Topic: Allotment Social Life

[Old Central]

Hi all,

As the evenings draw in I wanted to see what everyone got up to on their site so we can plan for next year.

My plot is on a site with an Association of well over 100 members (there are over 200 plots on the site). There is a hut with a small shop and a loo.

So far this year we have had a BBQ, a produce show with plot tours and, last week, a pumpkinfest with food and a bonfire.

So what do you do or what would you like to do? .............

OC

[saddad]

Not quite that organised here, but we are having a bit of a communal bonfire in about ten minutes, between about 6 plotholders!
 8)

[manicscousers]

we've had a barbeque, only got 8 plots this year, 12 next, trying to organise a plant sale day in april and a produce sale next autumn

[Old Central]

Thanks for the replies - hope the bonfire went well SD.

MS you remind me that we also have a plant sale!

Any more suggestions/comments gratefully received.

OC

[Mrs Ava]

Wish we had an allotment social life!  No committee or communual shed so the only social life that goes on is when Old Jack and I have a cup of tea together watching the weeds grow!  Sounds like you guys have a great time and I have to say, I am a little envious!

[Emagggie]

Same here, EJ. Folks love a chinwag, but not interested in anything social. Still, quite a few newbies at last, and maybe in the summer we'll get together.

[Lady of the Land]

Emma you should come down to our allotments at Highfield Rd/Melbourne in Chelmsford sometime. We have had for last couple of years a coffee/mulled wine morning in December and summer 2005 a barbeque. The local enviromental group on the site has had a couple of open days which we have linked into as well.

We have tried organising a few events, but some of the people are just not interested and it tends to fall to just a few people who do the organising. We have a variety of people on the site, the majority probably in the 50 + age bracket and someone aged 93 has just given up recently. The site  has a communal feeling, particularly on a warm sunny day when their are a number of people on their plots.

The allotment association started just over 3 years ago and we have recently found out we have a substantial sum of money following selling off part of the allotments that were not fully used. The association did try and stop the land being sold, but unfortunately with out success.We are looking at the possibility of a communal building, flush toilets and possibly a small kitchen area. The problem is the cost of electricity and sewage, particularly the ongoing costs involved. The association is looking into compost toilets, solar power and wind power- however the start up costs may prove too much.

[cornykev]

:) We have ladies and gents toilets not state of the art but better than nothing, a shop storeroom type thing never seen it open thou. About sixty plots all being used. No committee but a bloke in charge who gets a free plot not sure what he does apart from moan. Sid next doors 76 and still going strong then he tells me his mate 8 plots up has just turned 88 and still comes on his bike.  Not allowed BBQ's, everyones quite friendly but don't socialise just chin wag, just when your trying to get stuck in, half hour  talking half hour digging.   ::)


          May the corn be with you.

[saddad]

We are trying hard to get more social... we now have a female majority on the commitee. We got into the yellow book and had two good open days with plant and produce sales and won Derby in bloom best site.
 8)