This idea came as a result of a visit to an extraordinary village in France during 2023. Have a look at the link (in French, but you can either practise your language skills or mute it!). https://www.ouest-france.fr/centre-val-de-loire/video-chedigny-le-village-jardin-bbc3664c-e88c-4952-a021-e76a1cfe5bf7 There are also some pictures here which will give you a sense of what has been created. Having […]
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OAKHAM SMALLHOLDERS’ ASSOCIATION HELD ON TUESDAY 7th MARCH 2023 AT THE WHEATSHEAF PUBLIC HOUSE, OAKHAM Present Simon Barefoot John Nunn Carol Arnold Phil Hitchcock Ralph Avery Linda Chamberlain Richard Davis Stuart Farrar Geraldine Feehally Jess Grammer Liz Harris Esther Hooley Debbie Massey Rosalyn Mayho Graeme Bone Jason […]
We held our annual BBQ on Sunday, 28th. August and combined it with an invitation to craft a scarecrow. The results showed lots of imagination and plenty of humour and a deserved winner of ‘Best in Class’.
We aim to use our well water (so carefully stored over the first part of the year) to the maximum, but it should be seen as a fall-back because the stated goal for individual members is unchanged: over the winter months collect all the water you are personally likely to need in one season in […]
Two articles for you to peruse: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/08/its-official-allotments-are-good-for-you-and-for-your-mental-health https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/15/city-allotments-could-be-as-productive-as-conventional-farms-research-finds Round up of news With all the wet weather during December and the start of January every IBC and storage facility is full. More blue butts are available – Phil has put two on display by the windsock area. Manure deliveries were been completed ahead of time […]
This year marks a couple of milestones in the recent history of our Association, because John Nunn, the Treasurer, will have completed 30 years of membership and I reach the total of 20. We are also in the process of expanding our site for the first time (by leasing a triangle of land beyond our […]
Where there’s a well there’s a way An initiative to reduce potable (tap) water use What did the project involve? Oakham Smallholders Association (the Association) are a small group of like-minded individuals who enjoy growing their own flowers, fruit and vegetables, whilst caring for their environment. Although not totally organic, the Association looks to keep […]
On the allotment we are fortunate to have several sources of water. Most of us have our sheds plumbed to water cubes to collect free rainwater throughout the year. We also have Phil’s ‘well to cube’ (W2C) system and as a final source the central standpipe water system. The standpipe water is treated to be […]
Well Project 2020After last year’s success extracting well water I am increasing the number of taps available for general use. There will very shortly be 5 taps installed, two behind my shed, one at each end of the central track and one at the well head.Last year we managed without using any paid-for mains water […]