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I am not seeking re-election this year as I wish to concentrate my efforts on teaching another generation the joys of growing for food and pleasure, so I thought that I would review what has been achieved by the Wirral Federation since its inception in 2003.
This will be very general as to point out all the work that has been done by your committee and specific individuals will take far too long. I will not embarrass them by mentioning them by name.
I feel above all else we have raised the profile of Allotments here on the Wirral. Our last meeting, with the local councillors showed how much can be achieved by a group with single mindedness and determination.
We set out to promote and protect our plots and the sustained growth and take up of allotments by groups as well as the many people who now desire to grow their own food shows what we have achieved. The last number I heard and that is probably well out of date, was that the council had a waiting list of 574. Perhaps we were formed at the right time and were able to take advantage of the governments policies regarding healthy eating and exercise but the Wirral Fed has certainly played its part in working with various groups and producing the literature that the council now uses to promote allotments. It is to be hoped that the Council will also take up and put in place the tenancy agreements and tenants handbook that members worked so hard on. It is also hoped that the Allotment strategy plan will undergo the changes suggested by the Wirral Fed.
One of my personal aims was to have societies on every site on the Wirral. I do know that a large number of societies have been formed and are now able to apply for the grants to improve their sites. Beaconsfield site in New Ferry is the latest addition to that growing list and we welcome them. W.A.N.T. is another sideshoot of our growth and they have achieved a complete turnaround on Thornton site. I hope they will continue with their specific aims of safe, secure sites with storage and toilets.
I remind you all of the resources pack that is available for any society to borrow. It is being used by the Fed for continued promotion days at Kings Lane National Gardens Open Day and the Wirral Flower and Veg Show, but do please book your dates with me.
Our representation at the North West Counties and through Dave Morris at the National meetings means that we are at the forefront of what is happening in allotments across the country.
I thank you all for your support and I have no doubt that I will leave the chair in the very capable hands of David Jones who has already shown his dedication to the role, with his very thorough approach to the draft Allotment Strategy Plan. I hope you will all give him your continued support