Year 6 children outside the greenhouse - Owen, Asad, Abdirahman, Kira, Hidayah, Mansoor, Manisha, Rimal, Alastair, Oscar, Toni-Ann, Brody, Liam and Joshu’waa.

The 'Green' Greenhouse continued The children of a local school have built this amazing plastic bottle greenhouse on their allotment site, and Friday 26th June saw the grand opening party, complete with strawberry tea... The driving forces behind the project have been classroom assistant Mrs Fink and parent and Chair of Governors Ms Rundle, and the greenhouse was based on an article seen in a magazine. It took the children of Vaughan School six months to collect the 1500 plastic bottles needed to build the walls. The bottles were washed and the labels removed.

The corner posts of the 8’ x 6’ greenhouse were concreted in and frames for the sides, gables and roof were built by parents and teachers. On April 1st all the bottles had their bottoms carefully cut out. May 29th was the day that seven children from year 7, and four year 10 children from Whitmore School put the structure together, with the help of some parents. With the frames on the ground, the bottles were linked together on canes and stapled to the frames. The frames were then attached to the corner posts, and the structure completed with the gable and roof frames.

Liam, Shakti, Connor and Joshu’waa – four of the team who constructed the greenhouse.

The greenhouse provides valuable protection for tender crops and for raising plants from seed, and at the moment this cosy environment is being used to grow tomatoes, peppers and herbs. Crops inside the greenhouse.

Children from year 7 come over to the allotment in their breaks to water the plants, and groups of children from all
years in the school, from the nursery class to year 7 come to work and learn on the site.

The party to celebrate the completion of the greenhouse on Friday saw a gathering of children from year 6, parents
and teachers from Vaughan and Whitmore Schools, and a photographer from the local press, who were all given a
warm welcome with cups of tea, and strawberries and cream. The children gave guided tours of their allotment, and
most of the adults left the party knowing a lot more about growing veg than they did when they arrived!

I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the building of this magnificent structure, an eco-friendly and low cost
greenhouse, a marvellous way to recycle plastic bottles, and a credit to all the children and adults involved in the project.

If you’d like to build your own recycled greenhouse, try the following link
www.reapscotland.org.uk/reports/greenhouse v1.pdf I hope yours turns out as well as the one built by these dedicated
and enthusiastic children.

The Mayor, Cllr. Eric Silver, with the Event Coordinator Georgia Weston, and Show Manager Derek Osborne.

More exhibitors than ever showed the products of their year’s work and the standard of exhibits in both the horticultural
and the bee-keeping marquees was truly impressive, reflecting the increasing interest in vegetable growing in the borough.
The crafts, photographic, painting, children’s and other classes also produced some wonderful entries.

Click here for a list and pictures of the cup- and prize-winners

The event was honoured on the Monday by a visit from the Mayor of Harrow Cllr. Eric Silver, who presented prizes at the end of the Show, and the Mayoress. They toured the show, chatted to stall holders and visitors, and even tried their luck – the Mayor at archery, and the Mayoress was fortunate enough to win a prize at the tombola on the Harrow in LEAF stall. The Mayor’s charity this year is the Easy Riders Wheelchair Project

Inside the Horticultural Marquee

The Mayor tries his hand at archery

At the Harrow in LEAF stall, as well as the tombola, there were plants for sale, and there was plenty of free advice about allotmenting and all things horticultural, with leaflets available about everything from the availability of allotments and clearing your plot, to encouraging wildlife and local and national organizations who offer advice and guidance. Several new members were signed up over the weekend.     The Harrow in LEAF Stall The crowd was entertained by a band and a local singer/songwriter and on Sunday by a troupe of Morris Dancers. The entertainment proved really popular and added to the atmosphere of the day.

A tremendous selection of attractions kept the children busy – the bouncy castle proved a winner, and lots of youngsters enjoyed themselves on the roundabout. The queue at the candyfloss stall proved that this is still a perennial favourite, and the roaming lion had lots of admirers! But even he was rivalled by the children roaming the grounds with their faces painted as cats, butterflies and other wildlife.

In the beekeepers marquee, the judges remarked that this was the best small honey show, in terms of quality, that they had judged – praise indeed, and looking at the exhibits you could see why. Left, is the exhibit by Sarah Foster which won the Blue Ribbon for her Products from the Hive, and, right, are the entries for the sculpted beeswax section- hard to believe they are made of beeswax.                                                                Click here for a link to the Harrow beekeepers website for more photos of their exhibits and prizewinners

Lovely weather, particularly on Monday enabled people to wander at their leisure, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying a cup of tea and refreshments, outside or inside the Barn; tours of the Manor House, conducted by staff of the Heritage Centre, added to the interest, and there was a wonderful diversity of craft stalls, including jewellery, card making, and herbal products, as well as charity stalls, raising awareness of people’s needs within the borough. More people than ever came through the gates and enjoyed themselves over the Bank Holiday Weekend, and we would like to thank you all, you all contributed to this happy and successful event.

Allotment Strategy – Round Table Workshop 2009 Let me start by saying that there was an excellent turnout at this meeting. The Member's Lounge at Harrow Civic Centre was packed full of allotment holders from across the borough. Dave Corby the Public Realm Service Manager began the meeting by briefly describing the advantages and benefits of owning an allotment and how important allotments were to people’s general well being. He then introduced Councillor Susan Hall who is the portfolio holder for Environment and Community Safety.

Councillor Hall stated that she had provisionally obtained; "in excess of fifty thousand pounds", for capital
expenditure for this financial year to be spent on allotments. The Councillor further explained that the aims of the
meeting were to find out what problems the allotments have and to determine the most important problems; "to
decide where to spend the money". She also stated that a further aim was to obtain; "a consensus view on
allotment strategy".

The people present were then divided into groups, each group representing several allotment sites. The groups
listed the problems with the existing Council allotment service and then decided which of these were the most
important.

The most important issues raised were:

1 – The lack of a specific annual ring fenced budget set at an adequate level for spending on
allotments – (without regular protected funding it will not be possible to implement any improvement
in the allotment service provided by Harrow Council).

2 - Poor maintenance of allotment sites – (this includes improving security by repairing gates and
fencing and providing access by cutting down trees, bushes, wild brambles etc).

3 - Poor administration and communication – (the current situation consists of late and inaccurate
billing, incorrect data regarding the letting of plots and difficulty knowing who to speak to).

4 - A total lack of management of allotment sites – (if each allotment site was inspected at least twice
a year by a Council employee they would be able to monitor the state of fencing, gates, invasive trees etc
and see which plots were not being worked by tenants).

Despite Councillor Hall stating that one of the aims of the meeting was to obtain; "a consensus view on allotment
strategy", most of the issues raised had nothing to do with strategy, but more to do with day to day issues
associated with running an allotment service at the standard that the people of Harrow have a right to expect.

What next?

CouCouncillor Hall explained that a smaller working group consisting mainly of site representatives would work with
Council staff to formulate the ‘strategy’ document.

As a long standing recognised group working with allotment holders and a variety of allotment associations it is
expected that Harrow in LEAF will be invited to attend any further discussions regarding the councils Allotment
Strategy. We will endeavour to keep our website regularly posted with any updates.

Campaign to find Vacant Plots continued It is unfortunate that due to immense under funding, the department that deals with allotments is unable to do annual inspections of Allotment Sites to check that all plots are being cultivated in accordance with the tenancy agreements. This means that there may be sites which have a number of plots which are either being un-worked or even with rent not being paid. It is possible (and indeed should be a duty) for the council to follow up any such situations and terminate any tenancy which is found to be breech of agreement, thus making them available for the large number of people who seem to be having difficulty finding a vacancy close to home.

It is often the case that people move away and forget to inform the Council or become to busy or too frail to continue
working a plot and just stop paying the rent. For some reason this is not then being picked up by the Council and we
are left with this situation where, despite plots being available, prospective tenants are being told that a site if full and
that they can be put on a waiting list.

How you can help. If you are thinking of giving up your plot, ring the allotment office and let them know that you will
be terminating your agreement so as they can keep their records up to date and offer your plot to those on the waiting
list.

Or, if you are on a site and you believe a plot is no longer being worked then e-mail the council at
publicrealm@harrow.gov.uk and send a copy of your e-mail to us at info@harrowinleaf.org.uk (we keep records too)
or talk to them by phoning 0845 225 2600 or 020 8424 1756 and giving them the site name and plot (or half plot)
number.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a plot, it is well worth going to the site and having a look around. If you find a plot
that looks like it has not been cultivated for some time then let the council know so as they can follow it up for you and
make it available – it’s better than being on a waiting list.

There are many available plots through out Harrow, the Council’s own recent figures suggest 23% of plots are not being
used. We believe that you should be able to find one close to home. If the demand out strips availability then Harrow
Council should be looking at making new land available for Allotments – we hope to encourage them to do this when
the time comes.

Earth Project continued

The Centre aims to teach disadvantaged and disabled children and adults about growing food and protecting
the environment.

Funding is obtained from the Learning Skills Council and from participating groups.

The one full time and two part time members of staff work with clients of groups such as local schools, MIND,
and the Primary Care Trust.

In its first two years, allotment plots and raised beds on site have been developed, an orchard has been planted,
an area for hens and rabbits completed, and a model garden planted. The polytunnel is used for raising plants by
sowing seeds and taking cuttings, teaching, and to carry out experiments with different growing media. A wildlife
area has been developed, and projects such as the building of a traditional pizza oven, and an insect house have
been completed by participating groups and staff.

Teaching is done in the purpose-built building and in the polytunnel, and students can gain qualifications such as BTec in Land and Environment, enabling them to go on to work in land-based industries. Uptake for the courses is increasing and the staff are expecting a busy year ahead. The adjoining land is being developed as an ecology park. It contains areas such as wet and dry meadows, woodland and a large pond. The pond has had decking installed for pond dipping and a bicycle track has been completed. It is hoped to develop the area further with nature trails and information leaflets.

Luxury Homes To Let continued This high-rise des-res for insects and small mammals has been built by members of the Barn Hill Conservation Group in their garden at Kingsbury. It is built of pallets and contains a variety of habitats to suit a wide range of species. Damp cracks at the base provide shelter for toads and newts, straw between the layers gives nesting places for insects and field mice. Larger spaces between stones and roof tiles suit spiders and larger insects, or even hibernating reptiles. Pipes filled with bamboo canes provide overwintering shelter for ladybirds, and solitary bees may use them during the summer.

New Plots at Kenton Rec

In response to the pressure for new allotment plots in the borough, the council has recently extended the site at Kenton Recreation Ground.

Many years ago the plots there stretched way across the park, indeed the old maps show numbering up to 91.
In more recent times the number had shrunk, until there were only 9 x 5 pole plots remaining, with the rest being taken back into the park.

Now, however, a further 15 x 5 pole plots have been added.
The Council weed-killed and rotovated the ground, and extended the fencing to enclose the whole site, with an extra gate added into the far end of the site.
      
With the help of members of the Larches Trust, who have taken a plot there, the ground was marked out, and with woodchip supplied by the council, paths between the plots were laid. Extra standpipes and water tanks are due to be installed, and all the new plots have been leased out.

The whole site now looks immaculate, and with the waiting lists in the borough      
now standing at over 600, this will give 15 new people a chance to ‘grow their own’.

Museum Gardening Club continued

This dedicated band of volunteers, led by Barbara Ferguson, spend the mornings on the first and third Tuesday of the month working to maintain and improve the area surrounding these historic buildings, and certainly succeed in providing a colourful and welcoming setting for a visit there.

The donation has enabled the club to lay a stepping stone path and to plant up a delightfull flower bed at a corner of the barn.

The museum provides the perfect backdrop to the annual horticultural show held there by Harrow in LEAF every August Bank Holiday weekend. The two-day show also features live entertainment, bee-keeping displays and show, craft and charity stalls, and fun activities and rides for the children.

The gardeners would like to recruit more members to their club to help them keep up their high standards, so if you can spare some time, why not go along to the garden on a Tuesday morning, contact Barbara on 020 8933 6668, or the Museum, on 020 8861 2626.
You’d be very welcome; you don’t have to be an expert gardener, and coffee and cakes are supplied!

Kenton Lane Allotments Target for Police Murder Investigation

Plot holders watched aghast as police cordoned off a plot on the otherwise ‘model’ allotment site in Kenton Road, and began to clear the site for further investigation.

In 2001 an investigation started into the disappearance of a Mr. Banfield of Locket Road in Harrow.  Nearly 10 years on we can only wonder what has come to light that has brought their investigation team to this well-kept and well-attended allotment site.

Harrow in LEAF became aware of the police attending Kenton Lane Allotments on the morning of  Wednesday the 7th of July and sent their own team of investigators down to find out what was occurring.

“On entering the site we found a large transit van with a telescopic camera on it. They were trying to take an over head photograph to see if the ground below had been disturbed”,  but one allotment holder on the site said the ground was far too bumpy to get a useful image and they then started  to clear the site to investigate further.

An appeal for information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Banfield was made by police in September 2009, this was followed more recently by the missing gentleman’s wife and daughter being arrested in Canterbury and questioned on suspicion of Mr Banfield's murder and on fraud charges.

It is believed that the allotment plot, within the Kenton Road Site, was previously rented out to Mr. Banfield’s father-in-law, who we think may have passed away that same year. Last year, the family home in Locket Road was investigated, resulting in the excavation of the rear garden.

“Now it would appear that the investigations have moved on to this beautiful allotment site, and from what we can gather they will be excavating this site to see if they might discover the remains of the missing man” one of our investigators said.

A call to Harrow Council’s allotment officer produced no leads for Harrow in LEAF as Mr. Slavin stated he has been instructed not to give out any information with regards to the Kenton Lane site.

The police descended on the site during the morning and cleared it all. “The weeds were very high as the most recent tenant has been unwell” said Pam from plot 8. “There was an old shanty shack – you couldn’t really call it a shed”, which has been on that plot for many years now,  “but when I came here today it was gone”. Pam remembers the tenant from 2001 very well, but there have been other tenants on the site from that time till now.

All the excitement and intrigue is likely to continue, as it is expected that Police will excavate the plot tomorrow [Thursday 8th].

Update - Despite almost a week of digging, nothing was found on the plot, and police have now abandoned the search