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Slough Observer news release 27th Sept 2018:
Rats destroy allotment holders' prized crops Rodgers Najoli and his ruined crop
By Francis Batt News Reporter
An invasion of rats has destroyed crops and broken the hearts of dedicated allotment holders.
This week Rodgers Najoli, 51, of Farnham Road, Slough surveyed the lovingly tended crop of corn and maize that he has spent two years cultivating at the Stoke Road allotments, as he described what has happened.
He said he realised in August as the long heat wave came to a close that something was wrong, when a neighbouring allotment holder pointed out that rats could be seen clinging onto the maize trees.
Soon the trees had been stripped, leaving dried up hanging cobs with all the bright yellow corn eaten away.
Mr Najoli says his neighbours on the allotment have all suffered similarly.
He said: "One man has covered his crop with plastic bottles in an attempt to keep the rats away."
Allotment holders on the site pay £28 annually to Slough Borough Council and are not allowed to sell their produce commercially.
But Mr Najoli, who has lived in Slough for 15 years, said: "Last year I really enjoyed being able to entertain my friends from the church with food I had grown here. I'm from Kenya and grew up on a farm so I was delighted to get an allotment and the opportunity to start growing my own food."
Mr Najoli is a support worker at Arbour Vale School, working with children with learning difficulties. He has a grown up son and lives with his wife Diana.
He said: "When you have invested a lot of time, coming in every morning before going to work to make sure the trees are watered and coming back at the end of the day just to give the rats a feast, it is very disappointing."
He called on Slough Borough Council to get its experts to work to try and find a way of controlling the rats next year, although it is too late for this year's crop.
He said: "I understand the council was approached a month ago and we are waiting to hear back."
By Francis Batt News Reporter
An invasion of rats has destroyed crops and broken the hearts of dedicated allotment holders.
This week Rodgers Najoli, 51, of Farnham Road, Slough surveyed the lovingly tended crop of corn and maize that he has spent two years cultivating at the Stoke Road allotments, as he described what has happened.
He said he realised in August as the long heat wave came to a close that something was wrong, when a neighbouring allotment holder pointed out that rats could be seen clinging onto the maize trees.
Soon the trees had been stripped, leaving dried up hanging cobs with all the bright yellow corn eaten away.
Mr Najoli says his neighbours on the allotment have all suffered similarly.
He said: "One man has covered his crop with plastic bottles in an attempt to keep the rats away."
Allotment holders on the site pay £28 annually to Slough Borough Council and are not allowed to sell their produce commercially.
But Mr Najoli, who has lived in Slough for 15 years, said: "Last year I really enjoyed being able to entertain my friends from the church with food I had grown here. I'm from Kenya and grew up on a farm so I was delighted to get an allotment and the opportunity to start growing my own food."
Mr Najoli is a support worker at Arbour Vale School, working with children with learning difficulties. He has a grown up son and lives with his wife Diana.
He said: "When you have invested a lot of time, coming in every morning before going to work to make sure the trees are watered and coming back at the end of the day just to give the rats a feast, it is very disappointing."
He called on Slough Borough Council to get its experts to work to try and find a way of controlling the rats next year, although it is too late for this year's crop.
He said: "I understand the council was approached a month ago and we are waiting to hear back."
Around the UK other Allotment sites have been also plagued by rats, it is really important to avoid leaving places for rats to nest on plots. Clearing away nesting material (Rubbish) is a must. If everyone kept plots disturbed enough by working on them too it would also help.
Be community minded and help your neighbours as well as yourselves by keeping on top of rubbish removal by taking your rubbish home with you.
It will all help.
The Council are aware that the previous contractors have not done as much as they could and have let allotment growers down. This is an ongoing matter.
Be community minded and help your neighbours as well as yourselves by keeping on top of rubbish removal by taking your rubbish home with you.
It will all help.
The Council are aware that the previous contractors have not done as much as they could and have let allotment growers down. This is an ongoing matter.
To have a larger say on what happens on your allotment sites, come along to the meetings, join your local allotment groups and get involved with others.
Slough Allotment Federation are there to help you but we need to be able to hear your thoughts and ideas.
If you want to get involved more watch these pages for meeting dates and come along!
Slough Allotment Federation are there to help you but we need to be able to hear your thoughts and ideas.
If you want to get involved more watch these pages for meeting dates and come along!
Cherry Orchard now has facilities to cater for disabled persons that want to grow.
Co-op Community Fund
Local community fund 1% for your community. Our way of giving back to local communities as a member,
every time you shop at Co-op, 1%
of what you spend on selected own-brand products
and services goes to the Co-op Local community fund.
LOG IN,
SIGN UP,
SHOP CIPPENHAM
HELP US GET OUR POLY TUNNEL PROJECT OFF THE GROUND.
HELP US HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH THE JOY OF GARDENING.
WE ARE VERY NEARLY THERE, KEEP SHOPPING IN CO-OP CIPPENHAM OR SELECT US AS YOUR CHOSEN CHARITY.
THANK YOU!
Co-op Community Fund
Local community fund 1% for your community. Our way of giving back to local communities as a member,
every time you shop at Co-op, 1%
of what you spend on selected own-brand products
and services goes to the Co-op Local community fund.
LOG IN,
SIGN UP,
SHOP CIPPENHAM
HELP US GET OUR POLY TUNNEL PROJECT OFF THE GROUND.
HELP US HELP MORE PEOPLE WITH THE JOY OF GARDENING.
WE ARE VERY NEARLY THERE, KEEP SHOPPING IN CO-OP CIPPENHAM OR SELECT US AS YOUR CHOSEN CHARITY.
THANK YOU!
Cherry Orchard Allotment
holders celebrate accessible raised beds. Written by James Hockaday 10.00AM Saturday 19 May 2018 |
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Allotment holders celebrated the opening of newly refurbished raised beds at Cherry Orchard, which will make it easier for disabled and elderly people to grow their own produce. The refurbished beds came about after volunteers from Morgan Sindall and Slough Urban Renewal (SUR) were working on the Stoke Road site in late 2016.
Morgan Sindall have since helped the Stoke Road and District Allotment and Garden Association with general maintenance, spraying weeds and overgrowth, painting blocks, replacing the soil capping and adding top soil to beds.
The company’s volunteers have now refurbished and raised 12 beds.
Trevor Allen, of the Stoke Road and District Allotment and Garden Association, said: “The beds had stood derelict for many years and we were, as an association keen to see them in use by disabled people.
“The restoration work means that they can be made available to people who are currently denied the opportunity to grow their own produce.”
The beds feature drinking water nearby and shelter for inclement weather.
Five mini-allotments are set to be developed for more able bodied people which will be alongside the disabled beds.
Morgan Sindall have since helped the Stoke Road and District Allotment and Garden Association with general maintenance, spraying weeds and overgrowth, painting blocks, replacing the soil capping and adding top soil to beds.
The company’s volunteers have now refurbished and raised 12 beds.
Trevor Allen, of the Stoke Road and District Allotment and Garden Association, said: “The beds had stood derelict for many years and we were, as an association keen to see them in use by disabled people.
“The restoration work means that they can be made available to people who are currently denied the opportunity to grow their own produce.”
The beds feature drinking water nearby and shelter for inclement weather.
Five mini-allotments are set to be developed for more able bodied people which will be alongside the disabled beds.
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