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Leisure Garden Newsletter
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Welcome to our triannual bulletin.
Inside this issue:
Reflection on the year / Annual Leisure Garden Competition winners / Recipes
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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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Annual Plot Holders Meeting 2025
We were pleased with the excellent attendance at our annual plot holders meeting on 6th October. We reviewed the previous minutes and addressed new agenda items. Our guest speaker, Alan Holland, shared insights into the remarkable work undertaken by the TWIGS community project. If you'd like to volunteer for a worthwhile cause, please visit their website.
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https://www.therecoverytreecharity.org.uk/twigs-community-gardens/
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Leisure Garden Competition Winners 2025
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Celebrating Our Prize Winners
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Our recent Annual Plot Holders meeting provided the perfect opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work of our talented gardeners. This year's competition entries were truly outstanding, presenting our judges with their toughest decisions yet.
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The competition highlighted the incredible commitment and expertise flourishing across our plots. Every entry revealed a distinct vision—from thoughtful layouts and original design concepts to the patient, dedicated care invested throughout the season.
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Judges were particularly impressed by the inventive growing methods and imaginative use of available space. The quality of this year's entries demonstrates the thriving passion and enthusiasm within our Leisure Garden Community, with a palpable sense of excitement and energy surrounding the competition.
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1 large onion, finely diced
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200g butternut squash, small dice
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100g Parmesan cheese, grated
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Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
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In a pan melt the knobs of butter, add the oil and sweat the onion, carrot, butternut squash and garlic until tender then stir in the thyme and tarragon.
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Add the rice and ensure it is coated in the oil and butter.
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A ladle full at the time slowly add the hot stock waiting each time for the rice to absorb the stock occasionally stirring.
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To serve stir in the mascarpone and cheese then season to taste.
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Seasonal recipe kindly supplied by John Bridgeman25/2026 Season.
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Leisure Garden Social Event
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What an incredible evening! Our very first leisure garden picnic hosted at our Rose Walk site was a real success.
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Around 40 people joined us for an evening of good company, refreshments, and conversation. It was lovely watching the sunset over our beautifully maintained gardens while surrounded by fellow gardening enthusiasts.
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We are hoping to host our next event at Ventnor Close in the Spring.
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John Sheppard'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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Winter planning:
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Clear out dead plants and debris to prevent pests and diseases, then add a thick layer of mulch or compost to protect the soil.
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Interested in joining a coach trip to a garden show?
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Click the survey link below:
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We'd love to hear your ideas!
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Possible destinations include:
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- Chelsea Flower Show (May 2026)
- Malvern Autumn Show (September 2026)
- National Trust Gardens
Trip price TBC - dependent on our destination.
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SUMMER EVENT 2026
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Given the abundance of fruit and vegetables available during summer, we are planning to set up a stall at next year's summer event. We'd love to feature any surplus produce you might have, with all donations going to our supported charity. Please let us know if you'd be interested in participating on Saturday 15th August 2026.
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New Competition date Tuesday 23rd June 2026
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Inspections are to resume in March 2026.
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Save the Date: Annual Leisure Garden Meeting: Monday 5th October 2026
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Garlic - A veg of daydreams not nightmares
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Autumn has arrived and so as the darkness draws in, its time for us to start thinking about Garlic. Now, I cannot vouch for its effectiveness, when it comes to keeping Vampires from our doors, but I can certainly say its well worth getting your teeth into, being an excellent addition to so many meals.
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October is an ideal month to plant Garlic, giving it a head start for next spring and importantly the prospect of some very cold weather ahead. This period of low temperatures helps to divide the bulb into individual cloves, which is what you are aiming for.
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There are a number of garlic types to choose from. Basically, they fall into two distinct groups, soft-neck and hard-neck. No, we are not talking about Vampires again! The soft-neck varieties are milder in flavour and will store longer, whereas the hard-neck have a stronger flavour, but generally only keep for about 4-6 months. There is one other group, and these are called Elephant Garlic. Not one that I have had any success with myself, but I am sure there are many gardeners among you who will have no trouble in growing these giant yet mild bulbs, with more skill than myself.
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Growing garlic is very straight forward, really. In most cases individual cloves can be planted 15cm apart and 2.5cm deep. You can even sow into pots, if your soil is not prepared yet and transplant later. They should be ready to harvest in early June and like onions after drying, can be strung up in a shed or garage for storing and eating as needed.
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED...VOLUNTEERS NEEDED...VOLUNTEERS NEEDED...
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Are you able to support?
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We are losing one of our valued volunteers at the end of the year and really need support with the fortnightly Monday passenger lifts to the Haydon Wick Over 60's Club.
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Please let me know if you are interested or would like further information. This really is a rewarding role which is much appreciated by our more vulnerable residents.
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Composting system...
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How to easily build a wooden compost bin using upcycled pallets. It’s the ideal size for converting garden waste into compost and costs very little to build.
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To be truly effective, a compost pile needs to be a certain size and get enough air inside the mix. That’s why the plastic compost bins sold in many garden centres aren't good for aerobic composting. Everything inside a plastic bin will break down but over a much longer time than a heap that’s larger and better aerated.
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For quicker compost, you need heat and oxygen, and for that to happen, the heap needs to be much larger. Turning compost and/or piling it so oxygen can get inside the heap also speeds up the composting process. Both of these aspects are addressed in a homemade pallet compost bin.
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For a compost pile to create the right environment for microbes, it should be between 3-5 square feet. Any smaller and it won’t be large enough to hold the heat needed, any larger and the bulk of it will stop air from getting to the centre.
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For this project, you will need four wooden pallets that have been heat-treated rather than chemically treated.
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Look for the stamp that’s on the side of every pallet. There will be a lot of symbols, letters, and numbers but what you’re looking for is ‘HT.’ If you see this, it means that the wood has been heat-treated to kill microbes and insects. If you see the symbol ‘MB,’ it means that the pallet was treated with methyl bromide, a chemical insecticide. You shouldn’t use chemically treated pallets for garden projects.
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It’s easy to make a pallet compost bin, if you’re on a flat surface, stand two pallets up so that their longer side is their width rather than their height. Overlap them at one end and use large cable ties or baling twine to bind them together. Natural fibres like garden string will break down over time, so it’s best to use synthetic material. I’ve also used screws for a stronger connection, but it’s unnecessary. Strong synthetic twine or similar works a treat. Connect the pallets together at both the top and bottom for extra stability.
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Next, add the third pallet and bind it too. These three pallets are for the sides and back to your compost bin. The fourth pallet is your gate and must be removed from time to time. Keep this in mind as you tie it on too. It really is as easy as that to create a simple wooden compost bin.
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Of course for more stability the pallets can be trenched into the ground.
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Ventnor Close Leisure Garden Representative
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Please note the code to the leisure garden gates will be changing from Saturday 1st November to: 1918
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Please note your leisure garden rents are now due for 2025/2026 Season.
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Click on the link for information on 'Trees for Cities'
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Leisure Garden Representatives Update:
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An update from our latest meeting:
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The wooden railing at the top of Ventnor has now been replaced.
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To be continued through the winter.
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To reinstate the plots next to our Grounds Maintenance Facility and at the bottom of Ventnor Close.
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Have been approved and will be installed over the winter.
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Our Grounds Maintenance Facility will be opening at the end of October 2025 - we will notify you of our official opening ceremony.
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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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Water supply:
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Following this summer's exceptionally dry conditions, we are extending the water availability period. Water supplies at all sites will remain on until the end of November.
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Useful Websites:
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IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY NOTICE - Reducing the risks of Legionella
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To reduce the risk of Legionella from water butts:
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- Keep the water cool: Place the water butt in the shade to prevent the water from getting too warm, as bacteria thrive above 20∘C20 raised to the composed with power cap C20∘𝐶.
- Clean regularly: Clean water butts at least once a year. Drain the butt completely, scrub it with a mild detergent and warm water, and rinse it well.
- Avoid generating aerosols: Use a watering can to apply water, rather than a hose or sprinkler, which can create fine water droplets that can be inhaled.
- Prevent debris: Keep the lid on tight and use a mesh filter to prevent leaves, insects, and other debris from getting into the water, as this can encourage bacterial growth.
- Keep gutters clear: Regularly clean your gutters to prevent debris from washing into the water butt.
- Stay cautious: If you are in a high-risk group (over 45, a smoker, or have certain chronic illnesses), take extra precautions.
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What a glorious summer we had but I understand it was challenging conditions for you due to the prolonged dry spell with constant watering - however the Leisure Gardens have been exceptionally beautiful this year.
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May I take this opportunity to thank you for all of your hard work and dedication at making our Leisure Gardens such wonderful places to be - I really enjoy this side of my job.
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Does anyone know when the Rose Walk site was officially opened?
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