September 2013
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Letters and Opinions
Almondsbury Allotment News
any efficiency or urgency is when it comes to demanding their illdeserved council tax. Woodlands Park resident
By Oakleigh Wood (Groundsman) Cotton wool clouds drift by on a carpet of blue, white butterflies trade places with iridescent dragonflies, all seems at peace with the world. To arrive at this point in time, the allotmenteers at Hortham Farm have toiled long and hard. Beneath the veneer of smiles, a relentless battle against weeds, pigeons and microscopic pests struggles on. Pigeons alone have triggered various inventions to save cabbage leaves, a few allotments sit between Dad’s Army and SOS DIY. Positive chatter fills the air, the bounty is in sight, the warmth of the sun has accelerated the produce, growth spurts are causing things to jump from the ground. Hard work is about to be rewarded. As a nation we love the sun, it shines, we smile... but the allotmenteer is a canny creature, and grins large when the dry spell is broken by a torrid downpour
Headline considered “over-exaggerated”
personal experiences. I would suggest maybe a more measured style of reporting as I think that this exaggerated style of headline may in itself induce panic. Tony Flintoff Bradley Stoke
I was astonished to see the headline in your August issue (‘Unexplained death at duck pond sends community into panic’). Whilst any unexplained death is both sad and shocking, I believe that your editorial has over-exaggerated the situation regarding the feeling of residents in the town. I have spoken to many friends who live in the town about this death and, whilst some have expressed concern about it, there has been absolutely no indication that any branch of the community is ‘in panic’ as your article suggests. Maybe your reporter has been talking to different sections of the community compared to my
The Editor writes: The ‘panic’ referred to in the headline is a reference to how people were responding on social media channels (for example on The Journal’s Facebook page and on Twitter in general) as the news of the incident broke on 2nd July. It is not a description of the current situation. So, yes, it’s probably true to say that we have “talked” (or listened) to other sections of the community While the headline in itself could be considered sensationalist, I cannot imagine that anyone reading the article in full, particularly the concluding statement by Inspector Evely, would be induced to panic.
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- the rain signals a well earned rest in front of the telly, no need to dash to the allotment to water the veg! A wide array of fruit and vegetables are in production, I spy potatoes and strawberries to fennel and asparagus. In a similar way the people tending Almondsbury Allotments are an eclectic mix, their background, age and cultures producing a micro climate, almost a global village within 32 plots. Whilst diversity brings different processes, methods and thinking, there is a very strong similarity to everyone I meet, a smiling face and a willingness to harness nature, seeking the reward of natural food. If you are ever passing, please stop by and have a walk between the allotments. We hope you will feel energised by the plants and sense of community. Allotments available at Horthham Farm: www. HorthamFarm.co.uk
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