Working with the Community
Our Constitutional objective is ‘to promote the preservation and conservation of the allotment site at Moss Row’ and promote the benefits of allotment gardening to the wider community.
Since becoming self-managed, the site has developed into a thriving community resource with 22 plots of varying sizes, wildlife area and pond, surrounded by an edible, wildlife friendly hedge.
Grants from ‘The Lottery Fund’ provided the site with boundary fencing, Township grants supported by local councillors gave the Society the means to plant hedging and develop the wildlife area and woodland.
The Society enjoy taking part in community events, welcoming annual visits by school groups, working with ‘The Green Volunteers’, planting native trees in the Moss Row woodland corridor. We have taken part in Township in Bloom 2015, 2016, 2017 top category of OUTSTANDING and THRIVING in 2018. We have hosted PETRUS People, Rochdale Photographic Society, Rochdale Artists and have forged an association with the local WI group. Events such as a Bat Night and several Open Days keep us from becoming a "closed gate community".
The Society is committed to the on-going development and improvement of the site and surrounding Moss Row corridor, and to maintain and protect the unique features of the area for the Norden Community.
Welcome to our Website
We are a small self-managed allotment society formed to develop and improve the allotments at Moss Row in the centre of Norden.
The site currently has 29 plots with many of them more manageable, half plots. The rental for a plot is set based on size of plot allocated - currently 40p/m2. ( 1/2 plots are now the norm approx 125m2)
We are always happy to make contact with anyone looking for an allotment and also welcome children's groups and other local groups or societies.
Not only is Allotmenteering a very popular activity, it keeps you fit, provides you with fruit and vegetables and helps preserve the local wildlife. You might even make some new friends. >>> FIND US
Data Protection 2018
General Data Protection Policy and Procedures (As adopted 23rd May 2018 at AGM)
The new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) were published in 2016 and in came into force on 25 May 2018. The legislation provides key changes that are addressed by MRCAS in this policies, privacy notice and consent form.
The National Allotment Society (NSALG) of which we are members, has provided guidance which MRCAS has used to formulate this policy.
Principles
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Personal data must be processes fairly and lawfully and in a transparent manner.
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Personal Information must be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate reasons.
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Personal data must be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary for the purpose.
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Personal data must be up to date and accurate.
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Personal data must not be kept longer than is necessary.
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Personal information must be processed in a manner which ensures security of the personal data against unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage.
Personal Data
It has been determined that only basic and NO Sensitive Personal Data is collected by MRCAS (as defined in the Regulations).
Data Protection Policy following the 5 whys principle:
Why - the purpose /reason for holding data
For communication and notification of important information related to the upkeep, security and management of the allotment. Via email or website.
For the collection of rent
To provide membership details to National Allotment Society in order to pay annual membership (Name Only) provided. NSALG have an internal policy for ensuring this information is kept private and not shared.
What – what data is being held
Name (Including that of any named person on the tenancy Agreement), Postal Address, Telephone Contact details (Land and Mobile), email address
Who - whose data do we hold
Plot holders and those on the Waiting List
Where - is the data held
With Committee Officials usually the Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer
Held electronically on a secure computer
Signed Tenancy/ Consent agreements - paper copies with current Secretary
When – for how long is the data held
Plot holders – as long as the member has a plot on Moss Row.
Waiting List – until the person on the waiting list confirms they no longer wish to be on the list or have been removed following a list review. Or they have failed to communicate their consent for holding information.
Procedures for Management of data
MRCAS Officials will ensure that:
Data will be safeguarded and not shared with 3rd parties other than email address to other plot holders, unless they have elected that they do not wish for email address to be shared in communications.
Members and Waiting list applicants continue to be informed of what is kept and why and for how long.
That data will be removed/destroyed when Members or Applicants leave or no longer wish to be listed.
Any data breaches or losses will be communicated promptly to the owners of the data.
Tenants:
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Plot becomes available when tenant leaves (records removed from lists by MRCAS)
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Plot offered and Tenancy/Consent signed and kept by MRCAS Officials
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New tenant information (as described) and details stored electronically and used as described
Waiting List:
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Enquiries received via the website (Secretary)
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Standard Response issue asking for personal details including consent for details to be held on an electronic list. (Information relating to length of time to wait is given which often prevents further interest in being on the list)
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Information passed to Chairman who adds person to Master List
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List reviewed periodically – failure to respond results in person being permanently removed from Master List
Security:
As the data kept by MRCAS by the Chairmen is none Sensitive (as defined) and it is felt that the level of security for electronic data kept is adequate for this level of data. That being, stored on a secure computer with up to date software, security and network protection.
NO INFORMATION is shared with ANY 3rd Parties, with the exception NSALG as part of our membership requirements (Names Only).