word on the grapevine is…
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
The latest issue of KATA’s News flash will help keep you up to date.
fancy a date?
get your copy of the 2025 kata calendar
Celebrate the date and get organised with the KATA calendar, produced using entries into this year’s photographic competition. All the lovely pictures were taken by lovely plotholders. Get a copy by buying online and it’ll magically appear at your Kenilworth address
totally wild!
See the latest findings of self-taught, amateur entomologist Sabina George during her frequent forays into our allotment sites…
A grand end to the year at the KATA 2023 presentation evening
Another allotment year grown and done, all polished off (just like the trophies thanks to Sheila’s skirt) with a cracking presentation evening. Old and new (Chairmen, plot holders, competitions) revelled in the spotlights as Town Mayor Alex Dearing graciously presented the awards. The kids weren’t shy about claiming their rightful trophies either - well, perhaps one or two were - but they didn’t half look proud of their achievements. Thanks to the team (Paula, Trudy, Sheila, Ann and Lily) for making sure everything went so swimmingly well. The end.
wanted for probable theft
Gregor set up a camera on his mum’s plot at 25 OD a couple of weeks ago after their sweetcorn mysteriously began to disappear over the last month, the culprit evading protective fencing they’d erected. Be on the lookout for a distinctively striped individual with a full belly…
summer bbq 16 deg C shock!
THANK YOU to Pete and Trudy for organising this year’s KATA summertime barbeque. Brave souls braved a slightly dodgy weather forecast and luckily their optimism shone, even if the sun was a bit reluctant at times… Profit made will be sent to the charity Medics for Medics. Thank you to all those people who came, baked apple cake and helped tidy up at the end of the day, smashing.
winners galore!
See the results from this year’s plot and scarecrow competitions.
Were you a winner..?
For clarity, the scarewcrow is second from the left…
The KATA Committee would like to thank Beehive Hill plotholder Madeleine for her efforts to fly the KATA flag over the last ten years. Madeleine has steered a band of volunteers to promote the allotments in a good light as part of the National Gardens Scheme Kenilworth Open Gardens. Not only that but she’s attended all the NGS meetings and wotnot necessary to make the event go smoothly, much to the benefit of our association and the people that have visited the site on the day itself. Madeleine didn’t want a fuss making, but the Committee is really grateful for all the work she has put into making these days such a memorable success all round. THANK YOU!
2b or not 2b..?
Spring Lane plotholder (and beekeeper) Steve got buzzing and collected a swarm of bees that had made a temporary home in a Bramley apple tree on plot 25 OD. It was in an awkard position but with a bit of persuasion the queen and her retinue were eventually coaxed into a box, before Steve took them to a nice new home at one of his apiary sites. Thanks Steve! When bees swarm it is the old queen that leaves the nest with enough workers to start a new colony, the young new queen remains behind in the old hive to get a head start on things. If you find a swarm please use the postcode checker on the British Bee Keepers’ Association website to find the right person to help with collecting it safely. And yes, Steve’s plot number at Spring Lane really is 2B!!!
new noticeboard
A new community noticeboard funded by the Town Council has been installed by KATA near to the Manor Road entrancec. One side is locked for Town Council use and the other is for use by the community to promote local events. Posters should be no bigger than A5.
Odibourne plotholder
John DeAring
Leading with the Queen’s Baton as it recently hurtled through Kenilworth. Don’t think he managed to do a lap of his plot with it though…
Beehive hill open their gardens
national garden scheme
Plotholders at the Beehive Hill site were gracious enough to allow folk supporting this year’s National Garden Scheme to poke around their allotments on Sunday the 19th June. Indeed, one cheeky attendee was observed making off with several strawberries (all with the plotholder’s permission I should add). A good turnout on a chilly afternoon rewarded the efforts of Madeleine, David and their band of happy helpers.
Platinum Plot Party
Queen pulls in punters as well as pints
Folk turned out in droves to celebrate the Jubilee weekend and had a smashing time nibbling, quaffing and mingling.
Thanks to Paula, Trudy, Pete and all the other folk that helped bring everyone together on a lovely afternoon.
Liquid refreshment thanks to Ted from The Engine…with a little help from Her Maj…
Second Finham crossing completed!
A plethora of volunteers turned out to complete the crossing or the river - connecting the Close and Lower Ladyes Hills sides at the Manor Road end of Odibourne. It should save a few food miles and a fair bit of shoe leather…
Got something you think folk would like to know about? Something to sell, like a greenhouse, shed or used spaceship?
Contact Nick and he’ll see how he can help you.
