News

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Frog spawn survey

We have seen frog spawn in the wildlife garden pond!  We know we have newts but it’s been a while since we’ve seen any frog spawn.   Hopefully there will soon be little tadpoles swimming around.

Frog spawn survey

The sighting has been uploaded onto the annual PondNet Spawn Survey 2021.

The Freshwater Habitats Trust are asking for help collecting data on the whereabouts of frog and toad spawn across the country by taking part in their PondNet Spawn Survey 2021.

If you seen any frog spawn in your pond then please upload the sighting.  Your survey findings will be fed into their WaterNet database that is freely available for Government bodies, NGOs and local people to download to feed into local wildlife plans and other surveys.

 

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Spring Community Spruce days

Dorset Road Allotments is maintained by our Members who volunteer to help out.   This Spring we will be holding a series of community spruce days for Members to help maintain the site.  These days will comply with the Covid regulations.

Dates

Sunday 7th March, 11.00am – 1.00pm

The wildlife garden needs clearing of brambles in some areas, strimming the long grass and cutting back and planting new hedgerows. We’ll also be replacing the plastic covering the site nursery polytunnel.

Sunday 28th March, 11.00am – 1.00pm

We’ll be continuing work in the wildlife garden including looking at the decking platform, planting new trees in the orchard and setting up the site nursery, with some seed sowing and clearing of site rubbish.

Sunday 11th April, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Seed sowing of tender crops for Plant Sales Day, pricking out and potting on,  and repair of fences around the site

Sunday 23rd May, 11.00am

Plant Sales Day, when we’ll be selling mainly vegetable plants for members’ and friends plots and gardens, including squashes, courgettes, sweetcorn, tomatoes, beans etc.

If you cannot make one of the Community Spruce dates please check the Jobs Board for site work that needs doing.

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Covid-19 – new Lockdown restrictions 2021

The current restrictions brought in by the Government to reduce the spread of Covid-19 has had an impact on life at Dorset Road Allotments.

Unfortunately the allotment site is currently closed to non-members.  We will be able to re-open once the restrictions are lifted.  In the meantime visit our instagram page to see images from the site.

We have postponed all meetings and events, although an AGM will be held online.

Members may still use the site as part of their daily exercise but must follow the guidelines set by the government and take the following precautions to protect themselves and others:

• Before opening or closing the gates each time, either use hand sanitiser (should be 60% alcohol content), or wash your hands for 20 seconds, dry with a paper towel.
• DO NOT touch your face after using anything that has been touched by other people without washing your hands first.
• Observe “Social Distancing” with each other 2-3 metres.
• Do not share tools with other plotholders.
• Do not wash your hands in water troughs.

Please remember to look out for one another during these very difficult times and take all the steps you can to reduce the risk of contagion from the coronavirus.