Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society

Welcome to the website of Topsham Allotments and Gardens Society (TAGS).

We celebrated our 50th anniversary as society in 2017 and today we are a thriving group of more than 250+ members who live mostly in Topsham or the surrounding area.

Our common interest is in gardens and gardening. While most members have gardens of all sizes or allotments or, indeed, both, membership is open to all with this interest.  So, if you share this love of growing things, have a look at the benefits of TAGS Membership by clicking on the button below.

TOPSHAM STATION.

TAGS has  recently been accepted to join GWR’s Adopt a Station Scheme for platform 1 on Topsham Station, and our committee has agreed to take part. We already look after the small garden and topiary on the down platform, and joining this scheme would give us the opportunity to plant up the two new barrels. We could also add new barrels, small boats, and raised planters, to make the platform a floral sensation.

TAGS’s  Constitution includes “Encouraging the improvement of the natural environment within the local community” and in my view, the successful completion of this project would be an excellent way to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of TAGS in March 2027.

We would need to have a “Topsham Station Team” to liaise with GWR to set up and implement the plan, and subsequent maintenance. The project would then have to be fully costed and presented to GWR for them to agree to provide the money. The setting up of the new Social Area in just four months, shows what a good team can do.

Do you wish to take part, maybe you now only have a small garden and would like to grow more flowers? If so, request to become a TAGS member, by emailing membershiptags@gmail.com. Annual subscription is £4. Two people at the same address £6. You don’t have to have a garden to be a member of TAGS, just a love of gardens. Have a look at the benefits at www.topshamags.co.uk/membership/

Freddie Bush: President

Autospade for Members.

Bryan Stephenson, who many of you know, has very kindly donated his Autospade to TAGS for the use of all members and allotment holders in Topsham and Countess Weir.

The spade was designed to reduce effort and fatigue in one of gardening’s most arduous tasks. You can dig your garden in about half the time that it takes with a normal spade, and without bending and lifting the spade or the soil. There are full instructions with it that do need to be followed carefully and returned with the spade after use.

The Spade is stored in the Butts Park Trading Hut and can be obtained on Saturdays and Sundays between 10.30 and 11.30.  It is really important that you sign the ‘Borrowing Book’ with name, date and contact details. Please return immediately after use and in the condition you found it. Note that you do need to release the two arms of the small coil spring after use. I suggest you use heavy gloves to depress the spring to fit under the arms of the large Bowspring from the outside before use. See Figure 2 in the instruction sheet.

Ralph Hare

Site Manager - Butts Park East