Judges from Southend Borough Council will soon be visiting the site for the annual Allotment Competition.   We've always given a good account of ourselves and last year finished a very creditable third.   The trophy for the best 10 rod plot in the Borough was won by Peter Hills, our treasurer.

Wednesday, 16th June from 9.00 am is when the judges will be looking round the plots.

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Just in case most of you wonder how the soggy earth of December can serve up a good crop in July then you only have to take a look at the picture. 

Miraculously it always happens.  In six months turn we shall be there again, enjoying the benefits of a lot of hard work and spending as much time as possible on our plots and secretly congratulating ourselves on the quality of our produce.

No-one can say that Manchester Drive Allotment Society is slumbering at the moment.   The new committee are working hard to generate fresh ideas and enthusiasm among the membership and, despite the economic gloom, we are hopeful that in 2009 we shall have some grant money to fund our exciting and ambitious schemes.

In three years time we want to have new buildings, a thriving social and teaching centre, better fencing and security, adeqate water facilities and much better tracks throughout the site. 

We are in the business of growing! Not just spuds and carrots - but as a Society! The fruits of that healthy growth can feed the future of the Society. A number of crucial issues were raised at the Annual General Meeting in May. Many members felt the rules and constitution should be revised and that is now a matter of some urgency which will be addressed at the meeting at Leigh Council Offices on Friday, September 5th (7.15 pm).

It's been a great week for the Society.....and for two people in particular, Kathy Guiver and our treasurer Peter Hills.

Kathy and Peter have come out on top in their categories in the recent Southend-on-Sea Allotment Competition for 2008.

Peter's 10-rod plot was judged as the best in the Borough and he shares first place with a plotholder from Westcliff Land Cultivation Society.

These are changing times for the Society.  Membership is up; new plots are becoming available to meet the demand - and now we have more volunteers who are prepared to help with the administration and organisation of the Society.

What makes a winning allotment?  That’s a question which some of us would like to know before the judges come along for next week’s Southend-on-Sea Allotments Competition.  Friday the 13th is judgement day;  maybe it will be lucky for us this time.

Minutes of the AGM held on 23rd May 2008 have been published, and are available to all registered MDAS members.

You can register on the site by following the instructions here and then here.