Stamford Street Allotment Society August 2025 Newsletter No. 2

1. Plot Updates – Farewells and Warm Welcomes

This summer has brought a few changes to our allotment community.

• Richie, Steven, and Geoff have each made the decision to leave the allotment.

• Andi’s probation period has now ended.  We wish him and his family well, and he is always welcome to re-join the waiting list in the future.

  
  

But with goodbyes come new beginnings! We’re delighted to welcome:

• Michelle and Radu, who are taking on Plot 6a.

• Victoria, with her husband and their son, who have taken on Plot 6b and are excited to get growing.

• Albert, who has upgraded to a bigger plot, Plot 7a, to continue his fantastic work.

• Viv, who will be taking over Plot 5a.

We also have more visitors lined up to view our available plots soon — so watch this space as our community continues to grow.

2. RHS “It’s Your Neighbourhood” Visit 🌿

We’re excited to share that the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) carried out their “It’s Your Neighbourhood” visit at Stamford Street Allotments this month. This visit is part of a national campaign to support and celebrate community gardening projects like ours.

Last year, we proudly achieved Level 4 – Thriving, and this year we’re hoping to go one step further and reach Level 5 – Outstanding! 🌸🍅

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped keep our plots looking so wonderful — every bit of weeding, planting, and tidying makes a real difference. Fingers crossed for the results! 🌱✨

3. A Big Thank You & Inspection Recap

On Saturday 26 July, we held our summer plot inspection, and we are so proud of the hard work put in by all our members. The site looked fantastic — tidy, colourful, and bursting with life.

It was also a wonderful day to connect as a community. After the inspection, members gathered for the Weekend Club, enjoying tea, coffee, cakes, and good conversation. Thank you to everyone who joined us — your support and enthusiasm really shine through!

4. Competitions – Our Summer Winners!

Our Harvest Hero Photo Competition and Best Flower Bouquet Competition were a real highlight. Flower settings were beautifully displayed on the community plot for voting, and photos were shared in our WhatsApp group where members voted.

Congratulations to all our winners Albert, Anne, Sue and Phil — and thank you to everyone who entered. You’ve brightened up the allotment and our spirits. Prizes included gardening goodies and seeds, and we loved the creativity from everyone who took part.

5. Competition Time – Longest Runner Bean!

This month we’re excited to announce the Longest Runner Bean Competition!

Bring along your best entry to the community plot during the Weekend Club on Saturday 23rd of August

• 📏 The beans will be measured on the spot.

• 🏆 The grower of the longest bean will take home a gardening prize!

• 📸 Don’t forget — we’ll be taking photos for the newsletter and website.

Let’s see who can grow the champion bean of Stamford Street this summer!

6. Community Collaboration

July also brought exciting news for our community plot:

• Phil met with the local community college, who shared plans for an office area at the entrance and a pergola space on the community plot.

• The college chef will be growing crops in our raised beds for use in student cookery classes — a fantastic opportunity to showcase our produce!

• We are delighted to have received a £250 Port in Bloom voucher to create a sensory garden, which will soon be incorporated into the community plot for everyone to enjoy.

7. Safeguarding & GDPR Updates

As part of our continuing commitment to member safety and privacy, the committee has updated:

• Safeguarding Policy: Our designated safeguarding officers are now Alina Hincu (Chair) and Clare Aldridge (Secretary). Their contact details are posted on site.

• GDPR Policy: A new policy has been drafted to ensure secure handling of member data. Both policies will be approved at the next meeting.

  
  

  Committee and volunteers will be soon asked to sign agreements confirming compliance.

🛡️ Standing Together Against Rumours

At Stamford Street Allotment Society, we are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for everyone. Unfortunately, it has come to the committee’s attention that inappropriate rumours have been circulating among members.

We’d like to remind all plot holders that spreading rumours or making personal, discriminatory, or unfounded comments about others is not only deeply hurtful but also goes against our Constitution and Safeguarding Policy, which clearly state:

• All members have the right to enjoy the allotment free from harassment, discrimination, or intimidation.

• The Society does not tolerate behaviour that undermines the safety, dignity, or reputation of others.

• Any such conduct may be treated as misconduct under our Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures.

Rumour-spreading can cause lasting distress and damage to the sense of community we have all worked hard to build. If you hear something concerning, please do not pass it on — instead, report it directly to the Chair or Secretary (our Designated Safeguarding Officers), so it can be handled appropriately.

🌿 Let’s continue to support one another and ensure that Stamford Street Allotments remains a place where kindness and respect grow alongside our plants.

8. Gardener’s Tip of the Month

Harvesting Success: August is peak harvest time — remember to pick crops regularly to keep plants producing.

• Tomatoes: Pinch out side shoots and feed weekly for a bumper crop.

• Courgettes: Pick when small for best flavour and to encourage more fruit.

• Herbs: Snip regularly — basil, mint, and chives will keep rewarding you.

🌱 What to Sow and Plant Now

There’s still plenty you can grow! You can sow quick‑growing crops like salad leaves, turnips, kohlrabi, chard, fennel, and Chinese cabbage, which will keep your beds productive into autumn. It’s also a great time to transplant kale and Brussels sprouts for strong winter harvests. If you have space, you might also try spring onions, spinach, or radishes for extra variety.

9.🧑‍🍳 Recipe of the month

🍰 Green Tomato Cake – A Tasty Way to Use Up Unripe Tomatoes

This month we’re delighted to share a very special recipe with you – kindly passed on to us by Graham, one of our fellow gardeners. It’s for a Green Tomato Cake, a clever and delicious way to use up those end‑of‑season tomatoes that never quite ripen.

A Bit of History

Green tomato cake may sound unusual, but it has a long history. The recipe first appeared in North America during the late 1800s, when thrifty home cooks often used green tomatoes in baking, especially in “mock” pies that mimicked apple or mincemeat. During the Great Depression and World War II, it gained even more popularity as a resourceful way to make use of what was available in the garden.

Despite the name, the cake doesn’t taste like tomatoes at all. Instead, the fruit keeps the sponge moist and tender, while the warm spices, raisins, and nuts give it the comforting flavour of a traditional spice cake. Many who try it compare it to carrot cake or zucchini cake.

Graham’s Recipe

This version, shared by Graham, is a tried‑and‑tested favourite. It’s a simple, wholesome cake flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, and raisins, all brought together with a pound of diced green tomatoes. The result is a wonderfully moist cake that’s perfect for sharing over a cup of tea at the allotment.

Ingredients

• 1 lb 4 oz (560g) sugar

• 9 oz (250g) lard or shortening (Stork works well)

• 3 medium eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence

• 1 lb (450g) plain flour

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon nutmeg

• 6 oz (170g) chopped walnuts

• 6 oz (170g) raisins

• 1 lb (450g) diced green tomatoes

• Coconut (or poppy seeds) for topping – optional

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F / 160°C.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, lard, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

3. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then gradually beat into the egg mixture until well combined.

4. Stir in the walnuts, raisins, and diced green tomatoes.

5. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch cake tin.

6. If desired, sprinkle with coconut or poppy seeds.

7. Bake for about 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.

8. Allow to cool before slicing.

Serves: 12

Why You Should Try It

Not only is this cake a delicious treat, it’s also a great example of making sure nothing in the garden goes to waste. So, if you find yourself with a basket of tomatoes that refuse to ripen, why not give Graham’s Green Tomato Cake a go?

Who knows – it might become a new allotment tradition! 🌱🍅

10. Plot of the Month – Congratulations, Debra!

We are delighted to announce that the Plot of the Month for July has been awarded to Debra on Plot 11a! 🌱👏

The committee was unanimous in their choice — Debra’s plot is a wonderful example of dedication, creativity, and care. From healthy vegetables to safe structures, Plot 11a truly stands out.

Debra’s hard work shows what can be achieved with consistent effort and a love for gardening, and we’re proud to celebrate her contribution to making Stamford Street Allotments such a welcoming and inspiring place.

Congratulations, Debra — and thank you for setting such a fantastic example for us all! 🌿💐

11. Growing Event at Whitby Park on Tuesday 19th August 1pm - 3pm

Stamford Street Allotment Society has teamed up with other local community growing initiatives to launch the very first Ellesmere Port Community Growing Event!

📍 Whitby Park📅 Tuesday 19th August⏰ 1pm – 3pm

This celebration of local growing will showcase all the wonderful fruit, veg, and flowers you can grow right here in Ellesmere Port. We’ll be running a stall to display the fantastic produce our community can grow – and we’d love your help!

If you can spare an hour or two, come along and help out on the stall. Or, if you’re unable to attend, consider donating any homegrown veg, plants, or flowers to be featured – everything helps to inspire others to get growing.

Let’s show Ellesmere Port what we can grow, together!

📌 What’s Coming Up

• Weekend Club: Every Saturday or Sunday at 11 am — tea, coffee, and community spirit.

• Community Growing Event - Come join us on Whitby Park on Tuesday 19th August between 1-3pm

• Longest Runner Bean Competition - 23rd August

• Pumpkin Carving Contest 🎃 – coming soon!

• Bonfire Night Gathering 🔥 – save the date!

• End-of-Year Celebration 🎉 – details to follow.

• Newsletter Contributions: Please send recipes, tips, or photos for the next issue by 28th of August.

🤗Always here for you!

🌿 Together We Grow 🌿

Your committee is here to support, listen, and celebrate all the good work happening across our plots. Thank you for being part of a community that cares for both the land and each other.

Alina, Claire and Sue