honour my binding undertakings, as a signatory to the Local Management Agreement deed with the Council.
• In general, to do all that I can to promote Pontcanna Permanent Allotments as a thriving, productive community of gardeners.

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Mike Powell, plot 142 (existing Committee member)

Candidate content with information below. Present works include:

• Clearing neglected plots for re-letting.
• Hedge laying work etc.
• Dealing with arborist contractors.
• Forming part of Council-required Plot Inspection Team.

Inferred:

Aims

To work with others towards ensuring the fullest and most productive occupation of the plots on PPA site that can be achieved.

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Rhys Williams, plot 137a (existing Committee member)

Candidate content with information below. Present works include:

• Hedge laying works.
• Sowing for increasing bramble thicket along spine road hedge.
• Growing subjects for the plant sale.
• Forming part of Council-required Plot Inspection Team.

Inferred:

Aims

• To make PPA site a convivial place for all plot holders.

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PPA Website Team

Update 28 07 25: the Council’s Consultation is now closed.

The above document is the Council’s draft, checked by their legal services.

PPA Website Team