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Thursday, 13th March 2025
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Leisure Garden Newsletter
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Welcome to our quarterly bulletin.
Inside this issue:
Calendar of events / Mental Health Awareness / Recipes / Top Tips and more.
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For all Leisure Garden enquiries please contact Jackie Fawcett by email:
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admin@haydonwick.gov.uk or telephone: 01793 722446
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Mental Health Awareness Week
Gardening is increasingly recognised for its positive impact on mental health. Recent research highlights the benefits of spending time nurturing plants. Leisure gardens offer not only physical health advantages but also help reduce stress, improve mood, enhance social interactions, and provide a sense of accomplishment. They serve as your gym, social club, nature reserve, pantry, florist, sanctuary, and breathing space. Enjoy the experience!
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COURGETTE, SPELT AND CUMIN FRITTERS with COURGETTE, PARSLEY AND CASHEW SALAD (4 portions)
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Thank you to John from Rusland Cookery School this wonderful recipe.
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25g cumin seeds, toasted and crushed
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50g mature cheddar cheese, grated
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1 fl oz Chardonnay vinegar
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4 green courgettes, halved lengthways
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2 yellow courgettes, finely sliced lengthways
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2 green courgettes, finely sliced into rounds
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100g cashew nuts, toasted and roughly chopped
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For the fritters grate the courgettes and place into a colander then sprinkle with salt.
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Leave to salt for 15 minutes before squeezing well to wring out any moisture.
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Dice the shallots and sauté in olive oil, without colour, to soften.
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Mix the courgettes and the shallots with the remaining fritter ingredients until well combined then season and firmly form into 4 patties.
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For the dressing mix together the olive oil, vinegar and lemon zest and set aside.
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For the courgette salad sauté the halved courgettes in oil and season.
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Separately mix the raw courgettes together with the chopped parsley, dressing and nuts.
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Heat a pan with oil then fry the fritters on both sides until browned and crispy.
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Assembly the fritters onto plates, top with the sautéed courgettes then finish with the raw courgette salad.
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Paul King's Top Tip:
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If you have a top tip - please send it to Jackie to be included in the next edition.
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For those who use a water butt to collect rain water from shed roofs and want to keep it crystal clear, a handy way to stop debris falling in is to use a pair of old tights. Simply stretch the waist over the top of the barrel and feed the downpipe into one of the tight legs. Its also a good way to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs in the water. Yet another example of recycling in action on the allotment.
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Inspection Dates 2025
- Friday 11th April
- Friday 23rd May
- Friday 4th July
- Friday 15th August
- Friday 3rd October
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New Plot Syndrome
No, not a new illness, but rather a case of expectations versus reality. For new gardeners excited at the prospect of working their first allotment, it can often be a little disappointing. They have watched the experts on TV, read the books/magazines or trawled through countless videos on-line and come to the conclusion that tending to and growing your own veg is all a piece of cake. Now don't get me wrong, it is certainly a rewarding hobby and gets easier with practice, but things don't always go to plan. Its best to be prepared for this. It could be the weather, the pests or simply trying to do too much all at once that can set you off course. Don't get disheartened, dust yourself off and start again.
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If you have never had to clear a new area of stubborn weeds, it can take more time than you may have bargained for. The solution is to take it slowly and not do too much in one go, but rather do a little and often. Taking on a new plot does not mean cultivating it all on day one. Try tackling a small area at a time. Clean the area of weeds, dig over and rake as required. Then sow something relatively easy such as a line of radish, onion sets or some carrots. The rest can be covered with some weed suppressant or cardboard, which you can roll back as you progress to the next spot. Before you know it you are completely hooked and passing your advice onto someone newer than you!
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Watch this space for upcoming events during National Allotments Week 2025
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Leisure Garden Representatives Update:
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We met a few weeks ago for our quarterly meeting.
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Communal Composting Areas
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Positions have now been approved and composters will be placed at both Goodearl and Ventnor Close sites. HWPC will not be responsible for maintaining the composters, so please take ownership and use them for their intended purpose.
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To share contact details between our sites to ensure regular deliveries are made throughout the year.
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Fencing at Ventnor and Goodearl
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There are issues with the fencing at both sites; HWPC have been informed so please wait for an update.
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Please ensure you keep your plot tidy . The hedgerows are not to be used for composting areas.
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Our Grounds Maintenance Facility will be opening at the end of April 2025
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A reminder from Ann to join SALGA the Swindon Allotments and Leisure Gardens Association. Even if you are not a member you are able to join their monthly meetings, cake mornings. On their website you can also find out when their next 'blade sharpening' session will be.
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Rose Walk Tenants:
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Apologies for not contacting you to let you know about the maintenance work that our grounds team have recently completed at your site. We will ensure you are updated regarding any future projects.
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Thank you for your understanding.
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Useful Websites:
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Remember to complete our Leisure Garden Survey:
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I hope you have found this edition informative. Please do step forward with any ideas or content that you would like to share within our Leisure Garden Community.
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I know it is now the start of a very busy season for you all, and I hope to meet you when I am out and about on site with your representatives. Happy Leisure Gardening.
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Can you guess how many Leisure Garden / Allotment sites we have in our Parish?
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Find out in our next issue.
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