Hi,

I am really upset today. My husband and I found this gorgeous plot in rivelin valley, in a sunny position, not too overgrown, and when we phoned to reserve it we were told it had just gone to someone else. I can't tell you how disappointed I feel! After having seen the other available plots on the eastern part of the site, this one was just perfect.

We don't know what to do now. There are plenty of vacant allotments on the western side of the rivelin valley area. Are they any good? We went for a walk on Sunday but couldn't find our way in the allotment area. It seems overgrown to the point of being unpassable (trees, etc). However, when I looked on Googlemaps, the area doesn't seem that overgrown at all. Were we looking in the wrong area?

I am in desperate need of advice. Does any of you have an allotment in this area? Or should be look into Hagg House instead?

My friend and I have adjoining allotments in Rivelin Valley but we're hopefully moving onto the Walkley Bank site, I can let you know if it all goes through OK and we can sign one (or both) of them over to you.

Hi Becky, that's very kind! I've sent you a PM. :-)

Hi. cris71.
I have just come across your post whilst browsing. I know how you felt. You find a site you think might be suitable, then the allotment dept, says, 'Oh that one has gone' and months later nop one has been seen in or near it. Having looked at the comments made on the forum lst I am now of the opinion that the Council are only interested in getting gullible peop[le like myself and other to put good their allotment site for them. It appears that they are offering all of us overgrown, rubbish filled plots and when you complain the reply is. well you signed for it. I beleive that there musr be something under the Trade Descrption Act .It is time the allotment department got their fingers out and started to help tenants. sorry for the long tirade I do hope that you eventually got what you were looking for. Mil

I agree. Some of the stuff on ours (which we've pretty much given up on) would be extremely difficult to shift by hand, the old top loading washing machine being a good example :) . The council obviously can't be bothered with them all but are quite happy to let them out and block you from getting a truck down to them!

My friend and I have adjoining allotments in Rivelin Valley but we're hopefully moving onto the Walkley Bank site, I can let you know if it all goes through OK and we can sign one (or both) of them over to you.


hiya becky. the allotments on walkely bank side, are they nr morley street allotments? if so could u tell me a road nr it so i can look it up on google maps


dave:thumbsup:

Hi,

I am really upset today. My husband and I found this gorgeous plot in rivelin valley, in a sunny position, not too overgrown, and when we phoned to reserve it we were told it had just gone to someone else. I can't tell you how disappointed I feel! After having seen the other available plots on the eastern part of the site, this one was just perfect.

We don't know what to do now. There are plenty of vacant allotments on the western side of the rivelin valley area. Are they any good? We went for a walk on Sunday but couldn't find our way in the allotment area. It seems overgrown to the point of being unpassable (trees, etc). However, when I looked on Googlemaps, the area doesn't seem that overgrown at all. Were we looking in the wrong area?

I am in desperate need of advice. Does any of you have an allotment in this area? Or should be look into Hagg House instead?

Oh it's rubbish when this happens! Best thing is to mark off quite a few plots, it lessens the disappointment. Also, not far from Rivelin are the ones on Hagg House and Hagg Lane - there appear to be quite a few fellow forummers on Hagg House now! Ours is Hagg Lane and the wait was around 6 months.

And when using Google Maps, the pics are a snapshot in time, and I'm not sure when the photos were taken. I do know it was quite a while ago though: on google maps, our plot looks cultivated, but when we took it on it had been abandoned for at least 18 months...

hiya becky. the allotments on walkely bank side, are they nr morley street allotments? if so could u tell me a road nr it so i can look it up on google maps


dave:thumbsup:


They're the Morley Street allotments. Aren't you already on the waiting list ? ;)

yeah im 29th, lol,
how did u manage to get one on morley street? did u get one signed over?;)


dave:thumbsup:


They're the Morley Street allotments. Aren't you already on the waiting list ? ;)

And when using Google Maps, the pics are a snapshot in time, and I'm not sure when the photos were taken. I do know it was quite a while ago though: on google maps, our plot looks cultivated, but when we took it on it had been abandoned for at least 18 months...

Looking at google maps and the state of my back garden Hillsborough, it looks they were taken in 2002/3. Looking at the state of my allotment, it looks fairly well cared for so it must be about the 1800's :D

Dan

yeah im 29th, lol,
how did u manage to get one on morley street? did u get one signed over?;)


dave:thumbsup:


Nah, I'm on the waiting list too. The one I'm giving up on is at Rivelin...

mmmm riverlin, i think ill give it a miss, why are you giving it up?




Nah, I'm on the waiting list too. The one I'm giving up on is at Rivelin...

We've fought and lost the battle with the weeds (I think we have clubroot), vandals and thieves. Plus part of it is a scrapyard with little chance of removal! I think I'd need one further off the beaten track...

My friends and I are thinking of putting our names down for a plot in Rivelin Valley but having read these posts I am getting fairly worried!
The plot we have our eye on does not have a water supply - we were hoping to have a water-efficient plot anyway but is it tricky to set up a rainwater harvesting system?
And should I definitely go and have a look before signing up for definite?

There were a lot of plots empty at Rivelin, some in much better condition than others, best thing to do is have a walk round all of them, make a list of plots you would be willing to take and then phone the allotment office. If I can be of any help please get in touch.
Kim
President Sheffield Allotment and Leisure Gardners Federation

Thanks, we are going to go and have a look around this week!
I will remember to come back here for more advice...

I must have looked at every available plot from the paddling pools up to Hagg Lane and found only one that I decided was worth investing time on. Having said that its now four months on and I still haven't managed to plant anything although that will be changing very shortly. I now just need to secure the allotment......but that's a completely different story. I did complain to the allotment officer whos reply was that not a lot of people wanted allotments in Rivelin; he didn't associate this with the state of the allotments. I have my name down for an allotment on Rodney Hill at Loxley, I think I'm 29th and there are only about 20 allotments there. I personally think that pressure needs putting on the council to start improving things. I'd like to see them start investing in allotments, in particular sites like Rivelin need a batch of allotments clearing and making secure; when these are filled then move onto another batch. There is a huge movement in the UK at the moment regarding 'local food', 'wild food' etc the long waiting list at the well kept sites shows that there is a demand out there for plots in a reasonable state.

Well, we visited the allotments today, and despite the condition have decided to take it on as a project! It will be our first time so we have a lot to learn (and a lot to do...) but despite our inexperience we are keen, and to be honest, things could not get much worse!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47048296@N00/361715549/in/set-72157594486863513/

At the very least we can start caring for that piece of land - it is a lovely spot near the river... I can't wait!

Whereabouts is it some of them I understand are very prone to vandalism, I understand the ones near to the dam near the fire station are prime targets along with those just up from the paddling pools.

It is one of the ones in the section between the fire station and the mill pond.
There are two more available there at the mo but they are a bit smaller and just straight plots.
Thje vandalism is a good point - We did not see one complete pane of glass I don't think, and a couple of the sheds had been burnt.
However, I think it is a problem that we will just have to plan to deal with - secure lock box, not worrying about replacing glass, and just working with it really. It's part of the reason we chose a plot away from the road.
I think the more people that take on plots the more often the site will be manned so that should have some impact. So we've not got any illusions about what we are taking on but I definitely think we shall make some improvement - I'd rather have an allotment and cope with some vandalism than not have one at all!
Take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/47048296@N00/sets/72157594486863513/ for more pics of the area

Have a look at this aerial photo:
http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=53.397097~-1.514654&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=7696250

I think the bird's eye view for most areas was taken last summer...

I can really identify with the comments on this thread, having recently taken on a Rivelin plot (just opposite Hagg Hill turning). I got the Council list in early December and looked at just about every available plot in Rivelin and on Hagg Hill over the festive season. Then had to go back twice as all my choices had been taken. The plot I've eventually settled on was my 13th choice! I am NOT kidding!!! (BTW - thanks to the very patient lady at the Council.)

Strangely enough, this seems to me to be a positive factor as there is obviously a groundswell of interest. I first looked around the vacant plots 3 years ago but got so disheartened by the state of them, especially the ruins that had obviously once been someone's pride and joy, that I couldn't face taking one on.

There appears to be far more occupancy now than there was then & that has to be good for security. I met a chap who has had one of the plots next to the riverside path (and therefore highly visible & a vandal magnet) for 5 years and he said he's only had one minor incident in the last two years but it had been a problem previously.

Anyway, I suppose the gist of this ramble is - let's talk up Rivelin & encourage more newbies! It's such a pretty spot and the 'new' Cafe owners make cakes to die for :D . It's so much easier to face that extra hour of digging and broken glass collection if there's some top notch carbo-loading in the offing!

Hi StPears

Which plot is yours then? I have one on the allotments just down from there so mine backs onto them. Mines the one with the new fence posts in and by the end of this weekend the new fence:D

Hi Sanman

I'm on Plot 28 & will probably be around this weekend if the cold I've been carrying all week doesn't worsen. My thighs are just about recovered from last weekend's efforts - so time to punish them some more!

My personal 'crusade' is already starting to snowball. Some friends have taken the next door plot (sight unseen - the fools) and a work colleague, who has neglected the plot he inherited from his grandfather at Rodney Hill, has been shamed into promising to get stuck in this year. I made him aware of the size of the waiting list and how much blood I was willing to draw to relieve him of the plot if he didn't pull his finger out !

Did you sort out your manure needs?

Hi StPears

I will definately be down on the allotment on Saturday to finish the fence, put some cloches out to warm up the soil and maybe dig a bit more up.

I live 5 minutes walk from the allotments on Rodney Hill and am about 27th on the waiting list:mad: tell your mate to use it or lose it:P

I do have access to some horse manure (I have 3 horses), but don't have a trailer etc to be able to get it to the allotment. It looks like I'm going to have to bag it up and cart it down there in the car.

If your around on Saturday pop up and see us, we'll put the kelly kettle on:thumbsup:

Is that Fort Sanman I passed as I left the site yesterday? Very nice, very shiny! I notice you've left room for a moat, then all you'll need is a few embrasures for repelling vandals!

I'm sticking with the 'low profile, hope you're not noticed and don't leave anything on site that you can't afford to lose' tactic for now. If anyone wants to break in and dig up my *&*&*&%$! brambles, they're more than welcome.

Talking of which, I broke my fork yesterday. It was a pricey Wilkinson Sword effort too. Bought on the basis that you shouldn't skimp on tools & should always get the best you can afford etc. Bad choice, complaint e-mail already on it's way and a trip to Wilkos for a cheapo replacement in the offing.....

Talking of which, I broke my fork yesterday. It was a pricey Wilkinson Sword effort too. Bought on the basis that you shouldn't skimp on tools & should always get the best you can afford etc. Bad choice, complaint e-mail already on it's way and a trip to Wilkos for a cheapo replacement in the offing.....

Last year I also broke a wilkinson sword fork whilst trying to remove some stubborn bramble roots from a friends allotment. They can't be that good after all.

Hi StPears

That's the one:D I don't think we'll get any trouble, it was just to deter the passing lout. The area in front of the fence will be for the compost heap etc, if anyone wants to steal that then they're welcome. On tools I bought and azada and right angle fork fromhttp://www.get.digging.co.uk, they are certainly a back saver:thumbsup:

Hello folks - I'm in plot 395 down by the mill pond if anyone sees me working feel free to say hello. It's the weed-covered mess with half a burnt-down shed at the bottom. *shame*

I should be planting in some hedging this weekend if the ground isn't frozen - the plot is completely open at the moment, but hopefully this should help keep out those up to no good. If anyone's got any tips on securing allotments against riff-raff I'd love to hear them.

Try not to use anything flammable:D That's why I've gone down the cuurugated iron sheeting route with optional machine gun nests and mine field

We should be down on plot 390 near the millpond this weekend edwardc - it will only be our third visit so still a lot to do! We have a massive greenhouse/shed/death trap to deal with as well.
Some time last week someone got in our plot too (something to do with the lack of gate methinks?) and set fire to the cr*p that has been dumped at the back over the past few years. Great.
I think for the moment we will go down the route of least resistance - nothing left on site! Obviously nothing planted yet either so not much to lose. I think the more often people are there the better - it'll be a long haul!

If the weather's decent on Sunday, I'll be out with some of my friends who have agreed to volunteer, so if you see us come over and say hello. I'll be bringing down some of my old camping gear so we will have tea-making facilities on site, too :)

I should be planting in some hedging this weekend if the ground isn't frozen - the plot is completely open at the moment, but hopefully this should help keep out those up to no good. If anyone's got any tips on securing allotments against riff-raff I'd love to hear them.

We've given up on ours, partly due to the riff-raff. The problem with hedges is that they just hide the allotment from casual eyes - so people can go on there and do what the want without people seeing...

Vandalism doesn't seem to be a problem where I am (151 up near the bottom of Hagg Lane) finding an allotment that doesn't resemble a jungle is:D

If the weather's decent on Sunday, I'll be out with some of my friends who have agreed to volunteer, so if you see us come over and say hello. I'll be bringing down some of my old camping gear so we will have tea-making facilities on site, too :)

Will do edwardc - the more the merrier :thumbsup:

Hey all, just thought I'd say that we're on plot 380 near the millpond and are planning to do some hedging this weekend also. In case you're wondering, we're the ones with the greenhouse which has finally fallen down! It would be great to chat with anyone else down there, so please feel free to stop and have a chat.

Ed if you've got people coming to help, do they fancy babysitting as Alex will be coming too? If we don't make it down til sunday, we can bring your plants with us.
Jo

Vandalism doesn't seem to be a problem where I am (151 up near the bottom of Hagg Lane) finding an allotment that doesn't resemble a jungle is:D

Ah, we were right next to the footpath on the bottom corner of that row. It wasn't that much of a jungle (only weeds, not trees :rolleyes: ) too many beercans left behind though :(

Hi there

I'm new to this site and wanting any advice re an allotment plot in rivelin. My partner and i are thinking of renting one close to the play ground, cafe etc as we have young children. Are there any areas best avoided re vandles etc or areas less over grown. When we get info through from the council we plan to go down and have a look but it's nice to know as much as poss before we do.

kazbar

Hi there

I'm new to this site and wanting any advice re an allotment plot in rivelin. My partner and i are thinking of renting one close to the play ground, cafe etc as we have young children. Are there any areas best avoided re vandles etc or areas less over grown. When we get info through from the council we plan to go down and have a look but it's nice to know as much as poss before we do.

kazbar

There was a thread about this last year.

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=142184&highlight=allotments

The main problem with renting allotments these days is vandalism. Like some friends of mine who spent about 18 months toiling away building a shed and greenhouse, weeding, planting new stuff etc, only to have the place trashed once it was all up and running. This is why there are so many empty ones nowadays, it's just not worth the expense and hard graft to see it burnt down or smashed up. It's a shame but that's how it is these days.

Hi there

I'm new to this site and wanting any advice re an allotment plot in rivelin. My partner and i are thinking of renting one close to the play ground, cafe etc as we have young children. Are there any areas best avoided re vandles etc or areas less over grown. When we get info through from the council we plan to go down and have a look but it's nice to know as much as poss before we do.

kazbar

Hi and welcome Kazbar! :wave: There are loads of posts on this at the Sheffield Forum Allotment and Gardening Group (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=86), where you'd be very very welcome! In fact, to get you started, look at this (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=142184&page=2&highlight=rivelin).

Can a mod please move this to our site? Cheers!

Don Note: threads merged :thumbsup:

Don Note: threads merged :thumbsup:

Cheers Don, forgot I could merge doh!

Cheers Don, forgot I could merge doh!

:hihi: it's my new found obsession :thumbsup:

Re cris 71.
I was given an unworkable plot on the Sharrard Road site and other plot holders told me to enquire about plot 15. When I asked the allotments office they said this plot had gone but, no one has been near since Christmas 2006. I then asked about plot 21 which had been vacant for about a year and was told I could change to that plot. If that was the case way was I not allocated the better plot in the first instance.

The main problem with renting allotments these days is vandalism. Like some friends of mine who spent about 18 months toiling away building a shed and greenhouse, weeding, planting new stuff etc, only to have the place trashed once it was all up and running. This is why there are so many empty ones nowadays, it's just not worth the expense and hard graft to see it burnt down or smashed up. It's a shame but that's how it is these days.

That's why we stopped.

The closer the plot is to the playground/cafe the more likely it is to get vandalised, as they don't have to walk as far to trash it :rolleyes:

Hi, just wondering if anyone can give me a hand finding plot 366 in Rivelin, I've trudged around till dark looking for it thanks to the very 'useful' maps the council provided me with. I have to admit i was a little disheartened after seeing the plots but hopefully it'll be a project and by the sound os this thread their is plenty of people in the same boat.

Does anyone know what happened to the allotments which usd to be behind Marlcliffe School, off Harris rd? They all looked overgrown and unused last time I was around there. There used to be a lot of allotments off Middlewood rd too, but they have been built on now :(

I thought that there was a law that councils couldn't reduce the number of allotments as there had to be one for everyone who asked - an old law going back to the time when everyone used to grow their own food?

Hi we are looking at getting an allottment at rivelin. Just waiting for the map to arrive. Reading this thread has made me have a bit of a rethink though. Do you think they are safe enough for young children to be on? It wll just be me and the kids on it most days. I am expecting at first that it will need clearing of dangerous rubbish so off course the kids wont be with me then.

Not sure why the kids would be unsafe after you'd cleared the glass and other dangerous rubbish. (Though this will probably be quite a job in itself). The guy who has recently taken the plot opposite me often has his young kids with him & they had a firework party there too by the looks of things. I took a plot on the far side of the batch nearest the cafe early this year and have had one instance of theft so far, though it was before I put a door on the entrance. (Someone took my shallots; my very first crop too!) That said, the 'oldtimers' I've spoken to seem to think vandalism etc. has declined in recent years - but it will always be an issue. All you can do is make the plot as secure as possible, never leave anything there you can't afford to lose and hope!

On a more positive note, many plots of virgin rainforest, errm.... I mean 'allotments' have been taken at Rivelin this year. We seem to be getting a bit of a comunity going. Higher occupancy means more allotmenteers around and less chance of agro. So, take a deep breath, be prepared for lots of back-breaking work, especially during the initial clearance stage, and get stuck in. Good Luck!

Hi,

we took an allotment on Hagg Hill in March and we have a 5 year old who loves it. She has her own area where she planted some stuff and because it had some tree's in it we kept one and she has a tyre swing. As long as they have lots to do they are perfectly fine, no more unsafe than a garden once you've got rid of all any rubbish. Have fun !!

Welcome to allotmenting at Rivelin.

I cannot see too many problems for your children down on the site. I have often spent time down there on my own, both during the day and evenings and have yet to encounter any problems. It has helped having more and more plots taken. The row we are on was pretty vacant when we started, but numbers have flourshed and it has been good seeing familiar faces and exchanging progress stories.

We've had one minimal piece of vandalism, when we reckon some kids tried pulling down part of the stone wall my other half had built, and had a few leeks taken, but no specific problems. We haven't put a door on ours, as others that have, have had their doors broken in to see what's behind.

Good luck and let us know your progress.

Claire (176)

Vandalism doesn't seem to be a problem where I am (151 up near the bottom of Hagg Lane) finding an allotment that doesn't resemble a jungle is:D

Hi i am just around the corner from you.I love my allotment. I have had it since the end of july and it was a dump.But now i have even got veg groing. Ill look out for you next time im down there. Mark.

Go for it . I have a 16 year old and a 13 year old. The 13 year old often comes and helps with the weeding,digging,its so rewarding when you actually eat stuff you have grown. My sons cant beleive the difference in the taste of our veg and the shop bought stuff.Give it a go.Mark.

Hi Sanman

I'm on Plot 28 & will probably be around this weekend if the cold I've been carrying all week doesn't worsen. My thighs are just about recovered from last weekend's efforts - so time to punish them some more!

My personal 'crusade' is already starting to snowball. Some friends have taken the next door plot (sight unseen - the fools) and a work colleague, who has neglected the plot he inherited from his grandfather at Rodney Hill, has been shamed into promising to get stuck in this year. I made him aware of the size of the waiting list and how much blood I was willing to draw to relieve him of the plot if he didn't pull his finger out !

Did you sort out your manure needs?

Sorry for butting in to your conversation, but i live near that post office,on birley rise road,and my allotment is at riverlin,what a coincidence.Please get in touch.Im sure we could do some swaps or go for a coffee at the cafe and have a chat.M Willcox.

Does anyone know what happened to the allotments which usd to be behind Marlcliffe School, off Harris rd? They all looked overgrown and unused last time I was around there. Harris Road! We are on the list for there, fifth on the list, but what is so very frustrating is that you walk through and there are definately more than five plots overgrown and unused... :rant: Ringing the allotment office and they aren't too proactive! They say they serve eviction notices and then people say "oh but we are cultivating the plot" ... yeah, with what? Brambles??!
.

Hi we have had a letter through and been offered allotment 77 at rivelin. Anyone know where it is?

Thanks

Oh my word. I think I found it and its a jungle hehehe. Should be fun im sure. :D

HI

there are lots of allotments available off tinker lane, half way up turnright along the path`s they are not council so you can keep livestock or grow veggies

How do you get hold of one? Who do you need to contact? Would love an allotment anywhere!