Topic: Greetings!

[micklynn]

:D  and a happy New Year!

May we introduce ourselves?
We are Mick & Lynnder and we live in Fakenham, Norfolk.
We have recently taken up an allotment we enjoy all that goes into it (but Lynn is the expert!).
At the moment, though not at this precise time, we are digging the whole site over and preparing it as it has not been used for 2 years.  Pretty boring but essential, I am sure you will agree?

Anyway, questions, that we were searching the answer to when we found this site.................

Is it possible to get insurance for shed and tools etc on an allotment?  Who would others recommend?

Any help would be greatly appreciated and thank you for letting us on here.  We may not post much but we will be reading your posts for sure.

[budgiebreeder]

:D

And a Happy New Year to you two ,too.
And Welcome to our Site.

[Gardengirl]

Hi Mick & Lynnder,

Welcome - I haven't been here long myself but have discovered they are a great bunch and very helpful if you have a problem ;D

I haven't got an allotment myself but enjoy reading about other peoples achievements so keep your info coming. ::)

[markymark]

Hi Mick & Lynnder

Just wanted to say welcome to what is a fab site with some fab people on it! ;)

Can sympathise with you having to clear and dig your allotment, was doing the same just over a year ago myself :) For me the golden rule was a bit at a time and never look at what you've got left to do, just at what you have already achieved. Before you know it, it will all be done ;D

Not sure about the insurance for shed and tools. I would think this would be a difficult one. All I do is try to make the shed as secure as possible and say a prayer every night! To date I have been fairly fortunate as every day there is always soneone down on our site, which is also fairly well secured with railings, locking gates etc, although having said that me thinks someone may have superglued my padlocks in the summer, which meant new tamper proof locks and having to saw my way through the old ones to get them off >:(

Think your choice of magazines are fine, although don't get to hung up on them, as it's best just to get stuck in? I've found the best advice has come from those allotmenteers around me with many years experience and local knowledge. The only other mag I but occasionally is Organic Gardening, which you should be able to pick up at most places.

Think that's about it for now.

Happy New Year to you both, look forward to speaking with you again soon ;)

[Tenuse]

If there is an allotment society on your allotments or in your region, they will often be able to point you to appropriate insurance etc. (and half price seeds!)

Ten x

[tim]

M&L - no need for forelock touching - this lot aren't royalty!! But they'll give you royal support. = Tim

[micklynn]

thanks for the welcomes and we are working our way through all the other posts in various sections.
We are going to get stuck in asap.  I built a contained area in our small back garden a couple of years ago an dwe fille dit with mushroom compost and anything else we could find that was considered 'good' and in that we grew potatoes, leeks, onions, garlic, peas, beans, strawberries etc etc.  An amazing output for such a small area. All without any chemicals whatsoever and using composted kitchen waste, only.
This is what we are going to try to do at our allotment but on a larger scale.  So any advice more than welcome, especially of the the non chemical, non animal waste, recycling kind.  :)

[Steve__C]

Hi Mick & Lynn,
If you (or your society) contact the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners they offer the insurance through AXA that you are looking for at, what I believe to be, very reasonable rates. However, they are strict regarding windows and locks - 2002 prices £3 per £100.
Personally, I would suggest keeping your contents to a minimum and forgetting about insurance.
On my site, we lock sheds and todate (touch wood) had no problems. Our site is very secure with good fences and residential properties and most importantly good relationships with neighbours - costs a few strawberries, only considerate bonfires etc.
Other sites I know locally, leave the sheds unlocked, less damage when the thieves do arrive.

The contact for the insurance is:
Newspace Insurance Services Ltd
01604 403464 or theoffice@newspaceinsurance.co.uk

[teresa]

Hi and a happy new year to you both and welcome

[micklynn]

thanks for the insurance info we will follow that up.