latest news and future events
AGM 2025
will be held this year on Thursday 26th June 2025 at 7.30, at Christchurch Christian Centre, Millham Street, Christchurch (post code to follow)
The Centre can easily be accessed via it's rear door directly opposite the up ramp of the Saxon Square main car park but we'll have someone there to direct if necessary.
Packs including accounts, previous minutes and agenda for the AGM will be emailed out in June.
Any questions please contact the Secretary
will be held this year on Thursday 26th June 2025 at 7.30, at Christchurch Christian Centre, Millham Street, Christchurch (post code to follow)
The Centre can easily be accessed via it's rear door directly opposite the up ramp of the Saxon Square main car park but we'll have someone there to direct if necessary.
Packs including accounts, previous minutes and agenda for the AGM will be emailed out in June.
Any questions please contact the Secretary
THE ASSOCIATION BONFIRE IS NOW CLOSED.
It was started as a favour by Ray who offered to burn wood from a plot being cleared, but it soon became a regular thing and now takes up a lot of his time and all of the space in front of his allotment.
Previously, there have been concerns raised that items placed there have been wholly unsuitable to be burnt, including metals and plastics, all of which the association has had to pay to have removed.
Most recently, there have been complaints that items have been put on the fire after Ray has made it safe and these items have reignited the bonfire leaving it burning at night. This was never the plan. The council are now aware, they have expressed concerns about the safety aspects, especially during this dry weather.
SO IT'S A BIG THANK YOU TO RAY for having done this favour for several years now, it was sterling work and we're all very grateful, but there have always been concerns from his family about his health being around all the extra smoke so it's best he now gives it up. We'll all just have to go back to what we did 4 years ago before he started. THANKS RAY.
NB We would remind all plot holders that an association bonfire is not a right, it was only ever a favour, and that individual bonfires are NOT permitted, a condition of your tenancy. Most weeds and brambles can be composted, anything larger can be taken to the recycling centre for free. Items including metal and plastics should never have been left at the bonfire but disposed of by the plot holders themselves. If you have no vehicle to remove large items, plastics or metals, let the committee know and someone may be able to offer you a lift.
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the cabin
Coffee Mornings start again this coming Sunday with a lovely chance to take a break for coffee, tea and homemade cakes, and maybe ask about growing runner beans or how to avoid carrot fly and the dreaded cub-root! |
two seasonal thing!
the water is back on AND the shop will be open Saturdays until Autumn as well as Sundays
unwanted visitors
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YOUNGSTERS - We are experiencing a bout of unwanted young visitors who are not showing up on the security cameras but are causing nuisances such as opening sheds, moving things, tipping items over etc. If you have anything odd happening on your plot, please let the committee know.
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please note - RHAA Subscriptions now due
see committee member at the Trading Hut on Sundays mornings to pay & receive your new membership card & 2025's number for gate security
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The BCP draft Local Plan is now out for consultation and Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council are inviting all residents to attend a public meeting on 7.00 pm Tuesday 26th March at St Mark's church hall.
Honeybees on the allotment
Bee hives are now permitted on the allotments but only on plots that have a boundary which backs onto the fields (not the boundary with the A35) If you would like to know if your plot is suitable contact Sue Davis The Secretary below and she will be able to give you full details
RHAA have again won the coveted Green Flag Award for the 12th consecutive years.
The Green Flag scheme recognises and rewards managed parks and green spaces, setting the bench mark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces.
RHAA have been awarded for our consistent high standards in maintaining the allotments for the use of all members.
The AGM was held Friday 24th June 2023
A full report will be available soon, but as a taster:
* new security lighting will soon be erected in each row to deter thefts at night
* ways to reduce water usage were discussed, including water storage and an investigation into investing in a borehole
* also discussed - who deals with members using sprinklers/automatic systems against their tenancy agreements, council or association.
* a new committee member was voted in - well done Steve and welcome to the committee
* the finances are in good order, there was an extra thanks to the team in the nursery and shop who kept the annual accounts in credit
* the inspection for a green flag went well and we are hopeful that we will be successful again this year
* the new plot number system is going well, soon the new number plates will arrive and will be sited on the plots
* it was asked how volunteers get to know about working parties, and it was decided to post them on the Facebook pages and website.
A full report will be available soon, but as a taster:
* new security lighting will soon be erected in each row to deter thefts at night
* ways to reduce water usage were discussed, including water storage and an investigation into investing in a borehole
* also discussed - who deals with members using sprinklers/automatic systems against their tenancy agreements, council or association.
* a new committee member was voted in - well done Steve and welcome to the committee
* the finances are in good order, there was an extra thanks to the team in the nursery and shop who kept the annual accounts in credit
* the inspection for a green flag went well and we are hopeful that we will be successful again this year
* the new plot number system is going well, soon the new number plates will arrive and will be sited on the plots
* it was asked how volunteers get to know about working parties, and it was decided to post them on the Facebook pages and website.
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PLOT NUMBERS ARE CHANGING
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 1. For over 10 years new plot holders have only been given a 5 rod plot. Plots have been divided from 10 rods in a haphazard manner. 2. Every plot will have a new number plate fixed to the gate fence or post as near to the roadway as possible, based on every plot being 5 rods. Plots smaller than 5 rods will have a number then a, b, or c as appropriate. 3. 10 rod plots will have two numbers, so that in the future, if vacant, they can be let as 5 rods with sequential numbering. 4. Plots split front to back will have the front number first + “F” to indicate front, the next number will be the back half with “B” to indicate its location. 5. Information will be on the website, plotters etc. in due course. 6. Your next annual invoice from the Parish Council will have your new number on it – it is still your same plot! 7. We ask that no-one removes/ replaces the new number plates. 8. Any queries please enquire at the Trading Hut or on-line. 9. All this has been agreed with the Parish Council. The Parish Council and the Committee will retain both the old and new numbers on record, but will use the new numbers once implemented. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO? Basically nothing – note your new number[s]. WHEN? This will depend on the production of the number plates – about 6 - 8 weeks. |
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John Batchelor
It is with great sadness that we heard that John had passed away on Wednesday 22nd March. He had been a larger than life member of RHAA and our Chairman for many years, always supported by his wife Val and Polly the dog, devoting hours of his time and giving generously to some much need projects.
His funeral took place on the 12th April in Christchurch and was very well attended with over 600 people filling the Priory to the brim, all there to celebrate the life of our good friend. A huge contingent of the RNLI were there along with so many, like our own RHAA members, who this inspirational man had known in his long life.
John will be remembered locally as the fisherman who sold his and other's catches from his shop on Mudeford Quay, with his regular fish price updates on morning radio.
He was one of the founding members of the Mudeford Lifeboat crew where he made navigation his speciality during his long service with them.
Helping many charities throughout his lifetime, John took on the task of writing a fish cook booklet to raise funds for the Mudeford Lifeboat, successfully contributing to a new lifeboat and the new station which he opened on their behalf in 2003.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, his friendly smile and handy gardening tips.
It is with great sadness that we heard that John had passed away on Wednesday 22nd March. He had been a larger than life member of RHAA and our Chairman for many years, always supported by his wife Val and Polly the dog, devoting hours of his time and giving generously to some much need projects.
His funeral took place on the 12th April in Christchurch and was very well attended with over 600 people filling the Priory to the brim, all there to celebrate the life of our good friend. A huge contingent of the RNLI were there along with so many, like our own RHAA members, who this inspirational man had known in his long life.
John will be remembered locally as the fisherman who sold his and other's catches from his shop on Mudeford Quay, with his regular fish price updates on morning radio.
He was one of the founding members of the Mudeford Lifeboat crew where he made navigation his speciality during his long service with them.
Helping many charities throughout his lifetime, John took on the task of writing a fish cook booklet to raise funds for the Mudeford Lifeboat, successfully contributing to a new lifeboat and the new station which he opened on their behalf in 2003.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, his friendly smile and handy gardening tips.
Roeshot Hill Allotment Association had donated funds to the Salvation Army's Easter Break Holiday Clubs for local children. Over 30 children benefitted from the Clubs which included meals. When our Secretary visited, she was able to report back that the donations had been used well.
(more photos to follow) |
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Unwelcome Visitors
Once again there have been reports of thieves at night on our allotments. Several people have clearly been caught on the security cameras and this information has been passed on to the police.
The police have attended this week, liaising with committee members on when and how these people get into the site, which has lead to some very interesting new developments which we hope to be able to report soon.
Meanwhile, lighting is being added to our current security and the committee again remind everyone who attend late in the evening to be sure that the last one out locks the gate securely
And the usual reminder DO NOT TRY TO APPROACH ANYONE SUSPICIOUS! GET WELL CLEAR AND CALL THE POLICE - THEY WILL ATTEND.
Once again there have been reports of thieves at night on our allotments. Several people have clearly been caught on the security cameras and this information has been passed on to the police.
The police have attended this week, liaising with committee members on when and how these people get into the site, which has lead to some very interesting new developments which we hope to be able to report soon.
Meanwhile, lighting is being added to our current security and the committee again remind everyone who attend late in the evening to be sure that the last one out locks the gate securely
And the usual reminder DO NOT TRY TO APPROACH ANYONE SUSPICIOUS! GET WELL CLEAR AND CALL THE POLICE - THEY WILL ATTEND.
Two Reminders from the Committee
Entering other's plots without permission – hopefully you will build a friendly bond with your neighbours and have reciprocal agreements for entering their plot. But if not, please always ask first, unless it is an urgent matter of lifesaving. You may feel you have a legitimate reason, something has blow over or fallen into your neighbours, but we still would like you to ask first.
Finding by Stealing – just because something looks to be abandoned, it cannot just be taken, especially not from another's plot, but including from communal areas. If you feel something has been abandoned and you could make use of it, then contact the committee and they will ask for you. Theft is grounds for EVICTION FROM SITE.
Entering other's plots without permission – hopefully you will build a friendly bond with your neighbours and have reciprocal agreements for entering their plot. But if not, please always ask first, unless it is an urgent matter of lifesaving. You may feel you have a legitimate reason, something has blow over or fallen into your neighbours, but we still would like you to ask first.
Finding by Stealing – just because something looks to be abandoned, it cannot just be taken, especially not from another's plot, but including from communal areas. If you feel something has been abandoned and you could make use of it, then contact the committee and they will ask for you. Theft is grounds for EVICTION FROM SITE.
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Annual Show – For many years David Keaton and his team ran the Annual Shows to perfection, and as they stand down this year, all the members and committee would like express their heart felt gratitude for all the work they have put it.
But this leaves a massive vacancy – Show Organiser. This role entails initial advertising of the event, co-ordinating with the committee on dates, working parties to put up the marquee/tables etc and a team to take the entries and administrate the prizes. To organise the judges and invite prize giving dignitaries. Printing all necessary stationery such as entry form, notices and labels for the exhibitions themselves. Then being on-site on the day to make sure everything runs smoothly. Its a huge undertaking but someone is going to love the challenge, so please contact us. Barbeque – As an Annual Show may not be possible this year, the committee are suggesting a summer barbeque instead! More details to follow and watch the Facebook pages below for more news on this. |