NEWS
GAS accounts available for year 2023 - 2024
This document is available to download from the documents page of the web site alongside the 2024 AGM agenda and the 2023 AGM minutes.
(added to web site 03/07/2024)
This document is available to download from the documents page of the web site alongside the 2024 AGM agenda and the 2023 AGM minutes.
(added to web site 03/07/2024)
AGM Agenda : 7pm, 9th July 2024, St Catherines's Village Hall
A document is available to download from the documents page of the web site along with minutes from previous AGM.
(added to web site 30/06/2024)
A document is available to download from the documents page of the web site along with minutes from previous AGM.
(added to web site 30/06/2024)
Various role descriptions (committee, warden etc.)
New documets detailing wardens and various committee roles are available to download from the documents page of the web site.
(added to web site 27/06/2024)
New documets detailing wardens and various committee roles are available to download from the documents page of the web site.
(added to web site 27/06/2024)
GACSL Spring 2024 Newsletter now available
A document (2024 06 09 Newsletter.pdf) is available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (2024 06 09 Newsletter.pdf) is available to download from the documents page of the web site.
Inspection process and criteria document (April 2024)
The inspection process and criteria document is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
The inspection process and criteria document is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
Updated versions of tenancy agreement documents (April 2024)
Updated versions of the tenancy agreement documents are now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
Updated versions of the tenancy agreement documents are now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
Newsletter Summer 2023
The latest newsletter is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
The latest newsletter is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
AGM Meeting / AGENDA Notice : 7pm, 12th July 2023, St Catherines's Village Hall
A document (2023 06 22 AGM Agenda 12Jul 2023.pdf) providing the agenda and meeting details for the AGM is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (2023 06 22 AGM Agenda 12Jul 2023.pdf) providing the agenda and meeting details for the AGM is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
AGM Meeting / AGENDA Notice : 7pm, 13th July 2022 at The Hive, GU2 8EN
A document (AGM Final Agenda 13th July 2022.pdf) providing the agenda and meeting details for the AGM is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (AGM Final Agenda 13th July 2022.pdf) providing the agenda and meeting details for the AGM is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
2022 June - GDPR Privacy Statement
A document (gdpr_privacy_statement_may_2022.pdf) providing GDPR information is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (gdpr_privacy_statement_may_2022.pdf) providing GDPR information is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
GACSL AGM Meeting Minutes : (meeting held on 15th September 2021)
A document (2021 09 15 GASCL AGM mtg Minutes.pdf) providing the minutes from the AGM, held last September, is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (2021 09 15 GASCL AGM mtg Minutes.pdf) providing the minutes from the AGM, held last September, is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
2021 September - Tenancy Agreement Consultation Record
A document (summary_of_consultation_comments_v0.5.pdf) providing information relating to the tenancy agreement consultation is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (summary_of_consultation_comments_v0.5.pdf) providing information relating to the tenancy agreement consultation is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
2020 December – Covid-19 Emergency Measures
A document (covid-19_restrictions_dec_2020-1.pdf) providing information relating to Covid-19 is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
A document (covid-19_restrictions_dec_2020-1.pdf) providing information relating to Covid-19 is now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
2020 December – Newsletters now available on-line
The newsletters from 2019 and 2020 are now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
The newsletters from 2019 and 2020 are now available to download from the documents page of the web site.
2020/2021 Invoices – Update
We know that many of you have been concerned because you haven’t received your invoices which are usually sent out in late August/early September. Don’t worry they will soon be on their way.
Following the Secretary of State's decision not to allow the Bellfields allotment sites to be used for building a situation was created whereby it has not been possible for GAS to issue invoices for 2020/2021. GAS apologise for the delay in these being sent out. The situation is not of its making! Meetings have been held with the Council to discuss the matter and an answer is expected soon. GAS hope to be able to send the invoices out by the end of September or failing that early October.
Please watch out for yours arriving through your letterbox. Prompt payment will be very much appreciated.
We know that many of you have been concerned because you haven’t received your invoices which are usually sent out in late August/early September. Don’t worry they will soon be on their way.
Following the Secretary of State's decision not to allow the Bellfields allotment sites to be used for building a situation was created whereby it has not been possible for GAS to issue invoices for 2020/2021. GAS apologise for the delay in these being sent out. The situation is not of its making! Meetings have been held with the Council to discuss the matter and an answer is expected soon. GAS hope to be able to send the invoices out by the end of September or failing that early October.
Please watch out for yours arriving through your letterbox. Prompt payment will be very much appreciated.
Bellfields : Old farm and lagoon allotments Update : August 25th 2020
We are delighted to report that we at last have the Secretary of State’s response to Guildford Borough Council’s application to dispose of the Bellfields Allotment Sites. In pursuance of his powers under section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925, the Secretary of State refuses to grant consent for disposal of 3.5 hectares of allotment land at Bellfield Allotments, Guildford. Quoting from the letter received by GAS Chairman the principal point of concern is stated as
"The Secretary of State considers that the statutory criteria is not satisfied. Guildford Allotment Society (GAS), who manage the site, a third party and National Allotment Society (NAS) object to the disposal as it currently stands, raising concerns on the adequacy of the alternative provision. They are concerned that the alternatives are not entirely suitable in terms of access, safety of users, and the condition of the alternative provision. Therefore, the Secretary of State cannot be satisfied that adequate provision is in place for existing plot holders.”
This is not necessarily the end of the road. We do not yet know how GBC are going to respond. There is an appeal procedure which they may take up. GAS Committee are meeting to consider the implications of this letter and will hope to meet with GBC in the first week of September to find the way forward.
Also see earlier news item from July 2020
We are delighted to report that we at last have the Secretary of State’s response to Guildford Borough Council’s application to dispose of the Bellfields Allotment Sites. In pursuance of his powers under section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925, the Secretary of State refuses to grant consent for disposal of 3.5 hectares of allotment land at Bellfield Allotments, Guildford. Quoting from the letter received by GAS Chairman the principal point of concern is stated as
"The Secretary of State considers that the statutory criteria is not satisfied. Guildford Allotment Society (GAS), who manage the site, a third party and National Allotment Society (NAS) object to the disposal as it currently stands, raising concerns on the adequacy of the alternative provision. They are concerned that the alternatives are not entirely suitable in terms of access, safety of users, and the condition of the alternative provision. Therefore, the Secretary of State cannot be satisfied that adequate provision is in place for existing plot holders.”
This is not necessarily the end of the road. We do not yet know how GBC are going to respond. There is an appeal procedure which they may take up. GAS Committee are meeting to consider the implications of this letter and will hope to meet with GBC in the first week of September to find the way forward.
Also see earlier news item from July 2020
National Allotments Week : August 2020
National Allotments Week – 10 –16 August, with the theme Growing Food for Health and Wellbeing.
For more information nationally see the national Allotment Society website
https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news-events-campaigns/national-allotments-week/
Unfortunately the GAS Committee have been unable to organise anything this year due to Covid19, but would welcome suggestions for 2021. Ideas so far include having a stall at Guildford Farmers Market in August 2021 and maybe having some allotment site open days during the week.
Guildford Heritage Team try to link national events with our local heritage. This week their social media pages are featuring National Allotments Week, with information about a painting in their Heritage collection: Merrow Morning Merrow Allotments by Jenny Miles Kisler. It is accompanied by a photo of two of our GAS allotmenteers, Jean and Harry on their allotment on the Worplesdon Road site.
National Allotments Week – 10 –16 August, with the theme Growing Food for Health and Wellbeing.
For more information nationally see the national Allotment Society website
https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news-events-campaigns/national-allotments-week/
Unfortunately the GAS Committee have been unable to organise anything this year due to Covid19, but would welcome suggestions for 2021. Ideas so far include having a stall at Guildford Farmers Market in August 2021 and maybe having some allotment site open days during the week.
Guildford Heritage Team try to link national events with our local heritage. This week their social media pages are featuring National Allotments Week, with information about a painting in their Heritage collection: Merrow Morning Merrow Allotments by Jenny Miles Kisler. It is accompanied by a photo of two of our GAS allotmenteers, Jean and Harry on their allotment on the Worplesdon Road site.
Bellfields : Old farm and lagoon allotments Update : July 2020
Under the Guildford Borough Council (GBC) Strategic Plan the Old Farm and Lagoon allotment sites are planned to be redeveloped with an alternative site being created at the end of North Moors.
Whilst it is not the preferred outcome of either the tenants or Guildford Allotment Society, the Committee have been negotiating with GBC in regard to the new site, to try to get the best possible outcome. The North Moors site will not provide like for like acreage and therefore the Aldershot Road extension (which is also part of the Strategic Plan) has been brought into this scheme to make up the balance. This means that some of the tenants from Bellfields will be asked to move to the extension site which will now be called Woodside Road.
Both sites will be developed to a high specification with new toilets, fresh top soil, and each 10-rod plot will have a shed with water collection. However, before any development work on these new sites can begin the closure of Bellfields has to be approved by the Secretary of State. GBC applied for this at the end of January 2020 and at the time of writing (late July 2020) a response is still awaited.
Notice has been served on the tenants under which they will have from October 2020 to April 2021 to move plants and harvest crops from their existing plots and start planting their new plots. As we are still awaiting the Secretary of State’s response this may have to change if the new sites are not ready. Existing tenants will be billed for their existing plots up to 30th September 2021 and as and when tenants move to new plots, appropriate adjustments will be made. Since there is currently no decision from the Secretary of State, it is possible that the transfer will slip a year.
Under the Guildford Borough Council (GBC) Strategic Plan the Old Farm and Lagoon allotment sites are planned to be redeveloped with an alternative site being created at the end of North Moors.
Whilst it is not the preferred outcome of either the tenants or Guildford Allotment Society, the Committee have been negotiating with GBC in regard to the new site, to try to get the best possible outcome. The North Moors site will not provide like for like acreage and therefore the Aldershot Road extension (which is also part of the Strategic Plan) has been brought into this scheme to make up the balance. This means that some of the tenants from Bellfields will be asked to move to the extension site which will now be called Woodside Road.
Both sites will be developed to a high specification with new toilets, fresh top soil, and each 10-rod plot will have a shed with water collection. However, before any development work on these new sites can begin the closure of Bellfields has to be approved by the Secretary of State. GBC applied for this at the end of January 2020 and at the time of writing (late July 2020) a response is still awaited.
Notice has been served on the tenants under which they will have from October 2020 to April 2021 to move plants and harvest crops from their existing plots and start planting their new plots. As we are still awaiting the Secretary of State’s response this may have to change if the new sites are not ready. Existing tenants will be billed for their existing plots up to 30th September 2021 and as and when tenants move to new plots, appropriate adjustments will be made. Since there is currently no decision from the Secretary of State, it is possible that the transfer will slip a year.
Covid 19 – Guidelines : June 2020
- Use hand sanitiser/alcohol wipes/hot water and soap before opening and closing any gate locks in order to clean the padlock, gate handle and taps
- Observe “Social Distancing” with anyone outside your household i.e. keep 2 metres apart
- Do not share tools
- Do not wash your hands in water troughs
- All communal facilities are closed – this includes community plot facilities, toilets and machinery cabins
- Stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible
- If you display any symptoms of coronavirus or have someone in your household displaying symptoms stay at home and follow the government guidance for isolation.
- Keep to your own plot as much as possible
- Please note this is not a recreation area and is only open for those working on their allotment. no un-authorised people are allowed onto the sites for the duration of this emergency. If you do wish to bring someone to assist you, please ensure that that this is notified either to the Secretary or your Warden. Careful consideration should be given to introducing anyone over 70, those with underlying illness or pregnant women.
Guildford Allotment Society AGM
The planned date of this years AGM is 30th September 2020. This may need to be changed due to the coronavirus restrictions, and all tenants will be notified near the time, and the agenda will also be published here.
The planned date of this years AGM is 30th September 2020. This may need to be changed due to the coronavirus restrictions, and all tenants will be notified near the time, and the agenda will also be published here.