Meopham and District
Allotment Association

12th August Solar Eclipse Update

Clear skies are forecast for Wednesday evening from 6pm onwards.

Due to implied threats from the Parish Clerk, the plot holders of 12A, one of the two prime observing stations for the solar eclipse, have announced that they don’t want observers on their plot while noting that contiguous walkways will be good vantage points. Members, their immediate families and friends can roam in a respecful manner over the allotment array using the walkways.

First Contact (when the Moon starts to cross the solar disc) is at 6:17pm. Maximum eclipse is at 7:13pm and Last Contact is at 8:06pm. Maximum obscuration of the Sun by the Moon is 92.4%.

Rodney has acquired additional pairs of ISO 12312-2:2025 eclipse glasses, which must be worn at all times when looking at the Sun. Eclipse glasses will be available, along with a safety notice and instructions,from the bench in the central car park from 6pm.

A demonstration of 'Collander Astronomy' is expected at maximum eclipse.

Clear Skies!

MDAA Committee

The EGM: next steps

Many thanks to all those who attended the EGM and voted unanimously (with one abstention) in empowering the Committee to halt the wilful destruction of our allotment gardening futures by Meopham Parish Council.

Water usage

Members will be aware of local restrictions on the use of hosepipes in domestic settings. Our water supplier is Everflow and, at the the moment, no formal constraints are placed on water use by MDAA members. Naturally, we expect members to continue using water responsibly, perhaps using our 'Soil Moisture Forecast' tool.

A Guide is available below.

What is a solar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is a natural event where the Moon passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, blocking the Sun's light and casting a shadow on our home planet. Full alignments are rare for any particular location. The next nearly-total one, observable from Meopham, is in 2081.

Plot of the Month: Outstanding Summer Harvest at Plot 17C

A masterclass in companion planting! This month we celebrate the work of Ian and Rita Cook on 17C. By positioning marigolds alongside their tomatoes and utilizing classic organic crop rotation, they have managed to fend off aphids entirely while producing an enviable yield of broad beans and prize-winning courgettes.