Welcome to Leapool Allotments
We hope you enjoy your new garden. This page contains a summary of key information to get you started. You will have been given a copy of our Rules and Regulations when you signed up for your allotment. Please take a few moments to read through them and, if there is anything you’re not sure about, just ask the Letting Officer.
The Committee
Our allotment site is run by a Committee of volunteers. The election of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee members takes place every September at the Association’s AGM. Any member can stand and no previous experience is necessary.
Plot management and site inspections
Our Rules and Regulations, which are based on the terms of our lease with our landlords, Gedling Borough Council, set out guidance for the management of plots. Roughly two-thirds of your plot should be “under cultivation” especially during the core growing season through spring and summer, and weeds need to be kept under control as far as is possible. Buildings, fences and paths should be maintained in a safe condition, and potentially dangerous items, such as panes of glass or garden tools, must not be left around on the plot. It is also worth mentioning that you are responsible for keeping the edges of your plot tidy, making sure weeds or branches of trees and bushes do not spread across paths or encroach onto the road through the allotment site.
Approximately once a month from the beginning of March to the end of October, members of the Committee carry out formal site inspections to make sure plots are being properly maintained. If a problem is identified, such as an abundance of uncontrolled weeds or insufficient cultivation of a plot, a letter or email will be sent to the tenant. It is important that members who receive such a letter respond to it, as failure to maintain a plot in accordance with the terms of our lease can ultimately lead to a tenancy being terminated. Help and support can be offered to a member who is temporarily struggling to maintain a plot, for example because of illness.
Dogs and children
Both are welcome at the allotments, but please make sure they do not cause a nuisance to other members. Dogs must be kept on a lead unless securely contained within your plot. Neither dogs nor children should be allowed to stray unsupervised.
Car parking
We currently have two car parks – one by the “top gate” and one by the “bottom gate”. These are for the use of all members and their visitors. Some people have created parking spaces on their allotments. Please do not use these parking spaces without permission as they are part of the tenant’s plot.
Bonfires and barbecues
You will see from your rules that bonfires are allowed but only at certain times. These are:
Winter: from the beginning of November to the end of March, bonfires may be lit on any day and at any time.
Summer: from the beginning of April to the end of October, bonfires are only allowed from Monday to Friday before 12pm and after 5pm. Fires lit in the morning must be fully extinguished before 12pm.
Bank Holidays: No fires may be lit on Bank Holidays
Bonfires are not allowed on Bank holidays, and smoke must not be allowed to blow towards the A60 road, or to cause a nuisance to our site neighbours or other members working on their plots.
Bonfires MUST be properly extinguished at least an hour before leaving the site. Failure to do so could invalidate our insurance and even leave you liable for damage done to neighbouring plots. Please see the Rules and Regulations for more information.
Barbecues and camping gas stoves are permitted, but care must be taken when using them. They must never be left unattended and children must be properly supervised at all times around them. It is also advisable to have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water handy as a precaution.
Our Facebook Group
Any member who uses Facebook is welcome to join the Leapool Allotments group. Please contact the Secretary if you are interested.
Leaves, chippings and metal collection
From time to time, Gedling Borough Council delivers leaves and chippings to the allotment car parks. These are free for members, and you are welcome to bring a wheelbarrow and help yourself. The Committee also organises scrap metal collections. Please keep an eye out for notices around the site about these.
The Trading Post
Our on-site shop is run by volunteers and is for the benefit of all members. It is normally open on Saturdays and Wednesdays, 10.00—12.00, from spring until around the end of October, though purchases outside these days can be made by arrangement. Please contact the Secretary for more information.
The shop stocks a good range of garden essentials such as compost, fertiliser, netting, canes and slug pellets.
Around the middle of August every year, Kings Seed catalogues and seed potato order forms are available from the Trading Post. As members of the National Allotment Society, we are able to purchase seeds, plants and seed potatoes at discounted prices. Seed and potato orders can be placed online.
Paper copies of orders should be handed in at the Trading Post by the date given on the order form. Orders are delivered in the spring, and the Trading Post will be open at the times shown above for members to collect them. The Trading Post can currently take payments by cash, cheque or bank transfer.
Water
We are lucky enough to have water on our site, and you will find a tap near to your allotment. The council turns off the supply over winter to avoid burst pipes. Members are also encouraged to collect rainwater in water butts.
Annual Competition and show
Every August, we hold an informal barbecue and show. Members are invited to submit a basket of allotment produce for judging, then all those present vote for their favourite basket. Prizes are awarded to those whose basket comes first, second and third. We also hold an annual competition in which the Committee awards prizes for “Best Garden” and “Best Newcomer”. This is in addition to the annual competition run by the Council to select the best allotment gardens in the Borough.