2022 Annual Report
Just as in 2020, our Annual General Meeting cannot be held as we would normally do. As a compromise, here is the annual report usually presented at the meeting in May.
Welcome to the live, in person, non virtual 2022 AGM of the Inverleith Allotments Association
I always start with a summary of numbers of plotholders and turn over here at Inverleith. I’ve not been able to get the figures but how about a summary of what is happening city-wide?
There are 5496 people on the waiting lists. Currently Edinburgh has a stock of 1659 plots. CEA says a waiting list should only be as long as half the available plots.
To satisfy the CEA we need 3,111 new plots, that would take about 1/3 million square metres, or 77 acres. Inverleith Park is 54 acres.
The waiting times of people being allocated plots now seems to be around the 10-14 year mark. In 2022 61 new plotholders have been allocated plots thus far, estimated to be around 80-90 by the end of this year. The current waiting time, based on turnover, is therefore about 61 years.
I’d like to welcome all new plotholders who have waited those 14 years and hope you enjoy the experience. I also thank you for the time and effort everyone on the site committee gave during the year.
It is wonderful to be able to get back to ‘normality’ post Covid. The pandemic really did underline the value of allotments and how lucky we are to have them as our sanctuary.
FEDAGA Report
I chair the monthly Management Meeting which provide a forum for individual sites to discuss the current situation on sites in the city. We continue to hold meetings over ‘Zoom’ although the last one, which I will miss, will be held in the BB headquarters in Lethem Park.
Site representatives discuss such diverse subjects as water on sites, waste bins, trading seeds, potatoes and onions and creating the Newsletter. They also negotiate what the limited funds available for maintenance on allotments in the city will be spent on.
I trust you all order your potatoes, onions, leeks and garlic from FEDAGA. The leeks should be available next weekend. Stewart Henderson will distribute them; more can be purchased from the FEDAGA shop. Look out for announcements in the FEDAGA newsletter.
We would like the Allotment Show to return this year. We hope to be able to join forces with Edible Edinburgh who are responsible for Edinburgh’s Food strategy in a joint event. Negotiations continue, watch out for announcements in the newsletter.
I hope you all enjoy the FEDAGA newsletter which is now sent to all paid-up members. This should help keep members informed with what’s going on in the city. Please join when you get your rental bill in February. Membership costs £2.50 and £1 of that is passed back to our site.
I also attend the Allotment Strategy Committee with the Council. Meetings are rare these days but I hope will be resumed soon.
I’ve been recently involved with Scottish Government in an enquiry into the Community Empowerment Act. I was called as a witness to appear in front of seven MSPs in a televised committee room. Let’s hope it helps shorten that waiting list.
I continue as the FEDAGA president and remain focussed on helping our members; the current plotholders. This could be from cheap seeds, advice on having a plot, help with problems, visits and keeping the show as an annual celebration and get-together.
I always start with a summary of numbers of plotholders and turn over here at Inverleith. I’ve not been able to get the figures but how about a summary of what is happening city-wide?
There are 5496 people on the waiting lists. Currently Edinburgh has a stock of 1659 plots. CEA says a waiting list should only be as long as half the available plots.
To satisfy the CEA we need 3,111 new plots, that would take about 1/3 million square metres, or 77 acres. Inverleith Park is 54 acres.
The waiting times of people being allocated plots now seems to be around the 10-14 year mark. In 2022 61 new plotholders have been allocated plots thus far, estimated to be around 80-90 by the end of this year. The current waiting time, based on turnover, is therefore about 61 years.
I’d like to welcome all new plotholders who have waited those 14 years and hope you enjoy the experience. I also thank you for the time and effort everyone on the site committee gave during the year.
It is wonderful to be able to get back to ‘normality’ post Covid. The pandemic really did underline the value of allotments and how lucky we are to have them as our sanctuary.
- We did manage an allotment show back in September, well done to Pam and Jerry for winning the Drew Wilson cup.
- We didn’t hold a Tattie Boiling last year but could this time. How about June 26th? After we put the chipper away?
- Thanks to Pete, Felix and Oscar Urwin, the annual apple pressing did happen and I’m delighted that Pete has brought a few bottles for us to try. It’s apparently the best yet. It is certainly an event worth repeating again. We’ll sort out a date later in the year.
- Chipper Sundays have been arranged when we’ve been able to dodge the rain and will continue until winter. Our Communal Compost bins are well used and the emptying also happens quite well. But please follow the rules so we get best use from them, clearly posted on the side of the bins.
- Two more DIY water extensions await being connected up in the SE corner of the site. Ian tells me Lee should be on the case very soon.
- Most of the drop offs have been protected with handrails down in the SE of the site. I hope they stop people falling into the plot below. We think there may be one or two more to install. Thanks Sandy for your Health and Safety checks.
- Is this tempting fate but…Hurrah, the rabbits haven’t returned. Isn’t it good to see less chicken wire around the place? Sadly, still needed for the wood pigeons but certainly progress.
- Bulk purchases of compost proved popular again, thanks Clare and helpers.
- Our orders with Kings Seeds and for FEDAGA potatoes, onions and leeks was again greater than in the past. We’d expect a healthy commission back soon.
FEDAGA Report
I chair the monthly Management Meeting which provide a forum for individual sites to discuss the current situation on sites in the city. We continue to hold meetings over ‘Zoom’ although the last one, which I will miss, will be held in the BB headquarters in Lethem Park.
Site representatives discuss such diverse subjects as water on sites, waste bins, trading seeds, potatoes and onions and creating the Newsletter. They also negotiate what the limited funds available for maintenance on allotments in the city will be spent on.
I trust you all order your potatoes, onions, leeks and garlic from FEDAGA. The leeks should be available next weekend. Stewart Henderson will distribute them; more can be purchased from the FEDAGA shop. Look out for announcements in the FEDAGA newsletter.
We would like the Allotment Show to return this year. We hope to be able to join forces with Edible Edinburgh who are responsible for Edinburgh’s Food strategy in a joint event. Negotiations continue, watch out for announcements in the newsletter.
I hope you all enjoy the FEDAGA newsletter which is now sent to all paid-up members. This should help keep members informed with what’s going on in the city. Please join when you get your rental bill in February. Membership costs £2.50 and £1 of that is passed back to our site.
I also attend the Allotment Strategy Committee with the Council. Meetings are rare these days but I hope will be resumed soon.
I’ve been recently involved with Scottish Government in an enquiry into the Community Empowerment Act. I was called as a witness to appear in front of seven MSPs in a televised committee room. Let’s hope it helps shorten that waiting list.
I continue as the FEDAGA president and remain focussed on helping our members; the current plotholders. This could be from cheap seeds, advice on having a plot, help with problems, visits and keeping the show as an annual celebration and get-together.
Stuart McKenzie