Allotments 4 All

Allotment Stuff => Locations and Sites => Topic started by: Aylana on January 17, 2006, 20:28:03

Title: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Aylana on January 17, 2006, 20:28:03
Hello, I just wondered if there are any allotment holders up here in the good old North East?  I'm in Newcastle and I don't have an allotment yet, I am about to start the process of ringing up places near to me and being told that there are 50 year waiting lists!  Anyway, Hi to any locals!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: lonegroover on January 18, 2006, 04:00:33
Hello Aylana - I got an allotment in North Tyneside last year after two years on the waiting list - with the locals warning me all summer that I was wasting my time as the plot floods in winter ! Sure enough, they were spot on.  After my efforts to improve the drainage failed miserably and it flooded before the winter even got started I was offered another which means I'm starting over again (all that digging !).
It's great fun though - good luck  - hopefully you won't need to wait too long (50 years is a bit much !)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: growmore on January 18, 2006, 09:32:34
There are some of the best Gardeners You will find, living in the North East.
Especially The Big onion Growers and Leek growers...
Some good pigeon flyers up their too.
Allotments were a tradition most kidswere brought up with them .
Same here in South Yorks.. In the past  they may have been an economic issue . Mining communities are big on allotments .Maybe they were a good place for fresh air etc after being cooped up in the pits... cheers..Jim
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on January 18, 2006, 10:42:02
Hello Aylana and lonegroover.  I am in Whitley Bay and have had an allotment for almost three years now.  I find it hard to believe getting an allotment in the North East  would take 50 years Aylana, surely someone is having a joke.  There are lots of Sites in Newcastle and the surrounding area and although you might have to be on a short list, I feel sure it wouldn't be that long before you got one on one of the Sites.  Have you  logged into the web site for Newcastle Allotments?  There is some info on there about the various sites and who to get in touch with.  We have had problems with flooding on our plot too lonegroover as we are at the bottom of a sloping alley, but there are things you can do to help  improve that. Which Site are you on? Anyway you must keep in touch, Geordies must stick together.  :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Debs on February 23, 2006, 20:36:07
Hi Aylana,

Like busy lizzie, I too am in Whitley Bay. I've had my plot for 2 years

now and absolutely love it.

For me it is a place to relax in, albeit there is some hard work involved ;)

but I wouldn't be without it.

The satisfaction of growing veg/fruit, and knowing it is fresh and without

chemicals is so rewarding, especially if you like to cook and eat as we do!!

Hope it's not too long before you get a plot

Debs  :)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Busby on February 28, 2006, 12:47:47
This is my first contribution to allotments 4 all forum. I'm joining it here because it was in Newcastle (I'm a Geordie too) that I really started my life as a keen allotment holder off. At the back of Walker Road, just near where it meets Allendale Road, there were, maybe still are lots of allotments stretching all the way down to the Tyne. When I was a boy in N. during the war years we always bought vegetables from a Mr Iseli who had the allotment just facing us across the back lane. He was a Swiss who had married an English girl. Later as a young man I married a Swiss girl and now live in Switzerland where I have a large allotment with plenty of room for everything. I've had it now for 36 years and I still love it.
Strangely enough it was Mr Iseli  who told me so many stories about Switzerland and I often still think of him. I was back in N. about 15 years ago and went to look at the allotments - I was dissapointed about the condition they were in. I cannot understand that they are so difficult to get - but maybe things have changed again since then.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Heldi on February 28, 2006, 21:38:47
Well hello there!

I'm in Amble but I grew up in Newcastle.

Now I have a plot which I took on a year ago. Spent most of it clearing rubbish,no scratch that,spent all of it clearing rubbish.

Have 14 chickens and some broad beans  :D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 01, 2006, 00:21:00
Hi Busby,  My OH, Mike was very interested to read your post because he was born and bred in Byker and was brought up in Harbottle Street at the bottom of Raby street and in fact we started off our married life there. He knows which allotments you mean as they weren't very far from where he lived. He hasn't been down that area for a few years but he visits his sister who still lives in Byker, so he says he will take a walk down there when he next visits, so he can tell you if they still exist.  There has been an awful lot of redevelopment in Byker and a lot of new housing so perhaps the shift in the population mean't they weren't  taken up then.  How different Switzerland must  be to living in Newcastle.  It is great that you have so much space to grow your veggies now.  Will get back to you  - perhaps we can even take a pic of the area so you can see it.  :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Busby on March 01, 2006, 11:52:00
Thanks for your reply busy-lizzie: It's quite fascinating to have contact in some way with those long, gone days. I'd love to see what the area looks like now. I know Harbottle Street, too. For a short time I went to the school just near there. Bowlem Street I think it was called.  My school life I started out at St. Peter's which was just at the foot of Raby Street. The school has gone now but it was a
lovely old building. Maybe your Mike knows that there were gasometers at the foot of Raby street, on the otherside of Walker Road actually - in about 1945 a tram came out of control down Raby Street and came of the rails, went through the fence and into a gasometer. 14 people were killed. I bet Mike doesn't know that!
The allotments I am talking about were directly behind 876 Walker Road, where I lived as a lad, in winter when there was a lot of snow we built sledges out of old orange boxes and went down the paths between the allotments.

My allotment here is in a lovely place. On a fine day I can see the snow covered Alps stretching from Austria almost down to the French border. Not many people have such a view!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 01, 2006, 15:53:36
Hi Busby,  Isn't it a small world?  Mike went to St Peter's School too, but passed the 11 plus and went on to Heaton Grammar School.  He knows exactly where the allotments were located.  He didn't know about the tram accident which was a bit before his time  ;D .  Your allotment sounds wonderful and what amazing views.  Will try to go soon to Byker and take some photos. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Heldi on March 02, 2006, 11:04:03
Busy...I went to Heaton Comprehensive as is was known when I went,same school as Mike but a bit later.(Trying not to be cheeky!)  It joined with Manor Park School during the last two years I was there and became Heaton Manor. Manor Park school has now been knocked down and has houses built on the land. Has Mike seen Heaton School recently? The old buildings have completely gone and it is now a very high tech modern,steel and glass affair. Probably called a college or some such now.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 02, 2006, 13:31:04
Hi Heldi, Yes Mike has seen it and it doesn't resemble the school he remembers at all.  It was a lovely building and a great school and very posh in those days (1960's),especially for a Byker lad . All the Masters wore gowns and had double barrelled names.  I have copied the below for you to see, but it is quite worn so hope it comes out okay. Won't tell you where Mike is as he would be very embarrassed.   ;D busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: legless on March 02, 2006, 14:07:45
have you spoken to the newcastle allotment officer? a friend of mine got a plot as soon as he asked this summer, one of the ones near the town moor..

i'm near whitley bay, don't have a plot at the moment but i used to be a few plots away from Debs.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Heldi on March 02, 2006, 14:17:42
My God! Mr Askew was head when I was in first year!  Yikes! S'pose it was only 1979 when I started there.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Aylana on March 02, 2006, 19:28:42
Hello all!  You know I had completely forgotten that I had started this topic, I have just stumbled back across it now!  :-[

I have an allotment now, its near Fenham area.  It has been neglected for a long time but I am working hard and making slow progress!

I have to say I'm a bit unsure as to when to plant things as all the times mentioned seem to be more for people further south.  I am itching to get some early potatoes in but don't want to jump the gun, especially given that it has been snowing a bit today!  Will Spring ever arrive?!  ::)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Heldi on March 02, 2006, 21:56:53
I'm itching to get some things on the go too but we'll have to hang fire for a bit yet I think.  The ground was frozen solid this morning and then turned to mush this afternoon  :(    I've got digging to do!!!!!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 02, 2006, 22:41:24
I am itching to make a start too Aylana, but it is way too early I think for some things up here yet, though garlic and shallots can go in in March.   Are your potatoes chitting at the moment?  We usually put ours in during the Easter weekend.  There are a variety of seeds you could be starting off now  though while you are waiting for the thaw.  :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on March 13, 2006, 19:36:59
Hi all - I'm a complete newbie - was only told about this forum today by another poster.

I've been trying to get an allotment on a site a few streets away from me, but they're privately owned by a large building company, and rumour has it they're not re-letting vacant ones because they'd like to build there.   ::) I live in Whickham.

In the meantime, while I chivvy up the letting agent, a nice friend has let me take over about a third of his, because it's got a bit much for him.  So my husband and I (no, my name's not Elizabeth  ;) ) are digging that over.

It's a long time since I did any of this veg growing lark, and I'm really looking forward to it.  We even went and bought a Focus greenhouse the other day.  Watch this space for many newbie gardener mistakes and disappointments.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 13, 2006, 19:54:11
Good Luck with your share of an allotment Denbee. A friend of mine lives in Whickham too and shares an allotment with one of the old timers who actually owns his, not far from where she lives in Broadpool Green.  They all seem to be personally owned by the allotmenteers at her site and have no committee structure as such, to help run them.  I am sure you will get the hang of it, and there is plenty of help here for anything you would like to brush up on.  :) busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Heldi on March 13, 2006, 22:29:36
Hi Denbee!

I know Whickham. My brother was born there. Lampton Avenue is where my family lived...long before I was born! Nearly moved there a few years back but instead I came to live by the sea.

Lots of luck with your allotment !

H x
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on March 14, 2006, 07:54:37
Thanks for the welcome.  My 'allotment' of an allotment is in one of the ones near the Glebe sports ground.  They're pretty well hidden, actually, and a lot of folk don't even realise they are there - right in the middle of all the housing.  I'm definitely going to chase up the letting agents for a whole one though, because having sat and trawled through this forum last night, and seen some of the amazing photos and read about what people grow, our third of a allotment isn't going to be nearly big enough.  I can probably fill the four or five beds we have been preparing there with the seeds I have sown already - currently sitting in trays in my conservatory.

Potatoes - we haven't bought them yet.  To chit or not to chit, that is the question?  :)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Trixiebelle on March 14, 2006, 14:11:59
WOOOHOOOOOOOO  ;D

Welcome Denbee  ;D (She's my mate ya know ... and I'm proud to call her that!)

Trixie X
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on March 14, 2006, 18:06:12
And here was me going to preserve her reputation by letting her pretend she didn't know me.  ;D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: reedos on March 14, 2006, 21:09:06
Hi Heldi - I lived on Duckpool Lane, probably delivered your "Advertiser" on a Thursday.

Hi DenBee, I think there used to be some on Lambton Avenue - not been to Whickham for a while but if you don't get one by the Glebe you could try there
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Aylana on March 14, 2006, 21:37:59
Hi Denbee!! Good luck with your allotment!  I'm sure you will get a full sized one soon. 

Yes Busy Lizzie my potatoes are chitting away although they seem to have slowed down a bit now.  I have consoled myself by planting some basil and peas for pea tips on a windowsill.  Might start off some other seeds at the weekend.

I can't wait for this snow and coldness to ease up, I've still got loads of digging to do!!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Heldi on March 14, 2006, 22:43:59
Hi reedos.

Nah it wouldn't have been mine...Lampton Ave was before my time. Early 60's whereas I'm circa late 60's hahaha! I have been taken on a tour of where my parents used to live many a time when too young to escape.    ::)  :D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: reedos on March 15, 2006, 19:10:19
Wouldn't have delivered their paper either then, before my time as a paper boy as well ;D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on March 15, 2006, 19:49:49
Evening Reedos.  I've renewed my application to the site management company today.  If I don't hear in a week I'll ring them up.  I know that there are vacant (or at least unworked) plots on the allotments.  It's not an open plan site - all the plots have high hedges around them - but when you walk around you can see through the hedges at this time of year, and spot the ones that haven't been dug for quite a while.

Actually I'm on a bit of a crusade now, but trying to make it a tactful one.  If it is true that they are running down the tenancies in order to get the land vacant to build on, I'm more than a bit anti that idea.  But I don't want to rock the boat - as my husband pointed out, if we were to involve the local council (my original idea), they might support the builder, and it might hasten the end of the allotments.  So I will just persist in politely asking till I get a proper response.  And after all, it might just be an unfounded rumour.

There are still allotments on Lambton Avenue.  Definitely the place to grown alpines.  ;D  And a lovely view of the cemetery.  Actually, on driving past (which we do regularly), there seem to be some serious 'show' growers on that site - particularly in the chrysanth/dahlia fields.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: reedos on March 16, 2006, 23:06:02
My dad had one there nearest the wall next to the road. Can't remember him bringing owt back to eat though and if he did it'll just have been spring cabbage (ugh!)
Are the ones you're after at the top end of the cricket pitch behind the big house on Whaggs Lane? Used to walk through them to get to the little park next to the comp to hang out in my teenage days.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on March 16, 2006, 23:29:57
Those are the ones.  Less than 5 minutes walk from my front door - I live in one of the bungalows off Fellside Road.  I didn't realise till recently that the allotments were still owned by the builder who built most of the modern houses round here (no names, no pack drill  ;) ).  I looked them up on the Multimap aerial photo wotsit, and there's quite a bit of land there.  And they are excellent allotments - apart from having no running water.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Money_Bunny on May 18, 2006, 10:08:56
I lived in Whickham and then Sunniside for about 25 years then moved up to Stanley, where we are now.

Have some fond memories of living in Whickham. Nice place.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: the wizards sleeve on June 25, 2006, 14:07:19
i,m at newcastle road allotments  in sunderland have been here for 1 year so far and have 2 plots things are looking good know but it has been hard work to get them cleaned up but if any one is after a plot on this site there are plots vacant but need a lot of work doing
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on February 22, 2007, 08:59:46
Yay, yay, and once again yay!  ;D

I finally got a lottie.  The managing agent rang to say that Number 19 was available, if we wanted it.  I walked around, and he'd obviously taken on board what I'd said when I had to reject the last one (hidden away in a very scary place down a narrow lane, with shared access), and he's offered me one with the entrance gate right on the adjacent residential street.

It's got a big shed, and a large timber greenhouse.  The shed looks as if it needs the roof refelting.  And the greenhouse is glazed at the sides, but not on the roof.  Though as eldest daughter pointed out, it does mean we don't have to worry about watering the plants.   :P

Hasn't been worked for at least a couple of years, but it's got definite potential.  Waiting to get confirmation that we've got the right to access it now.  I really hope the previous tenant has given them the padlock keys, but I have a feeling it's going to be a burglary job to get in.  ::)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Trixiebelle on February 22, 2007, 09:40:30
Mornin' Den  ;D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on February 22, 2007, 09:42:31
Mornin' Trix.  Fancy a trip up to Geordie country with your jemmy?  ;D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Trixiebelle on February 22, 2007, 09:51:31
What on earth is a jemmy?
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on February 22, 2007, 09:55:06
Can see you've never been picked up by the police on a dark night and charged with "going equipped for burglary".   :o

A jemmy is a crowbar.  A very useful piece of kit.  We actually have one, but it was only for OH to use in prying off skirting boards, honest guv!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Trixiebelle on February 22, 2007, 09:57:07
Oh a CROWBAR!! I've got 4  ;D Boltcroppers are better .. I have a pair ... obviously  ;D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Squashmad on February 22, 2007, 13:41:03
Hi Everybody,

I'm  in Haydon Bridge (near Hexham). Dont have a crowbar - as far as I'm aware!!  ;D
Carole
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Gillysdad on February 23, 2007, 18:15:31
I thought jemmy's were given as a christening present in Byker, I got one ! :D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: sheddie on February 24, 2007, 22:12:47
Hi All,

I am newbie! - just wondering if anyone could help - I've put in an application for 3 allotment sites in Whickham & Swalwell but have been unable to get any kind of idea about how long the waiting lists are - I did ask the council how long the average wait is, but just got an e-mail back explaining that plots are given to the next person on the list (thanks for explaining the process of a queue then! - very helpful - sorry for the sarcasm!) - anyhow the 3 plots in question are the ones on Lambton Ave and the 2 sites in Swalwell - Hurrocks by the 'shakey bridge' and New Sands by the salt heaps - does anyone have an idea if there are any vacant plots or what the waiting times are likely to be?

thanks in anticipation! ;D
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Gillysdad on February 25, 2007, 16:33:30
Have you been to any of the sites for a look around ? I'm sure gardeners already their will put you in the picture. As you will find out from Allotments4all we lottie gardeners are quite a friendly bunch. Good hunting. ;)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: sheddie on February 25, 2007, 18:45:07
Hi there,

Thanks for the reply and the tip - I was thinking of doing that, but the plots on two of the sites seem fairly well enclosed by hedges - I wasn't really sure if it was the done thing so to speak, to maybe just wander up and knock on someone's gate? - I think I might have to have a wander there and hope to catch someone coming in or out!

The council don't seem to know much so far (but the person responsible for allotments is off at the moment to be fair), so I'm not even sure if the council hold the waiting lists or whether it is run by an allotment committee. If it is an allotment committee - could anyone advise whether should I concentrate on trying to get hold of them directly rather than doing it through the council? - do the council normally keep details of the waiting lists even if they are run by an allotment committee?

thanks again
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: DenBee on February 26, 2007, 13:19:52
Afternoon Sheddie.  As you may have read a few posts up, I've just got a plot in that area, but it's on the privately owned site behind the Glebe.  I didn't go to the council, because I wanted a lottie within walking distance of my house - I know what I'm like, and if it had been too far away, then I wouldn't have gone as often as needed.

We did manage to get our foot in the door first by sharing with another allotment holder, who couldn't manage his on his own.  So I would strongly recommend seeing if you can get hold of people on the sites to ask.  It's amazing how much folks know about each other's business sometimes.  ;)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Clairylou on February 27, 2007, 07:44:47
Hi Sheddie

My plot is in Burnopfield not too far from Whickham and there seems to be a couple of empty plots there.  If you are interested i think the Shed (Place where old guys in the know are) is open on Friday Saturday and Sunday ten till twelve.

Claire

Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: sheddie on February 27, 2007, 22:21:31
Hi Claire,

Wow - thanks for that! - are your plots private or do you know which council they would be covered by? - there aren't any plots for Burnopfield on Gateshead Council's list you see - so if they come under a different borough, I'm not sure if it'd be possible? (if they would allow it I mean?)

thanks again - they're not too far of a drive away!

thanks.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Clairylou on February 28, 2007, 07:44:25
Morning,

Thay are owend by derwentside council as far as i am aware but there are a couple men who seem to be in charge of day to day running and they reckoned when i first paid my rent it was cheaper to go through them than direct with the council so thats what i did.  The plots are on syke road by the way.

Claire
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on June 06, 2008, 15:26:12
Have had my name on the waiting list for an allotment in Wallsend for 12 months now and am apparently number 37 out of 87.  Having been in touch with the council recently i ascertained that there was 1 person on the list from 2005, 10 from 2006 and the rest from 2007 onwards.  This however isn't a good guide as those people offered a plot aren't removed from the top of the list  and placed at the bottom should they refuse a plot (so number 1 person could keep refusing a plot until that prime one becomes available and still get first shout at it :().

On the site i have applied for there are apparently 121 plots, 17 of which are "supposed" to be available and 3 which have just been served with tidy notices.  I'm having a right battle with the department responsible for them as they have declared some of the plots "unlettable" and seem to be dodging my emails asking what is going to be done to rectify this situation.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: busy_lizzie on June 07, 2008, 13:21:49
Hi Rixy, That is just not good enough is it? Have you been in touch with the allotments officer for North Tyneside who in my experience he is usually on the ball? Think you should continue to chivvy people if there are some available but you can't get one just because of inefficiency. At our site in Whitley Bay, you only have the choice of three and if you don't like them and refuse them you go to the bottom of the list again. Have you walked around the sites and spoken to people on there, as usually you get uptodate news from nearby plotholders. Keep at it, and let us know how you get on.   busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on June 07, 2008, 23:37:17
who in my experience he is usually on the ball?
Not in this case apparently, he's the one not answering emails :D, might have to resend them again but this tile cc them to "his" boss also.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: brian d on June 24, 2008, 23:27:31
Have you heard anything back yet Rixy?

I have emailed ones with an email address in the area but none have contacted back

Have you just contacted the council or individual allotment sites?
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on June 25, 2008, 00:45:57
Have you heard anything back yet Rixy?

I have emailed ones with an email address in the area but none have contacted back

Have you just contacted the council or individual allotment sites?
I've had a couple of replies, neither of them productive in m case but in the overall scheme of things......?

Apparently on the site that i want a plot there is a waiting list of some 80+ of which I am No37.  Although there are indeed vacant plots on the site, the dept concerned deems these as unlettable.  When questioned as to any actions they are taking to rectify this situation I was informed that there was no money in the budget for their renovation but hopefully their will be funds available this coming October. 

Conspiracy theorists may wonder whether this is just stalling tactics as in the pipeline are plans for the site to become self-managed, one wonders then if the respnsibility for clearing the plots would then fall on the management commitee?.

I have been invited to arrange an "on-site" meeting with the representative from the council should I have any further questions to ask, I may take him up on his offer in the near future but am currently working out the ethics of pointing out a plot I would be willing to clear myself in an attempt to queue jump.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: brian d on June 25, 2008, 08:31:13
It just doesn't seem very organised in this area does it.

I emailed M Cranston I think it is last night to say I was having trouble getting any replies and was there anything he could do to help but I'm not expecting much
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: brian d on June 25, 2008, 18:48:14
Here is a list of allotment sites I have rang tonight

Etal Park roughly 8 on waiting list
Kenton road......probably a waste of time
Norham Road......seemed clueless
Christon Road.....seemed better
Salters Lane......mostly pigeon men, 2-3 on list and been like that for about 2 year
Woodthorne road 12 on list
Little moor roughly 40 on list
Highbury north ....12 onlist
Highbury south .....20 on list
Jesmond dene 'stokes' very helpful and chatty....12 on list
Highbury and Forsyth Rd
 - brilliant roughly 15 on list - sounded very promising
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on June 25, 2008, 18:52:22
West Street/Balmoral in Wallsend currently has a waiting list of 85.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: brian d on June 25, 2008, 19:14:00
West Street/Balmoral in Wallsend currently has a waiting list of 85.

Nightmare! The last one I mentioned seemed very promising, I was on the phone for quite a while and at first she said it could be quite a while and by the end she was telling me there was a plot which had been used for bon fires etc and she has 15 people on the list and hadn't decided who to give it to, I was straight in there with 'Well I will take it off your hands' haha

Someone else will probably take it though given the current shortage!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: brian d on July 02, 2008, 00:24:56
Just thought I'd let you know Im now the proud owner of my very own plot!
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: applepie on July 02, 2008, 08:06:12
That's great Brian, we are also lottie newbies, had our plot 2 weeks, its great. We also had problems with waiting lists but ours is in Sunderland. The council would not let us know how many were on the waiting lists, so we took matters into our own hands....visited our local council allotment....waited to see committee...and they should us what was available. We have alot of work ahead but we know it will be worth it in the end. Good luck, Applepie
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on July 08, 2008, 13:27:54
Had my on-site meeting with the council representative last night.  Apparently there are currently 8 plots deemed lettable and these where being oiffered to the top 8 on the waiting list.  5 plots have been deemed unlettable, 4 of which where totally inaccessible, the 5th one being seriously overgrown.  I have however been offered the overgrown one, on the proviso that i make no demands on the council to clear it but do the work myself.  I am currently negotiating for a rent free period and also that my name stays on the list until the rent free period expires and the plot is deemed workable.  Will let you know how things go.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: brian d on July 10, 2008, 00:09:05
Good luck Rixy! enjoyin my new plot but taking it slowly as its hard work and not much to be grown now this year
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: betula on July 10, 2008, 00:14:14
Rixy,on my last allotment I took over a plot that was deemed deralict
I cleared it and enjoyed it.Sadly had to give it up as I moved.Good luck :)
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on July 10, 2008, 20:20:08
I have been given 12 months rent free on the allotment and boy will I need it.  Am fortunate enough to have a friend with a petrol strimmer  with blade attachments which i managed to borrow today.  Managed to chop most of the weeds down only to find that people have been using it as a bin for their empty drinks cans, bottles, faeces in plastic bags the works :(.  However, the first pass has been made and I can now more or less see the ground, tomorrow I will rake all the weeds down to one end, clear as much of the debris up as i can and then make a second pass with the strimmer, wish me luck, I'm going to need it.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Rixy on October 22, 2010, 22:24:13
Well, here we are 2 years down the line and an update I think is now called for.  Through the hard work of my wife and myself our plot is now looking something like a proper allotment, it is far from being the finished article that I wanted it to be but at least someone can move onto there tomorrow and start growing something.   

Yes, I've decided I'm going to trade that plot for one which has recently been vacated.  In spite of all the hard work of putting up the fence, making beds out of compacted and poor conditioned soil, making raised beds and cutting terraces into the slope that my plot is situated on, putting up two greenhouses and a shed and putting compost bins in place, having had successes and some failures, I'm prepared to take on another (although this time a much) lesser neglected plot. 

I have selfish reasons for doing so, it's a flat plot, it is on the main pathway in from the entrance and it has a dilapidated potting shed and combined greenhouse that although a health and safety hazard and should carry a danger of collapse warning attached to it, I covet.

So to pastures new, I'm moving from the bottom of the hill to the top, five plots between my new and what will become my "old" one so I'll be able to keep a close eye on how that one continues to hopefully take shape.

Many other things are different now too,  North Tyneside completed and published their "Allotment Strategy" last year and have started implementing some of the recommendations.  My relationship with the Allotment Officer is on a much better footing and I now understand the problems he faced and indeed continues to face. 

So the poacher has turned gamekeeper as I've agreed to become the "Lettings Rep" for the site.   I've had a couple of very informative talks with "the boss" and have had a very productive walk around whereby we managed to agree on areas of neglect amongst  other general problems of outdated signage, fly tipping and dumping, security, pest control et al.

So there we have it a concise update with only one more thing to add -

I won't apologise for my initial thoughts and postings on this thread, they where the thoughts and feelings I had at the time.  2 years down the line and I can honestly say they wouldn't be the postings I would make today, I've had a little insight into things, I've now seen how things work and met the person who tries to keep it all together, from having a perception of someone dodging responsibility and not caring I can now see I was well wide of the mark and that the opposite was in fact true.
Title: Re: Tyne and Wear People?
Post by: Aylana on June 21, 2011, 13:28:54
Hello all.  Some interesting posts on this thread!  I've just moved into the Wallsend area last month and am about to put my name down for an allotment.  It seems like there is a long waiting list still though.  Any feedback on which sites are best/have the shortest waiting lists is welcomed!  I'll update with which ones I put my name down for and how long it takes etc. 
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