What's the longest wait for a lottie?

[Chickpea]

I live right on the border between two MBCs. I called the one we belong to (a rural area) and they said there is an allotment in our village and if Iput my name down now my eldest son might just live long enough to get a plot. Otherwise they could let me know about a half dozen other allotments in the borough but they were all miles away.

So I contacted the MBC we border on (an urban area) and they said "Sure, we've got loads" and there were 3 within 2 miles of my house (which is actually nearer thant the one "in our village" since it was on the ouskirts on the opposite side). I checked them out and was offered a choice of allotments within a week. One site offerred me a couple of plots that were overgrown and neglected and the site as a whole was a mixed bag with some well-tended plots and others that were not. The site I ended up at was all well-tended and the plot he offered me was half-covered with plastic sheeting to smother weeds. Underneath the ground was nice and bare. That was two months ago and we haven't looked back.

[cir3ngirl]

2 weeks ago we visited the council the nice lady from the front desk was on holiday. All we got was someone on the other end of a internal phoneline. Then last week I got a almost rude email saying they will be in touch when one is available. At that point I had not seen my boys for over a week and was very low already. Plan is now to dig up front garden for veg. I did start a return email but put it on hold because of my state of mind.

Davina

[alicej]

You might like to see this article on getting an allotment - and a very good site http://www.paulkingsnorth.net/plot4.html

[Kirstykbart]

since we're renting our current house I thought I might look into an allotment for if and when we do move as no doubt it wouldn't have the space we have now. Unfortunatley there are no allotments at all in the Falkirk area! However I did get a nice e-mail back and they are looking into creating some. Just hope they get used if they do.

[The Chili Monster]

A friend and I are going down to the town council tomorrow to put our names down for an allotment. If we do it now, we may get a plot before we forget we ever applied!

[Chickpea]

Good luck with it. You might be like me and get one really soon.

[alicej]

Come to think of it, I kind of skipped the queue by taking over a friend's allotment that she didn't want any more. I got it in August, so everyone was used to seeing me there by January when the rents were due...

This did coincide with a lot of other changes on the site though as the tennants were just taking over running the place, and there was no waiting list for our plots.

Might be worth a try though, maybe asking to sub-let a corner of someone else's plot, or just help out someone else so you get to find out any gossip about anyone who might be vacating their plot soon...

Alice

[legendaryone]

Well i was very lucky, i went down to my local allotments to put my name on the list and was told there was one free
So i haven't had to wait at all.

[Cheezy]

WHoooHooo, finally got the call on Monday after a nearly 10 month wait.

Because I was first on the list and 3 lotties were available I got to go and pick one. SO rushed round.

Plots 4 and 5 had been one families, but were going back to 2 plots. Unfortunately said familiy on being told to clear it and push off had burnt all the fencing and shed. Lots of rubble on plot 5 , broken glass bottles every where, concreate and a barrow with no wheel!.hmmm

Plot 59 looked a better bet backed on to the cemetry (good soil then!), looked a lot smaller, but this was due to the 3 foot wide bramble hedge on 3 sides (nice and sweet berries, definitely a plus) It had a small tool shed, but also chest high thistles, couch grass and quite a bit of mares tail.

Hmm it was a tough descision, the mares tail was really putting me off. However I have gone for 59, as it only needs lot, and lots of hard work, but no capital out lay.

Photo's to follow, once I get to it at the weekend

[Andy Hamilton]

WHoooHooo, finally got the call on Monday after a nearly 10 month wait.

hoorah!

Best time of year to get one as well.

[Mancblue]

We were quite lucky really, we expected to have to wait ages for one but little did we know there were allotments a mere 5 mins walk away from out house, so after a week or so of trying to get a number to phone I finally spoke to one of the board members from the allotments, went down for a quick and friendly chat and got one there and then. There are however a few chaps with more than one allotment, but there are quite a few empty ones, so not really a problem at the moment. Might be if they get a take up though!!!!!

[silver8]

Hear alot about allotments being the new rock and roll but not in my area.My allotment site is quite small with only 30 or so plots. I would say that only about 15 are seriously worked although all are taken. I often feel guilty for having two and would give one up if the situation changed. But it gets worse. Was walking past another site the other day and was horrified by the state of it. Enormous site - !80 plots. Only 60 taken and my guess is that only about 30 seriously worked.
Which brings me to my biggest fauult - poltics-which brings the worst out in me. Went into one today about how much I was being let down publically by the organic brand . Want and have the skills but not the time to get stuck in. In a selfish way had a great day. Was down at the allotment from early in the morning to about 2.30. Went home and started my home made bread.Went to pick up something I got from freecycle. And then down to the local leisure centre where my 12 year old son beat me for the first time at badmington. Home again to make home grown and home made carrot soup with warm home baked bread.Tomorrow off to work. But know this is self indulegent. I just want to spread the word in a serious way.

[legendaryone]

I've only had my allotment for 6 weeks (by the way i finished all the digging on Saturday ) And from being down there a lot i have noticed lots of my fellow allotment holders have two or more plots, have also noticed many plots not being tended to seriously which is a shame but it means i wont' feel too guilty when i decide to get a second plot aswell