The OATS Forum :
Information, help and gossip.
OATS News :
Gardening-Naturally
21/05/24
Supporting OATS members for another year.
OATS members please login to Supporters area to see offer and discount code.
St Richard's Church
02/04/24
OATS would like to extend a big thank you to St Richard's Church for their support in providing us with a function hall for our AGM.
St Richard's are a smaller family-friendly church made up of people from different walks of life, ages and stages.
Please check out their various Services and comminity events.
Birch Tree Project
11/02/24
Saturday 24th February 11am - 2:30pm
Owlsbury Allotments Car Park
Rehome a 3-6ft bare rooted birch tree.
Suggested donation £5-£10 depending on size.
First come first served.
Seed Swap
19/01/24
Mayfield Horticulture Society have extended an invite to their Seed Swap event in early February, and are keen to spread the word to all allotmenteers and growers across our beautiful High Weald. Entry is free, as are the seeds, though a small donation would be welcome as it helps cover the costs. Open to everyone.
Mushroom Compost & Manure
18/08/23
Please note that we have now closed the order book for pre-ordering Mushroom Compost & Cow Manure.
Delivery of Cow Manure is currently scheduled for Thursday 31st August.
Delivery of Mushroom Compost is currently scheduled for Friday 1st September.
As per previous years, any surplus of either will be made available to OATS members, after all pre-orders have been collected.
Don’t forget our ‘Muckfest’ BBQ is on Saturday 2nd September.
We expect food to be availble from around 1pm.
Collect your muck, and then come and join us!
Warning - Snakes
13/06/23
You may find Adders and Grass snakes basking in the grass or sheltering in compost bins and coverings.
These are legally protected species.
PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB
Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by an Adder.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
24/12/22
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas from everyone at OATS.
Planning next years crops?
21/11/22
Don't forget, OATS members get massive 50% discount off seeds, and 15% off plants, tools, etc. Order online and use our discount code at checkout. Hard copy catalogues and order forms availbale if required.
Fly Tipping
12/10/22
We are continuing to experience episodes of 'fly tipping' on our compost area. Please remember it is ONLY GREEN WASTE FROM YOUR PLOTS that is permitted here. It is NOT other members, and committee members, responsibility to clear up other tenant's rubbish. We are sincerely hoping OATS members are not the culprit(s). If you have any info regarding this, or can advise others the error of their ways, that would be much appreciated.
If this continues, we genuinely risk the chance of Crowborough Town Council removing the compost area facility from our site, and it will then be down to all tenants to remove and dispose of their own green waste. None of us wants that to happen!
Mushroom Compost
11/09/22
The mushroom compost has been delivered today.
Reserved for OATS members who have pre-ordered AND paid.
Farmyard manure will be available on 1st October.
BBQ will also be on 1st October.
If you would like a break from barrowing, for free food and refreshment at around 1pm, please order your food requirement via our website.
Urgent Update
06/09/22
Mushroom compost is being delivered on Monday 12th September.
This is reserved for OATS members who have pre-ordered AND paid.
Farmyard manure will be available on Saturday the 1st October, along with the BBQ.
Those who would like a break plus food and refreshment on the 1st October around 1pm, please do let us know by placing your food order via our website.
Thank You.
Plot Theft
30/08/22
We have been advised of another theft/vandalism on site. An apple tree has been dug up and stolen from plot 114.
The tenant of this plot has been away for a month, so if another plot holder has wrongfully assumed the plot abandoned, please return the tree.
Please be vigilant, and report any suspicious behaviour.
Closed again!!
24/08/22
Hadlow Down Road junction with Western Road is closed AGAIN.
Apparently will re-open 1st September.
The road is open!
23/08/22
We are reliably informed that Hadlow Down Road is finally now open again at the junction with Western Road.
Member Emails
24/07/22
Just a reminder to members to check your junk email folders for order/payment acknowledgements. Thank You.
OATS Membership
23/07/22
Any members that have not renewed memberships, or renewed but still not paid, can you please do so urgently.
Particularly if you have, or want to, place manure and compost orders.
Thank you.
Water Leak
14/07/22
It appears that the water leak on site is a CTC issue to resolve.
Vandalism
14/07/22
It appears we had vandalism on the site last weekend. One tenant had their fruit and brassica cages throw about, one had carrots dug up, plus a free running dog/dogs which left poo on at least two plots.
CTC are taking action to make the main gate lock secure so that it cannot be opened manually from outside without the code.
Perimeter Fencing
14/07/22
Crowborough Town Council are taking action with Richardson Fencing who are refusing to return and complete the removal of the of fencing and complete the side gate.
Sussex Country Gardener
10/05/22
A big thank you to the 'Sussex Country Gardener' garden centre for their support of our community field shelter project.
Please check them out for all your allotment and garden needs ... and more!
Laurel Tree Fruit Farm
02/05/22
Laurel Tree Fruit Farm has kindly donated to our community field shelter project. Check out their excellent fresh local produce. Buy local, support the local economy and help the environment.
Owlsbury Site Compost Area
20/04/22
GREEN COMPOSTABLE WASTE ONLY.
NO PLASTIC, NETTING, BAGS, PLANT TRAYS, POTS, FOOD CONTAINERS, BOTTLES, CARPET, METAL, WOOD PALLETS.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME.
Thank you.
Notice to all Owlsbury Allotment Tenants
31/03/22
Don't just be an allotment tenant, join the Owlsbury Allotments Tenants Society community. Benefit from various online and local discounts, free public liability insurance, subsidised manure and mushroom compost, and social events.
Polytunnels
09/12/21
After a recent site visit, Crowborough Town Council have expressed their concern over the erection of polytunnels on our site by some tenants. These are unfortunately forbidden in the tenancy agreements. Tenancy descriptions are vague, so we are requesting clarification of what dimensions constitute a 'polytunnel' as apposed to a 'large cloche'. Until this is formally confirmed, we recommend members refrain from any further installations, or associated works and purchases. Thanks.