Allotment Societies/Associations

[thingybobby]

The Society for our site apparently folded several years ago, probably 'cos it also included other sites too?

I've been trying to gauge interest in re-forming one and would like to know if there are any real benefits to having one?

Does it help in getting improvements/funding from the Council?

Is it only of benefit with a supplies/equipment hire shop?

Does anyone have any Model Rules/Constitution to view as an example?

Does it have to be affiliated to any National Organisation?

Does anyone have any answers to whatever else I should be asking?

[Lesley Jay]

If the site is owned by the council get in touch with the allotment officer at the parks and gardens department and he/she will give you the right information for forming a new association. In the mean time talk to other plot holders and see if anyone is interested in being on a committee to run the allotment site.

[Peter]

V-useful website for you

is http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/

Have a read, you will find it fits your situation, esp check out their factsheets.

[nick the grief]

Try the Allotment Regeneration Initiative (ARI) they have loooads of stuff on their site with regards to this including constituition, & other fact sheets covering fund raising etc.

If you have an Association with a committee & consttuion it will help you to secure funding more easily as it is transparent where it's going. Coming from Barnsley you may well qualify for grants from the Coalfield regen Trust (I think thats what they are called) which will help you to get things sorted.

I found this site really usefull & have printed stuff off for our first meeting this weekend.

Also there is a book called The Allotment Handbook by Sophie Andrews, that has a lot of info in it about promoting you r site & saving it from developers.

Ypur Biggest problem will be finding 5 more people to volunteer for the committee or however many you need - we've got 6:-

Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
+ 3 others

You may want more or less. Go for it, if you start to make some difference you may find that other people will be interested in joining & maybe the other sites might like to take up the same Idea then you can have a rep from each one to meet with the council to help get things sorted.

[Peter]

Does anyone actually read previous advice posted on this forum before posting their pennyworth?

5:25 pm on the 4th and 8:44 pm on the 4th.

[nick the grief]

No I didn't peter To be honest I thought the url was for a different site. but as we are doing exactly this same thing at the moment I answered anyway.

A case of great minds thinking alike or fools seldom differing

[Jaxom]

Always good to have advice twice. Rather than no one posting help. It's good to know Grapes are so suportive to questions.
Jaxom

[andrewo]

You need to contact the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners at http://www.nsalg.org.uk/ they can help with any questions you have and you will affiliate to them.

[thingybobby]

Societies

Thanks everyone,

Lots of advice and caution!

Further in-depth enquiries have revealed a politics minefield, with lots of hidden agendas and simmering resentment going back forever.

Safest bet seems to be to join the Society for another site in the village for the time being.

Noel