My top tip would be to make friends with the allotment officer!! I'd had my name on the list for a while when my father in law got a letter offering him a lottie. When he met up with the lottie lady I went with him & enthused about all things lottie and said I'd accept any plot she could offer. I emailed her on almost a daily basis, pointing out plots I'd seen on sites that looked like they hadn't been worked, and every time she emailed me back saying that when I reached the top of the list, she'd be in touch. I rang and left messages on her answerphone, again pointing out neglected plots. I emailed her asking if she knew of anyone that was maybe struggling to work their plots, offering to help with digging, weeding etc. In short, I made a nuisance of myself but I did eventually (well all in all it took me 5 weeks of pestering) get an email offering me a totally overgrown plot that I think she thought I'd turn down, but I jumped at it. I've got 125sq meters which will cost me £19 a year (paid in arrears) but as it was so overgrown, I got the first year free, so my first rent will be due in March 2010. Result!!!!