15/3/2016 Committee published in "Administration".
New Page "Sheila Sez" added 7/4/16
SHOP Goodies and prices added 9/4/16
Availability update 2/5/2016
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Welcome and thank you for your visit to the Little Irchester Permanent Allotment Association Ltd. Blog
If you have arrived at this page to discover more about our association with the possibility of perhaps applying to join us let me tell you what we are about.
The land, the stock and monies are the property of the association membership jointly.
Membership normally fluctuates between seventy and ninety members.
A new applicant, having paid the amount necessary to buy a share in the association is allocated a share number after serving a probationary period of twelve months from joining.
The land that we own is divided between two fields; the one within the village is the smaller and is mainly of light soil. The other is just to the east of the village at the side of the A45 and has varying soil types.
The two fields together are reported to be approximately fourteen and a half acres.
What do I get?
Should you approach the committee with the prospect of gardening with us then the policy at the moment of writing is to offer all the vacant plots for adoption and let the applicant choose to settle where-ever he or she wishes.
Having deposited the price of a share with the association the gardener is then entitled, whether probationer or otherwise, to rent from the association such land as is available, a normal sized plot being ten poles of land or multiples thereof.
This might be a good time to mention that although ten poles of land is a fixed measure of area, on our fields such things tend to be arbitrary and the best plan is to come and see what is on offer.
The Good Stuff
We run a shop where we can supply you with some of the items most popular with our gardeners, for instance, Growmore, Compost, Fleece, Canes and items of that nature.
We try to be competitive with our pricing.
The Association owns a small rotorvator that can be hired for not much money and people within the association have a ploughing service available together with rotorvation, tilling and general tractor work.
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We have mains water installed on both of our fields. Water users need to register their intent with the secretary to obtain a key to the taps.
The Not So Great Stuff
One needs to garden defensively’ rabbits, pigeons etc. are a nuisance.
We do not have toilet facilities.
As this Association is over a hundred years old this might be a testament to the discretion of gardeners
What’s it going to cost me?
On joining we ask that you deposit £50.00 with us, if you leave the place tidy and just decide that gardening on an allotment isn’t for you within the first year then there is every chance that you could recover that amount on application.
Our hope however, is that you enjoy what you are doing and after a twelve month period you will be allocated a share number and be a part owner along with the rest of us.
Next expense.
We are members of the National Association so that’s £4.00 per year per person extra.
Next, the Rent.
A standard ten poles of land attracts a rent of £10.00 per year paid in two instalments of £5.00 in March and October.
Be aware that non payment of rent on time is regarded as a cardinal sin.
So, on a bare plot, on initial sign up, you will be expected to pay up front £57.00 which covers the Share price / Deposit, National Association contribution and the rent in advance to the next rent day.
Extras.
If there are assets on the plots such as a hut, water buts, fruit trees, fruit bushes and the like then you are expected to make a contribution to the Association or the outgoing gardener, we are not greedy in this respect and you can haggle if you wish although haggling doesn’t do much for first impressions.
I’m Interested. What Do I Do Next?
Well, if you would like to have a look around to see what we have on offer
you can write
The Secretary,
Little Irchester Permanent Allotment Association Ltd.
1. Daniels Road,
Little Irchester,
Wellingborough, NN8 2EQ.
The association phone number is 07749 45 1966
Alternatively you can drop a note with your contact details into our post box by the gate on the Daniels Road Field and someone will be in touch to answer any questions that you might have.
That’s it really, except to wish for you a nice day and thank you for your interest in our allotments.
Planning Your First Allotment by Jen Carter
in Home / Gardening (submitted 2010-05-08)
Once the excitement of getting your first allotment has worn off, you now have the job of planning which plants, vegetables, fruit & flowers you will choose to grow in your first year.One of the best ways of doing this is to sit down and think what you'd most like to have grown by the end of the growing season - try not to be too ambitious, but choose a handful of items that you'd like to try to grow. After all, there's plenty of time to grow some of the more ambitious plants & vegetables.
Measuring your allotment can help with planning the layout - do you want a central path, raised beds, a seating area or simply one large well-dug area? The phrase "begin with the end in mind" is most appropriate at this time, as planning your space can pay dividends later on.
If your allotment is new, then you're likely to have the job of clearing the land and digging it over for the first time. If possible, clear it little by little, one bed at a time, digging in compost or well rotted manure to those beds where the plants will appreciate it.If you've been given an allotment that's full of overgrown plants & weeds, set to clearing areas little by little. If you've got the patience, it'll pay off to clear any stones, weeds & roots as you clear.
Before planting, dig in plenty of goodness to the ground, finding a supplier of quality compost will help to condition the soil. Consider buying some well rotted manure to use as a mulch on plants such as potatoes, beans, courgettes and so on, as these will often thrive in such conditions. If you have time & inclination, it's great fun to plant up your own seeds in early spring and enjoy watching them grow. However, it's often possible to buy seedlings at your local garden centre or to order them by post - if you're short of time, this can be an easy way of getting started.
If you're new to gardening then, during evenings and weekends when you're not at the allotment, read books or magazines (either bought or from the library). They can help you understand the best ways tools & techniques to use as well as helping with cultivation tips and pest control.
Make the most of your allotment - visit as often as you can, enjoy being out in the open air and watching the seasons pass, as well as chatting with fellow allotment holders. One things for certain, having an allotment can help you improve your health - both through fitness as well as through the wonderful quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables that it can help you produce.
Enjoy!
About the Author
Jen has been writing for nearly five years. Her latest website is http://www.fullspectrumlampshop.com/ which helps those suffering from SAD or winter blues to find the best seasonal affective disorder light boxes and information on full spectrum light treatments.
Jen Carter
