The Derrell Road allotment site currently has just one site rep, and needs two more to represent the interests of members on the site.

Anyone who would like to take up the posts, or find out more about what they involve, should contact Jenny Board at [email protected]

PAIGNTON could see the return of a vegetable show in 2012 thanks to Paignton Home Garden and Allotment Society and the society is preparing with an informative talk to be held at the start of the year.

The society used to hold annual events but has not done so for some time, and now hopes to bring the tradition back.

If there is enough interest and support the society is likely to hold the show on one of its sites in July.

And anyone who wants to know how to grow vegetables for show can find out in February.

Joe Wallis, the society's Vice President, has years of experience in vegetable shows and is working towards becoming a fully accredited judge.

He will give a detailed talk on how to grow vegetables to show standards.

The talk will be at the next open meeting of Paignton Home Garden and Allotment Society on Monday, February 6, at 7.30pm, at the RAOB Club in New Street, Paignton.

The next meeting of the Paignton Home Garden and Allotment Society committee will be on January 3, 2012.

The meeting will be held from 7.30pm in the RAOB club in New Street, Paignton.

The committee is to investigate bulk buying chicken manure pellets for the society.

Earlier this year the society bought a large number of bags and sold them on to members at close to cost.

Posters will go up at all three sites over the next month and anyone interested in buying a bag is asked to let their site reps know.

If there is sufficient interest the bags will be bought at a discount price after the February committee meeting.

Ahead of new legislation on the standards of welfare for battery hens, a number of chickens in Devon are now looking for new homes.

If the birds are not rehomed this month they will be sent to slaughter.

Details of where and when the birds can be collected for free are available on the society's forum, thanks to Christine Guiver.

Several plotholders on all three sites keep chickens.