Dear colleagues,
Sadly Bradley Fold is still at further risk of flooding and it is timely to update you on events and future dates for your diaries.
We are in contact with the City Council and Environment Agency to determine what support they can give us in terms of recovery, security, soil testing and future proofing against further floods. Their resources are currently very stretched and we will update you as soon as we have confirmed details.
Our emergency committee on January 5 2025 agreed several measures outlined below.
First , we know many of you have visited the site and we urge you to put safety first. There are uneven surfaces, broken glass, trip hazards and other threats: please do not put yourselves at risk. The roads on site are still blocked and covered with silt so we request you do not bring vehicles on site: if you must drive, do park on nearby roads. Do wear appropriate clothing, make sure your tetanus is up to date and use a walking staff if wading through water. I’m not a medical expert but if your health is already compromised in any way, it is wise to please stay safe.
We are planning at least two events to support plotholders , on Sunday February 2 and Sunday March 2 at 2pm in St Cath’s community centre on School Lane. We will use these meetings to share latest developments in our recovery process, gather your views and offer updates on soil improvement and security.
We will be circulating a form for you to fill in if you require assistance with recovery on your plot, either recovering a viable shed that has migrated or clearing major debris. We will circulate this form shortly by email and by letter. You’ll be able to return it electronically or by post to Gordon Lorimer or at one of the meetings in St Cath’s. We’ll be running a triage system to prioritise helping as many plots as quickly as possible and we’ll be looking for volunteers once it’s appropriate to go on site. If you can assist or wish to join the volunteer WhatsApp group, please message Liz Kolbeck on 07857 713819 who will coordinate. This will be an important group as we move forward prioritising areas for recovery so please participate as much as you can.
Meantime, if you start independently to clear your plots, we are plan to designate areas near the BBQ to act as corrals for four different categories: first, for implements, containers and water butts that have turned up on your plot, to be collected by their owners: second, for wood that is reusable: third for brash and wood debris : fourth, for metal , plastic and glass waste . Please try to use the appropriate drop off points.
During the recovery process, there will be heavy lorries and tractors on site. While they will strive to stay on the roads, they may require off road access to some areas and will need to use wide corners on some bends. Please ensure you do not create obstructions on the road verges of your plots. We’d ask you to leave at least one metre clearance. We will endeavour to contact individual plot holders before vehicles go off road.
Sadly the shop will not be able to reopen on February 2 but there may still be the opportunity to get seed potatoes etc . Container gardening may be the way forward? We’ll update you once we know more about the delivery schedule.
Importantly, we would like to say thankyou to colleagues so far who have been working in contact with the relevant authorities and shared important experiences : the history of floods at Bradley Fold helps guide us as we move forward. If you have expertise or contacts that may be useful to us, please let us know. And particular thanks to fellow gardener Phil T who took the drone footage that was so informative for us all.
As we move forward , we will be recommending a number of helpful tips: to label equipment, to anchor sheds firmly and to consider if glass is really necessary?
I know we are all devastated by the wreckage and damage caused to our much-loved plots by the floods: I am sure we can use this experience to build a strong team spirit and a volunteering resilience to help each other get the best possible results for Bradley Fold in 2025.
Best regards to you all from our committee members,
Janine Cottingham, Chair, Bradley Fold allotments. .