Author: Art

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Allotment Trading hut going cashless (5th April)

From Sunday 5th April. and forwards, only bank transfers or credit/debit cards will be accepted to buy shop stock, e.g. compost, canes etc.

The trading hut on our Lion Road site will stop accepting cash for shop stock purchases after Sunday 29th March. Sunday 29th March will be the last day you can purchase shop stock using cash.

NB: If you pay by bank transfer the Society will receive 100% of the funds, if you use a credit/debit card using our new card reader the Society will receive 98.31% of the funds.

Why has the Committee made this decision?

In order to try and keep the Trading Hut open for as long as possible.

As the Committee has had no volunteers from the membership to take up the position of Trading Hut Manager or to be the Society Treasurer, this measure should hopefully make it easier to both operate the trading hut and keep the Society accounts in order.  

Can we still make cash donations for old tools etc.?

Yes.

The donations box will remain in place for cash when members wish to buy second hand tools and other donated items given to the Society by members.

You can also pay for such items using bank transfer or credit/debit card.

Please note that you cannot pay for shop stock items, e.g. compost/canes etc. by putting cash in the donations box. In order to ensure we can keep our accounts in order.  

Will you still take cash on the Rent Renewals weekend?

Yes.

The process for paying rents will remain the same. The Society will accept cash to pay for rent renewals  – during the “Rent Weekend” only. All other rent renewal payments must be made by cheque or by bank transfer. The Society will not accept rent renewal payments by card as the terminal we use to accept these payments  levies a 1.69% fee and doing so would have an impact on the Society’s funds.

Thank you

The Committee

Bensham Manor Allotment Society

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Community Shop Update

Just a short note regarding some important changes at the community shop.

The shop will be open on a Sunday morning at the revised time of 10.30am until 12.30pm. It must be noted that the shop may not be open every Sunday.

It will be open when we have a committee member available, the reason as we have no member wishing to take on the management of the shop. Where possible we will aim to email informing in advance when the shop will be closed. If no one steps forward the shop will permanently close at the end of September 2026.

Now for some better news, those of you who placed an order for Potatoes etc. All orders have now been processed and are ready for collection this coming Sunday. 🥔🧅

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Plot Inspections

A timely reminder that plot inspections will be starting again soon – in March we undertake a preliminary inspection checking for things such as:

Plot numbers being clearly visible and that paths are in good order.

Then in April plot inspections will begin in earnest.

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🔥 March Bonfires 🔥

Please find attached Bonfire notice for 21st March 2026:

YOU WILL BE PERMITTED TO HOLD BONFIRES
On the 21st March 2026
AFTER SUNSET WHICH IS AT 18.14

MEMBERS MUST ADHERE TO THE SITE RULE 17c WHICH GOVERNS BONFIRES BELOW:

(c) Plot holders are not permitted to burn bonfires on the site except on the days
publicized by the committee. The beginning of November and the end of February are
the two occasions when bonfires will be permitted and only AFTER SUNSET. Tenants
who infringe this by-law will be liable to forfeit their plot. Tenants unable to attend the
site after sunset should consult the committee for help. The Society’s leaflet about
bonfires must be followed. Only rubbish generated by the plot can be burnt.

BONFIRES MUST BE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES AND YOU MUST ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN FULLY EXTINGUISHED BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE SITE.

N.B. Should we have bad weather on this day permission will be withdrawn and another date will be advised.

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PICNIC AT THE PLOT

Just a quick reminder about the PICNIC AT THE PLOT this coming Saturday 23rd August being held in the Communal Garden on Lion Road 12pm – 4pm.

We hope you can come and join us with your picnic.

All proceeds from the raffle go towards the Society Funds.

Kind regards,
BMAS Committee

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Water Update

All Members

The Society held its Annual General Meeting yesterday on the 28th June. For those of you who were unable to attend the meeting (which was the vast majority of the membership), one of the key issues that was discussed was the increase in our water costs, which have gone up by 40%. 

This large increase in the cost of water now means that the money we collect from you all to cover the cost of water we all use is no longer sufficient. However, the society has decided this year we will not be increasing water charges for members but it is likely we will need to do this in September 2026. The Society will use its existing funds to absorb the increase this year and thus reduce this financial burden on the members. 

However, in light of these increased water charges it is even more important that ALL MEMBERS ensure that water is used carefully and should not be wasted or mis-used. We would ask all members to re-read the latest “Using Water” document that was recently circulated, noting that hose pipes are forbidden. Any members who believe that anyone in the Society is mis-using water should notify the committee immediately so action can be taken. Mis-use of water, especially the use of hose pipes, is a serious breach of the Society’s Rules and can lead to termination of tenancy. 

Thank you

The Committee

Bensham Manor Allotment Society ltd.