Mine is in Birchen Grove, NW London, inside the Welsh Harp Nature Reserve. It is a large site, about 40 plots, half of which, like mine, are 5 rod plots.
The "top end" are all half size plots.
We have no toilets, only get a skip once or twice a year but do have water.
It is a heavy clay site with poor drainage but very fertile. One of the biggest problems is theft although we are convinced, now, that this is an allotment holder who is "going shopping" when there is nobody here.
It is owned and run by Brent Council although one of the allotment holders acts as (unpaid) overseer. Good thing they don't pay him - he doesn't do anything!
I recently complained to the Council about the briars which make using the paths around the allotments life threatening. I am sick and tired of ripped clothes and torn arms and legs. Last year, they took on an unemployed man for 3 months and one of his jobs was to cut them back. If they would also keep down the weeds on the vacant plots, life would get a lot easier!
I cannot understand how they can say there is a waiting list but still, plots sit vacant. They are very quick, however, to send out a "Non-cultivation Notice" to current plot holders, if they think there is too much overgrowth on the allotment!
We pay £41.00 p.a.
