Getting site jobs done

The paddock mown and strimmed - this area no longer sees No Mow May.

10 May 2025  (Saturday)

We had a Work Social at the site this morning, and I'd quite a list of jobs to do, from tidying communal areas to removing a dead tree from the paddock area.  We’re a self-managed site so handle most of these jobs ourselves, calling on the Charity of William Hobbayne should we need its approval on something, or if it’s a boundary issue which is fully the charity’s jurisdiction.

The Hanwell Hootie is also on this day each year - it took a break over the pandemic and I think the year after though was back in force a year or so ago.  Several of our plot tenants volunteer at the Hootie, and I think some perform, or have relations / friends who do so it’s very much a local affair... apart from this year when to me it did not feel local, to me at least, it felt as if everyone I was passing on the crowded streets were from afar, not Hanwell.  I know it draws huge crowds each year, though this year just seemed different, and more anxiety inducing.  Hey ho...

Anyway, I digress…

When I posted of the Work Social in our allotment's private WhatsApp group several people came back to say they couldn’t make the date, various reasons for all though mainly that it clashed with the Hanwell Hootie at which they were volunteering; one person volunteered “Bad timing” - for whom I wonder, them or everyone else?

You see, it was perfect timing for me, as I don't attend and have no interest in volunteering at our Hanwell Hootie - the fact it happens is fine, I just don’t want to be part of it.  Also, seeing as for the past seven years I've organised all the Work Socials and tried various options, as I also did prior to this at the Community Gardens, I've realised the only diary to work around when planning these is my own… so I do!

Anyway, despite the thoughts of some that every single plot tenant would be volunteering at the Hootie, we had the best turnout of tenants to do stuff than we’ve had all season; Work Social season being November through to June - not every month, though most.

Lots of work was done, and I mean lots - mowing and strimming in the paddock area, strimming the main entrance and communal paths, cutting back the growth by the bike stand outside the main gate, removing 2/3rds of a dying tree at the back of the paddock (hoping what's left will recover) and also one that was overhanging and in danger of falling onto the pavement and road.  Sycamore growing through the main fence line was removed, wooden furniture treated, the outside of the communal shed was strimmed and tidied, and areas of deep bramble were gently cut back and managed, and two ash were taken down and out.

​All in all a really great morning's work!  It did really seem that everyone who turned up, whether for 45 minutes or for the whole 10am to 1pm was up for it, and we got all of the jobs bar one on my list done by about 12.15am, so it was time for tea, coffee, biscuits and Lidl apple pies.

Bramble areas cut back for management and safety.

Paths and edges tidied, again for management and safety.

Communal areas strimmed and tidied for summer events.

​After lunch, it was time to film Sunday Chat… then back to the plot for more work, and to film the final segment of A Week at the Plot.

After supper, for which I was going to cook from scratch though thought better of it, it was some TV, then book, then sleep.


Weather:  Very dry, and continues to be sunny and breezy, though much warmer, 22°. 

Breakfast:  Lidl Crumpets, ProActive spread, yeast extract and peanut butter
Lunch:  Richard’s Vegan Welsh Rarebit
Supper:  Quorn Escalope, potato salad, lettuce, cucumber, radish, and beetroot lightly pickled