SPRING NEWSLETTER 2021

 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Well, last year was different wasn't it? I can only hope everyone survived, I haven't heard of any casualties yet but it's still very early in the season and people are coming down to the sheds for the first time, so any news will take time to filter down, but fingers crossed. I don't want to dwell for too long on the pandemic as I believe we have all had enough but I'll tell you how the society survived through last spring and summer. 

As most of you know we had to shut in the first lockdown which obviously caused big problems but the committee all kept in touch and came up with ideas of how to keep going. I started to get telephone enquiries from customers wanting compost etc and so did Pat, so it was arranged for Ray to open up for 'appointments ' during the week and we quickly sold out. Peter Dabnor managed to obtain more compost/manure and as lockdown ended that sold out as well. As the summer continued we opened up with reduced hours and tried to respect all COVID laws and regulations and continued to trade well right through to autumn. So despite all the doom and gloom in the spring, we got through and in fact did quite well and Peter Wells was pleased with the bank balance. 

Throughout the winter Ray and Pat have worked tirelessly and kept the sheds, compound and greenhouse spick and span and Peter D has ensured we have plenty of stock, particularly compost and manure to suit all tastes. Mick has also been busy weighing out and bagging the chemicals and other items into manageable bags. There have been predictable price increases on composts, some big, but we ordered early and dodged the increases. However once our current stock is sold you will notice price rises.

Peter has been adventurous and last summer he ordered winter veg plugs which sold well and we will continue this. He also ordered seed potatoes and onion sets. In stock we have roses (£5), foxgloves, lupins and penstemons  (all £3), agapanthus blue and white  (2 plants in each pot £5), great value all available Sunday mornings. As in previous years we will be growing our own bedding plants from plugs and buying in perennials for sale later in spring. 

We are not planning any coach trips or quizzes this year, but if things change we may run a trip to Wisley later in the year. Many small coach firms have disappeared so it may be difficult to get a decent quote. If anyone has any ideas please let me know. 

As many of you know, Alan doesn't attend on Sunday mornings any more and he is moving to Broadstairs, so this leaves us short of experience and numbers on Sundays. If any of you can help out for a few hours please let us know. It can be very rewarding, we are not bad company and Ray's cakes are brilliant! 

Any enquiries to me on 0208 306 2202 or 07786 744477 or bobbakerblue@gmail.com or in person on Sunday mornings. 

Bob