November Issue Allotment waiting lists

[WendyC]

74m2 = 2.92 rods (using an online conversion) A full plot is generally deemed to be 10 rods. So yes about a third.

[1Bee]

Thanks Wendy. I do find the measurements a tad confusing.

[Ryleh]

My experience of allotments in Sheffield is that the waiting list situation varies wildly from site to site. There are some sites with large waiting lists and people who have been waiting for years whilst some sites have vacant plots in the high teens.

Personally I think the sites with the waiting lists are those with active allotment associations and a good sense of community.

We have suffered quite a bit over the last couple of years in Sheffield due to a massive price hike which I think has put people off and I think there are quite a few vacant plots on sites that haven't been tended for quite a while as a result.

So I think price is a huge contributor to waiting lists. A cheap plot will result in more people willing to give being an allotment owner a go and a greater willingness to take on one of those untended plots that might be otherwise left drowning in weeds or bramble.

[Thelma Sanders]

It could also be that people only want a plot very near where they live.

There are about 8 different sites here, but I only put my name down on one list.
Otherwise, if the people who have waited years really wanted a plot, then they would travel a bit further, surely?

[Ryleh]

I think distance is definitely a big contributory factor.

I was fortunate when I got my allotment in that there were 2 potential sites within 2 miles of my home (about half a mile travel difference). The closer one had a waiting list and was full where as the other had free plots.

[Alison]

Personally I think the sites with the waiting lists are those with active allotment associations and a good sense of community.

Not sure, different people look for different things, I don't want to take part in communal stuff as I don't have the time to do that and manage my plot. I am aware that sounds antisocial and rather miserable but people are different and I do my socialising elsewhere. We're all pretty friendly and briefly chat but no organised things which I love (too much of that at work ). Given the choice I'd pick one without an association or committee every time.

[Ryleh]

I'm not saying that allotment associations are something that people necessarily look for when finding an allotment, I know I didn't, I'm merely saying that my experience is that the sites in Sheffield that I'm aware of that have big waiting lists are those with active allotment societies that run community events. It might just be coincidence.

Personally my allotment site doesn't have an allotment society and over this last year I've gone months sometimes without speaking to anyone else on the site and thats a situation I've been happy with. As you say people look for different things and number 1 on my list when I was looking for an allotment was having a secluded plot.

[noviceveggrower]

I'm moving sites, well nearly finished moving, because I wanted the social aspect of an allotment site. My old site had a committee that no one really wants to be on, no social meeting place, hardly ever saw anyone to talk to apart from the odd dog walker and am totally surrounded by houses. There are now lots of empty plots on the site. More than when I started.
My new site has a little shop, a little area where everyone can meet up and have a drink and everyone seems really nice. Its further away from my old site but as everyone pointed out to me when I was in two minds whether to move or not that its best to be happy and enjoy gardening than finding it a drag.
I think plot size can put some people off. New site is 24ft by 48ft. My old plot site is about that plus a bit more and that's a half plot.
Think also a problem getting people to take a plot on is that they can't see past the weeds and rubbish. I found another buried spade and 4 slabs stacked on each other last week. I think if the site just lets a left plot to over run then it will put people off.