Ok, it is now official...

[out in the cold]

... Was just at our inaugural meeting, and we have formed the Alford Community Allotment Association!

The local community councillor was there (she is the vice chair of the community council) and we set up a committee. I am Fundraising Officer... (not sure if this is a good thing or not yet...).

The local council are keen for us to have allotments in the area, and have proposed a fairly large plot of land, currently being used as a small park, subject to the normal officialdom.

I now have a few questions arising, and would appreciate input from.those that have set up from scratch please...

What should be our first priority as a committee (apart from articles of association and speaking to folks from the Aberdeenshire council, who we believe are also well disposed to the idea).

I am all excited, but am not buying tons of seed potatoes yet...

[alldigging]

Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership - Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action

Maybe contact them for assistance in fundraising and guiding you through.


To raise funds you'll need a constitution and to raise funds for using on land you usually need a lease for that land.
Funding can be available through councillors own budgets sometimes though that might help you get started.


We were in the lucky position of the councillor coming to us with a way of getting the landscaping done. A firm working on the local motorway had a contractual obligation to put something back into the community as part of their contract. This meant they came and put road, carpark and paths in and leveled the ground. Ours was very rough space before that.
If yours is in better condition then you perhaps need very little before it can be called allotments.

Perhaps just some change of use and checking there are no covenants and restrictions on the land.

Leases can be hugely complicated and this will be our third year starting in March and we still haven't got a lease due to various issues with the way leases are done and the covenants on our particular space.

Getting a waiting list could be useful!

[out in the cold]

Cheers for that.

I think we will cover the waiting list and who keeps it under our constitution. Even at this early stage, we are definitely considering adding wording like "open to residents of the Vale of Alford, and it's environs"

[NorthEastPhil]

Cheers for that.

I think we will cover the waiting list and who keeps it under our constitution. Even at this early stage, we are definitely considering adding wording like "open to residents of the Vale of Alford, and it's environs"

Congratulations, I look forward to hearing all the banter on progress.
I would be good to start a photo album and map your progress just to have something to look back on as you develop over the years.
Well done. I'll plan a trip to the glen some time just to admire your hard work.


Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

[snohare]

I'll plan a trip to the glen some time just to admire your hard work.

Pick me up on the way past Phil, I'm desperate to see these famous cabbages...

[out in the cold]

You guys will be more than welcome if you want to visit, once we have a bit more than a drawing with an X on it!