Volunteers turn out to improve allotment site (From Dorset Echo)

Volunteers turn out to improve allotment site

9:34pm Wednesday 13th April 2011 in Community

• VOLUNTEERS from the allotment holders at Westham Crossroads Allotments worked hard to surface a second major trackway, fixing weed suppressant covers in place before tipping donated tarmac chippings onto this, raking it smooth and rolling it to create a level path and easier access.

Volunteers have also begun the hard work of clearing thick brambles and weeds from a neglected and overgrown corner of the allotments, preparing it to eventually become a wildlife corner and socialising area.

It is hoped that raised beds can be built in other spare corners of the allotments to encourage children and disabled people to have their own accessible areas to tend.

A huge amount has already been achieved since the formation of the Westham Crossroads Allotments Association less than a year ago, thanks to the dedicated hard work and vision of the committee and those who set the ball rolling in the first place.

• WYKE Weenies toddlers had great fun at their Easter Parties. 70 children created wonderful Easter bonnets with a little help from their mums and dads, made chocolate nests, hobby horses and Easter crafts and enjoyed a special treat in the form of a bouncy castle.

The Monday party was tinged with sadness as it was time to say goodbye to tea lady Angela who has been helping at the group for two years. Angela was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a token of appreciation, along with a thank you card signed by the parents. Angela will be missed very much.

Another sad goodbye is looming as Mel, who has been running Weenies for the past six years, will be stepping down as leader in July. With her youngest about to start school full time, Mel feels that although she has enjoyed running the group it is now time to try something different.

If anyone is interested in helping to run the Monday session, working alongside Sara who runs the Wednesday session, please contact Weenies as soon as possible. You can find them on Facebook or just pop along to one of their sessions when they return after the Easter holidays on Wednesday, April 27.

• A RESPECTED and well loved member of the West Westham community, Veronica Daniel, has been laid to rest deep in the Dorset countryside she loved so much, after finally succumbing to the emphysema against which she fought so bravely for so long. Amongst other things Veronica helped run Weymouth Breathe Easy, refusing to give in and sit around indoors feeling sorry for herself despite becoming increasingly frail and dependent on oxygen. Her story was featured in the Echo one National No Smoking day. Veronica was concerned other people should be made aware of the potential effect of smoking, a health issue she knew nothing about when she began many years ago and which she was convinced was a major factor in her frustrating decline from fighting fit to fighting for breath.

Her courage and her concern for others even when so disabled by illness herself were inspirational and she will be sadly missed.