Harrow in LEAF

Allotment Associations & Horticultural Groups in Harrow, Middlesex

URBAN ALLOTMENTS: A thing of the past? Historic court decision......

The SAVE FARM TERRACE ALLOTMENTS campaign have lost their 3rd Appeal.

On Wednesday 2nd November 2016 yet another local council request to build over allotments was granted. In a freedom of information request, SAVE OUR ALLOTMENTS found that between 2007 and 2014, 194 of 198 applications to close allotments were granted by the Secretary of State.

According to the Guardian newspaper website: "....Mrs Justice Lang ruled on Wednesday that Watford borough council and the secretary of state for communities and local government - who backed the local authority's plans - were entitled to concrete over them, the gardeners warned that her judgment was a "developer's charter".

==> Read the full Guardian article here.

Harrow in LEAF commiserate with our Farm Terrace Allotment colleagues, and will follow with interest the development of this "health campus" or Watford FC footballer's car park.

So, does anyone know what our Harrow Council are planning now?

Click here to read what iHarrow allege for the future of allotments in Harrow.....

With a waiting list of approx 700 applications (FOI request, 2013) can Harrow's allotments be considered "surplus land" ?

==> Read more on Government plans for surplus public land on the BBC website..........

Finally, information from Harrow Councillor Susan Hall on the rules councils must follow to build on allotment land.

FINALLY, TIME TO SAY WE SAW "SUNSHINE ON LEAF":

After a couple of years of dodgy weather on the Bank Holiday weekends, this year saw a bright and warm sunshine at the Headstone Manor Museum grounds.

Here are two sets of photos for you to enjoy, and maybe consider that next year you could exhibit something in one of our many Exhibit Classes.

Click here to view photos from our Annual Show held on Monday 29th August 2016

Prizewinner table & photos from our 12th Annual Horticultural & Craft Show

To remind you, just take a look at our photos from the Monday of our 2014 Show...... Click Here to view the rain.

Harrow in LEAF welcome the Friends of Roxbourne Park.

We are pleased to inform you that the Friends of Roxbourne Park have become our latest Associated Society Member.

The Friends are a group of people who regularly use Roxbourne Park, Cannon Lane, Harrow and wish to help Harrow Council to maintain and improve park facilities. The Friends were started on 30 September 2015.

Roxbourne Park is located between Rayners Lane and Eastcote with entrances from High Worple, Cannon Lane, Field End Road and Woodlands Avenue.
Car parking is available at the Cannon Lane entrance.

The park provides 26 hectares of open space including football and cricket facilities. The adjoining Roxbourne Rough Nature Reserve is visited by wildlife including Herons and Green Woodpeckers.

A miniature railway is located at the Field End Road side of the park, and children enjoy train rides on it on Sunday afternoons during the summer .

On Sunday 18th September, from 1pm to 6pm, Roxbourne Park will be hosting a Family Fun Day featuring a Fun Dog Show.

Click on the poster image here, to find out how to Pre-Register your dog for this show.

Click for further info...>

Headstone Village Show 2016 to feature a "Delightful Dog Show" and more........

The 12th Harrow in LEAF Horticulture and Crafts show , together with the Harrow Beekeepers, will be the main feature again at this Bank Holiday Monday event. Inside the Great Barn.

Click to visit the Headstone Village Show 2016 web page......

This year the organisers of the Headstone Village Show have announced the entrance fees as:

Adults £3.50, Children 4 - 12 £1.50, Under 4s FREE!

There is ample free parking.

Oh! and it's a £1 extra to enter your pooch in their dog show. All enquiries direct to the Headstone Manor Museum.

Note: There is one FREE entrance to the Headstone Village Show for Harrow in LEAF Exhibitors and Volunteers on the day.

Save Farm Terrace campaigners vow to fight on

Click here now to read about the next steps and to show your support for these amazing people.

Government agree to deregulate Farm Terrace Allotments, Watford, after 3rd request

It has been a few weeks since we received the Government's decision on the third application to 'deregulate' (close) Farm Terrace. People keep offering their condolences and asking is this is the end of the line? Honestly I don't know. How do we feel? We know the decision is morally wrong. We are thankful that our fantastic legal team have agreed to look through this latest document to see if it is legally wrong and we are comforted by the support of local residents and supporters far and wide.

.......click here to read more of Sara Jane Trebar's Blog.

The big Annual Plant Sale 2016 took place at Harrow in LEAF's HQ on West Harrow Allotments (large) on Saturday May 14th. Crowds of visitors came and bought plants, enjoyed cakes and a cuppa and joined or renewed their Memberships to support for Harrow in LEAF.

Harrow in LEAF's AGM & Social 2016 took place on May 11th at 7.30pm in our green HQ, West Harrow Allotments (large)

We are taking part in the "Sow Wild!" Project in 2016/17 and beyond!

The University of Sussex are studying the effects of wildflowers in allotments and urban gardens upon pollinator populations via a 'citizen science' project, and they would like to get keen gardeners involved from all over the UK.

Harrow in LEAF have registered with the project and intend to make a "test bed" at an allotment site in Harrow.

Click to view the Sow Wild! poster.

This is how the project works:

1) You register your interest by 12th Feb 2016
2) You are sent a project pack, which includes a pack of wildflowers, sampling equipment and detailed instructions.
3) You sow the 'Sow Wild!' wildflower seeds in your allotment or garden in Spring 2016.
4) You sample insects in the wildflower patch in summer, using pan traps, and send them back to us.
5) We let you know what is pollinating your garden or allotment!
6) You repeat the sampling in summer 2017."

For more information there is a Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/SowWild/ or you can e-mail your interest directly to Janine, the researcher, at j.griffiths-lee@sussex.ac.uk.

If you do decide to take part then perhaps you could let Harrow in LEAF know and together we could map & monitor how the research is going across Harrow and surrounds.

Please share this information: pass on to others who may be interested, put up a poster or include in newsletters etc. Would be good for schools and children.

Beginners' Gardening Course - FREE.
Learn how to grow your own food.

Old Kenton Lane Allotments Association are launching a Beginners' Gardening Course for young adults who would like to learn how to garden, but obviously anyone who would like to learn is welcome. Unfortunately this does not include children.

The course will run on Sunday 10th and Sunday 17th April 2016, from 10.00am to 12.30pm. Numbers are limited so book early!

The teacher will be Anita Gracie, a Master Gardener with Garden Organic a keen promoter of allotmenteering. If beginners do not have a garden then a small section of garden at the allotment site may be provided. Ideally bring gardening gloves, wellies and a trowel.

The Sunday session will include walking around the allotment site, looking at compost heaps, soil types and weeds and talking to the gardeners working on their plots.

To book your place, call Viv Williamson on 07722 581133
or e-mail: oklallotmentsassociation@hotmail.co.uk

Click to view the Old Kenton Lane Poster

Click to enlarge poster..>

Harrow in LEAF still a "growing community" in 2016.
We extend a warm welcome to Old Kenton Lane Allotments Association.

Harrow in LEAF are pleased to welcome as our new Associate Society Member, Old Kenton Lane Allotments Association.

They are located at their allotment site on Old Kenton Lane, Kingsbury, NW9 9ND which has 183 five-pole allotment plots. Old Kenton Lane is self-managed with a constituted committee responsible for the site's operational management, including grounds maintenance and waiting list administration.
The majority of plot holders are Brent residents with a few from Camden, Harrow, and Kensington and Chelsea.
The association has nearly 200 members.

E-mail Contact: oklallotmentsassociation@hotmail.co.uk

For further info on nearby allotments in Brent please read the "Food for Thought" strategy brochure.

The Duke of Northumberland, Alnwick Castle, wants allotment land back from the "serfs" in Isleworth according to ITV London News item, 13/1/2016

Not just any Christmas Card recycling scheme, this is Marks & Sparks recycling!

This year the Woodland Trust and Marks & Spencer have teamed up to recycle your unwanted Christmas Cards.

The Woodland Trust is a charity who ensures that our green spaces, ancient woodlands and trees are protected.

For every 1000 Christmas cards recycled at an M & S branch during January 2016, Marks & Spencer will plant a new native tree in the UK.

We think it is a great way to recycle your cards, and thank you to our members who informed us of this excellent initiative............read more >

LEAF tip: If you cannot get to an M&S branch then another way to recycle is to cut your old Christmas Cards into smaller labels to attach to next year's presents for friends and family. Crinkly scissors work a treat.

How do you keep active when allotment and garden work is done for Winter?

Harrow in LEAF have been contacted regarding new activities that may be of interest to our members. Location: Cedars Community Centre, Chicheley Road, Harrow Weald, HA3 6QH

Walking Football comes to Harrow

Every Friday from 12 to 1pm

£2 per session

NO RUNNING, NO AGE LIMIT

Walking Football, a slow-paced version of the beautiful game aimed at the over 55s, has arrived in Middlesex with venues popping up all over the County.
Just turn up on Fridays with a pair of trainers!

Over 50's Activities sessions

Every Tuesday from 11am to 12.30pm

Free social activities for people aged 50 years plus. Activities available include carpet bowls, table tennis, badminton and board games. The cafe is open for food and drinks. This session caters for both people who want to simply chat and have a coffee and for those who want to take part in more physical activities.

Click here to contact Cedars for further info.

......Info on all events and venues

What to do on your allotment or in your garden by month.

Your ideas on what to do with all that allotment or garden food produce!

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Harrow in LEAF's "Guide for New Allotment Holders" is now available on-line

Yes, our excellent Guide is now available via the "Allotment Guidelines" button on the top Menu above - or just click on this front page image.

Published: 11th Nov 2011