A space to entertain on the lottie?

[Nikki Arnold]

OK so we know that allotments are (and should be) used predominantly to grow fruit and veggies – but we were wondering whether any of you had made any changes to your plot or site to make it a more social and entertaining space? Seating, pizza ovens (homemade or bought), undercover areas, bunting, fairy lights – we'd love to know what additions you have made!



Please note your answers may be edited and printed in the July issue of GYO magazine.

[Alison]

No, I have a shed which is great for a brew but have no desire to make it all pretty. For me the lottie is a practical place to work and grow not for socialising. Have no problems with a quick chat to the other holders but insufficient time to slack off totally

[Normans Mum]

We have a bench in the tree area of our lottie. It makes a nice place to sit, have a brew and look at things growing.

[binley100]

We have a bench next to the pond and an old tree stump for a table lovely for a break in nice weather . The shed doesn't have much room for sitting and it rains in there anyway.

[Thelma Sanders]

There's less than a half plot to play with, so a socialising area just isn't an option !

I do have a placcy chair so I can sit and rest my back from time to time though

[Aberdeenplotter]

I have a bench next to my shed and a collapsible picnic table both frequently used in the hot summer afternoons whilst I quaff a cold beer with neighbouring plotters as we recover after some hard work. I also have a waste bin for the empties and a plastic box in which I store ring pulls and crown caps. You would not believe how useful these things can be.

[lottie dolly]

we certainly do,new this year,we got given some astro turf,and put it to use,we now have a grassed patio area with a roof on to collect more rain water from,adjoing the shed,backed up to a fence,the other side hopefully will have sweetpeas up some netting,table and chairs toboot,its great to sit and chill,also to eat our picknick/cook dinner,and a BBQ,if we wish,several others do the same on our site,great for a birthay ext,very nice atmosfear,all weather depending,once 5 of us had a BBQ going outside,and had seats spread out in the green house as it was chilly,so no exuse for not having fun,

[Mrs Dobby]

We have a small area in front of the shed which has an arbour above it, with a grapevine growing across it. There is just about room for 4 chairs under the arbour, and when the weather is nice its a great place to sit in the shade and have a brew or lunch. Occassionally we will have a BBQ on the plot under the arbour, but more usually the BBQ will be under a neighbours arbour whch is a lot larger than ours

[Piggle]

Nope I have to say that I go to the allotment to grow my food , it's not a social thing for me and there usually isn't anyone around when I'm there anyway.

After 6 years I actually still don't have a chair as I'm not really one for sitting down . I'd just be thinking about the stuff I could be doing, I'd rather just do it and then sit down at home in my garden.

[Hans Mum]

Our site (not my plot) has a BBQ area and a permanent gazebo with a communal garden area, we have BBQs and Tea parties and there are several chairs & benches its a nice area just to sit and catch up with other plot holders. Ive got a shed on my own plot with a bench outside which is lovely on the rare days i get to spend the whole day there.

[smallfrog]

We have a deck. Ok its three bits of of telegraph pole shoved together and if you sit on it in the summer you may get a black bum. Theres a plan to add chairs but mostly its just sit on the deck drink whatevers to hand and look at a job well done.

[BarleySugar]

Our site has a community area where we held a fund raising bbq last year, and we intend to hold several social functions a year. It still needs some development work, as and when we get more money together.
In front of my shed we have put a small patio, DD loves coming up with a can of beer and watch me and son no2 working or read her book. We've got some of the folding camping chairs that take up little space in the shed. It's nicer than our back garden (no smell from neighbours dogs, and no barking). I've put in a couple of dwarf apple trees, underplanted with herbs and some bee friendly flowers around the edge. We've got a camping cooker, but I want a bbq as well. The rules say no charcoal bbq because people might not make sure they are out before leaving, but a gas one would be no different than the cooker. I've had problems finding one at a reasonable price so far though.

[jackie j]

Our site has a communal area with a picnic table /bench, some one has put a round table there and two other people have brought benches that they no longer want in their own garden, the area is lined with apple trees and someone has planted a cherry tree that they dug up from their plot. Last year I organised a BBQ and have tried to do the same this year but the rain has put paid to that, will try again later in the year. I took along my daughters swing ball, hoop game and boules. we also set up a gazebo for the evening.
On both of our plots we have a small seating area by the shed where we can sit and watch the world go by ( well other plot holders and the wildlife. )

[Dynamo]

A space to entertain is in the middle of my to do list. I've got a floor for a shed all sorted so all I have to do is buy one and build it, and I'm also in the middle of making a crazy paved area outside it. Its just a matter of getting hold of the broken paving slabs. Once its done then maybe some people will come for a barbeque and a beer and a chinwag, but then again, maybe they won't.

[di]

It's not so much a place to entertain, more a place for me and the kiddies to sit for lunch or drinks. We have a bench and table amongst the fruit trees. I've got enough slabs to pave it (there's so many nettles) but feel it may be a step too far.