Allotment Tips

Gardeners and farmers are never satisfied with the weather. Despite some long dry spells early in the season and then a wet period, it has been a good productive season for most of us at the allotments. The weeds seem to have been harder to control than ever but amongst them all everything from potatoes to cabbages and courgettes have cropped well. With all but the winter vegetables left to harvest plot holders can begin to turn their minds to next season. The manure has arrived and digging can begin.

Tips for the winter months:

• Begin to lift leeks as required and store carrots in peat or sand.
• Remove weeds such as the deadly nightshade before they drop their seeds but others such as chickweed can be dug in deeply.
• Broad beans can be sown in late autumn for an early crop, but might need some protection, otherwise sow again in February.
  
• Plant shallots on the shortest day and then harvest them on the longest day.
  
• Prune autumn raspberries and reduce the dead wood in black currant bushes by about a third.
  
• Plan for next year, using a three year rotation if possible. Peruse the catalogues and order seeds and potatoes.

A good internet link for further advice can be found at http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden_month/garden_october.php

Allotment Holders Site Committee

Bergholt Heath YFC Results 24th October and Fixtures

The under 8s had another disappointing day away to Halstead, and didn't score any goals for the second match running.

The under 12s drew 1-1 at home to Bures. In what was a typical "game of 2 halves", in the first half Bures took the lead with a long range shot that dropped into the roof of the net - whilst many of the Bergholt boys looked like they were still to wake up. In the second half Bergholt played much better and carried the game to Bures, equalising through Gianni Sabini. Unfortunately despite pressing they could not force the winner. The Bergholt Heath 'man of the match' was Gianni Sabini.

Our under 13 side also played at home, losing to Colchester Athletic 5-2. Cameron Siedlecky and Callum Sells scoring the two Bergholt Heath goals.

The under 15s game was postponed a while ago due to injuries and known absences with half term holidays.

Our under 16 team completed the 3 home games on the Poors field but also lost, 2-1, at home to Feering Falcons. Jack Gatland scoring the Bergholt Heath goal.

Finally our under 18 side, looking stronger with some recent signings, won away 5-2 at Clacton Community. Dean Bennell scored a hat-trick with Leo Reid and Jacob Hill adding the others.

Next weeks fixtures:

Clare Town Lions Vs Under 8s
Cornard Dynamos Blues Vs Under 12s
Stanway Villa Vs Under 13s
The under 15 match is postponed
AFC Sudbury Vs Under 16s
Under 18s Vs Feering Falcon Reds

Spooky Players

... The Orpen Players next performances are targeted squarely at the Halloween season with a production of "The Ghost Train" by Arnold Ridley (of Dad's Army fame) running at 8pm on 28th - 30th October.

The plot revolves around a party of passengers who find themselves stranded in the waiting room of an isolated station. The station master tries to get them to leave citing the local legend of a ghost train that dooms all who see it to death.

Cast details etc... at http://www.orpenplayers.co.uk/

Bangers at Heathlands

... with a BBQ and Firework Display. Heathlands Primary School PTA is holding its 18th fireworks on Saturday November 6th in the school grounds.

Tickets/programmes are now available from local shops priced £3 pre-purchased or will cost £4 on the night. Children under 3 free. Ticket reservation 01206 240288.

Gates open 5.30pm, fireworks 7pm. Barbecue and hot drinks available.

Flower Club Update

Vice-chairman, Pat Sharman welcomed members and visitors. There are still two diaries for sale at £4.60 each. As the planned demonstrator was unavailable Jan and Ken Law from Chigwell stepped in with their title My Fair Lady and Gent. Both demonstrated and the appropriate music from the show accompanied the arrangements.

Wednesday 17 November is an open meeting and tickets are for sale £5 members, £7 non-members. Contact Jayne on 01376 564135 to reserve. Lee Berrill from Earls Barton in Northamptonshire will base the demonstration on Winter Wonderland. Light refreshments and mulled wine will be served. There is no meeting in December.

Join a fungus foray

... through Hillhouse Wood on Thursday 4th November.

Meeting at the Old Church at 10am Ian Rose will be leading the ever popular fungus foray, seeing some of the 60-70 species in the wood. You will need to be dressed appropriately for walking in the wood — sturdy shoes are a must as the paths can be wet!

Organised by The Friends of Hillhouse Wood in conjunction with the Woodland Trust this event will run 'weather permitting'.

Is ‘Jenny Wren’ visiting your garden?

... was one of the questions members were asked at the October meeting of the West Bergholt Gardeners’ Association. Mike Logan-Wood, RSPB Lead for Chelmsford and Central Essex told his audience that UK’s shortest bird’s scientific name means ‘cave dweller’. Although difficult to attract to bird tables, the wren can be seen in the garden foraging in or close to cover. They are more insectivorous than most other garden birds.

The speaker entertained members with his amusing and informative account, illustrated with slides, on the ‘secret lives of garden birds’ including the robin, sparrow, starling, blackbird, song thrush and dunnock.

A day outing to East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden, Norfolk has been planned for 15 June 2011, stopping off on route at Taverham Garden Centre. Cost £18.50 for coach and entry. Members and non-members were urged to book early so as not to be disappointed. Further information obtainable from the Treasurer at terryclaydon@aol.com

Ian Rose will be addressing members at the next meeting on 15 November at 7.30pm in the Orpen Hall. He will present on ‘Fungi – edible and otherwise’, Visitors are also very welcome to attend; entry £3.

A ‘fungi forage’ in Hillhouse Wood led by Ian Rose, will take place on 4 November. This is organised by the Friends of Hillhouse Wood. For further information daviddb@virgin.net or 01206 241684.

Joining our organisation is easy and inexpensive. Membership subscription is value for money at only £8 per year. The Chair, Valerie Lofthouse, can be reached on 01206 855450 or valerielofthouse1@hotmail.co.uk for details on the Gardeners’ Association.