What happened in 2010...
April 2010
At the beginning of 2010 plotholders were desperately awaiting news of a new site. In April we were told that Hungerford Town Council had agreed a four year lease with the landowner of Marsh Lane so in fact the site was to remain open.
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Delivery of the container |
Hedge cutting |
By the end of April there was much activity on the site and the HAHA committee had started chasing up all prospective plotholders to ensure that as many plots as possible would be used. The allotment waiting list was cleared and all people who want an allotment currently have one.
May 2010
The sunny May Day weekend was the busiest so far on the site with lots of digging, planting and rotavating going on. The stone pile down the central access was removed so the site looks much more open.
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The rabbit fencing work also started at the beginning of May.
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June 2010
The really dry period has meant that plants (and weeds) are coming up well but only with a lot of water carrying by plot holders. The water situation is being investigated but it's proving more difficult to resolve and the HAHA committee are looking at a short-term solution before the permanent one can be arranged.
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Rabbits and pigeons have been causing problems all round but plotholders are keen to keep up with the digging and planting and there are many different methods of protection in use.
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Happily by mid-June the rabbit/deer fencing and gate was completed.
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July 2010
July saw the official handover of the site to HAHA from Hungerford Town Council (Peter Harries and Denise Gaines) and we also officially accepted the grant cheque for £5000 from the West Berkshire Council (Paul Hewer attended), for the rabbit fencing and water.
With no rain since early June, getting water to the site was a priority so the infrastructure is in place and water is brought in to fill the troughs - many thanks to all the people who helped! And the container was painted and made rat-proof.
Of course, as soon as this was in place it rained! Just in time for Hungerford in Bloom - so the site looks lovely and green with produce growing everywhere.
Quite a few plots were entered into the Hungerford in Bloom competition - click here to see photos (as always, higher resolution images are available on the forum).
And the best allotment award..... Neal's Plot 16 
September 2010
A workday was arranged for clearing and seeding the communal area. Lots of people turned up and after a few hours the communal area was the envy of the site!
Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers who achieved this great makeover...!
The first Marsh Lane barbecue on 19th September was called to discuss the plans for the site - as per the draft Marsh Lane Strategy. We were lucky with the weather and thanks to Tony for organising such a successful afternoon with more than 40 plotholders and friends enjoying the fare - including homegrown and homemade produce.
October 2010
The container has been kitted out with hooks and a locked area for the Seed secretary to use. There is also a table to use for potting up (or brewing up). Plotholders should contact John Stanley for details.
November 2010
At the beginning of November, with the help of a loan from Hungerford Town Council, the borehole was drilled - so next year we will have water readily available on the site!! No more bringing water from home or sad-looking veggies - at least, not due to the lack of water :-)
A 12m bore was drilled and work will start in the new year to get the pump set up. The run-off from the drilling has spread down the centre aisle. It is chalk and foaming agent which should disperse - especially if we get some dry weather...
December 2010
The beginning of the month was so wet that the entranceway became a mire - HAHA volunteers laid scalpings over a membrane to make it more accessible.
Within a couple of weeks we had so much snow and ice the whole site looked beautiful but pulling parsnips for Christmas could prove tricky!
