[Flower]

I am really impressed by the numbers of allotmenteers taking up the plot!Iv'e not long had mine and seem to have landed myself in a bit of trouble. Thankfully I've gardened all my life (It's long!)and though I think I know where I'm going, you can always learn a bit more .Like how do you get the funds for a  petrol shredder for the lotty holders?I somehow got voted in as Treasurer and I think I'd better come up with some suggestions. Bear in mind there are some jolly old codgers on our site. Quite a few on the committee seem to be near 80+. I had thought of a plant bring and buy .Mostly the responses from our fellow lotties have been, "All being well."

[John]

Get one of the 80 + to rob a bank, if captured no one will believe it!

First, set a target (sales psychology here) - then put it on the notice board just like the church roof fund.

Next,  get everyone involved - 80% is done by 20%, so if you can get 30% involved you'll be doing well.

Raffles, BBQ, Produce sale, kids day (got any chooks to see?), produce sale, houseplant sale, texas holdem, gardening quiz at the pub - entry fee - more raffles, open days (free admission, more raffles)

Hope that sparks a few more ideas and replies

[muntjac]

can i suggest you get the council to offer to loan one on specific days in the year .they can also drop tonnes of leaf litter off as they ours .wecan shred anythingup to conifer trees 10ft in hieght and they will take away and use it for mulching park beds etc returning to you what you want to compost.it takes a lttle planning but is werthwhile

[shaun]

or you could hire one at a fraction of the cost of buying one and if it breaks then its not your problem.
trying to get one of the council will be a no-no here its to do with health-n safety and all that gobbidlyguke.
did you know you cant hire a chain-saw around here but you can buy one from argos or B&Q

[muntjac]

thats cos chopping ur leg off is your responsibility then mate .alan a  tree surgeon friend in grimsby died using one on his own .up a tree he sliped saw in the groin he died whilst hanging . moral .if you use one have  mate with you and all the safety gear on

[shaun]

i dont like em mate,what i mean is anyone can buy one with no strings attached no training just a leaflet inside the box.
i also know a chap who cut his arm off with one and he had used them for donkeys years.

[Flower]

Hi , Thanks for the ideas!. I shall jolly well go back on Sunday and put some (all) of them up on the board inside the very big shed they hold the meetings in. You'd love it. Its 100 years old and never seen a days cleaning in its life. Its got dusty shelves and tins of bills. Peas and broad beans in a filing cabinet; which can only be opened in a secret place using a screwdriver. (Are they all like this?)I love the suggestion of robbing a bank. I think they could do it but the main Police Station is over the road and I think it might put them off coming back with the loot. The Target... raffles ,Garden Quiz at the pub, bring and buy,.. great ,but BBQ's are banned because residents dont like fires apparently. What do Texans hold John?? Is that a gardening thing?I shall give it all a go including Freecycle and see what happens.We really need a lawnmower and hedge trimmer too. There are 6 other sites in Shrewsbury so I  must try to ask them what they do, and see if they would like to visit. A lot of them compete in the Shrews. Flower Show. Ever been? We really are very lucky to have all these other sites, you'd think we'd have loads of equipment.

[muntjac]

yanks have a cook out a shin dig . "pool party" ,  " cooking some food "or  "chitlin and greens chow down " or a " raisin " and blooming brilliant they are my ex being a yank from tennessee was into them in a big waay ,red lobster was robbed of al its snow crab and lobster  with the dip being  so yuuummmy .and t bone steaks  a must .i was castigated for wanting chicken portions on mine in knoxville the only people eating them was me and my kids  we held them where the vittles cost £250 for just food .where as here it would be £50 for all things lolo .im guesing the texan ones are all red meat and even bigger bils .


oh and if you dont have " buds or suds " your a heathen lolo

[John]

Think he was joking about Texas holdem, Karl.

I worked in Shrewsbury a couple of times, nice area and I've been to the flower show a couple of times as well.

Best of luck with the fundraising.

[muntjac]

i just saw BBQ  n my saliva started dribbling ,not that i like my food mind  

[Flower]

Hi, Looks like the codgers have a nice penny tucked away after all. They might want to put their false teeth back in when I suggest all that surf and turf, buds and suds(?I'm not washing up..)Seriously I think they will be able to manage.They sell a lot of seeds and fertilizer. Not a chuckie on site here . I wish , but its not allowed.I shall find out a bit more about the agenda for the site when they hold their AGM.I'll try to get some lotty  pics for the gallery and include some of the Shrews. Flower show when I can get to the next one..

[bigtater]

earlier this year i wanted to find out about petrol shredders. i have a few damson and plum trees that needed serious attention, and i didnt like the idea of carting all the prunings to the council skip, it seemed a waste.    as i have no electric on the allotment or water for that matter. a petrol shredder seemed to be the answer.
when i saw the prices i was a bit gobsmacked.
just a few miles away in lower darwen there is a place called the lawnmower specialist he sells reconditioned mowers rotovators all manner of garden machinery goodies at prices more suited to my pocket.
but his cheapest petrol shredder was 600 quid.
then he came up with an idea he said what about a generator and an electric shredder for 300 quid so i came away problem solved. the generator is a medusa trade t2300 and the shredder is a mountfield quiet shredder. i can use the genny for other things as well including brewing up
 

[muntjac]

good thinking mate ,mines snow white and 2 dwarfs ,,

[richyrich7]

Have you tried posting a "want" on your local freecycle site ? www.freecycle.org is where you can get started if you not familiar with it.
Also B&Q have a community fund that you might be able to apply for, just drop in at your local store or get in contact with Head office.