We got the offer of an allotment on Saturday! It's at Meersbrook, down at the bottom and it's in a RIGHT state!!

Sooo .... I'm hoping to get advice from the SF allotment group on ..... where to start! We haven't got the keys yet, so we can't actually get clearing yet.

I think it's a great time of year to get it, and hoping to clear at least a space so we can get things in and started, then clear the rest.

Hoorayyyyyy!

Hi Samstar,

Sounds like we're on the same site (if you mean the massive site at the end of Meerbrook Rd - technically called Heeley and District but the allotment office calls it Meersbrook). Which plot is it you've ben offered? When you say down the bottom do you mean near to Rose Cottage? If so it's lovely down there - you get owls hooting in the trees (good for keeping rats in the compost bin under control) and the fox comes and sunbathes on the grassy areas. There are also bullfinches, woodpeckers, tree creepers, sparrowhawks and we've had pheasants on our plot but probably not anymore now that there is a fence down there. We're number 149 if you feel like saying hello.

Hello!

It's not as far down as Rose Cottage, it's number 73. I haven't got the map with me so can't tell you which entrance is closest. It seems quiet down there and a bit more sheltered than the higher up ones.

It is V daunting at the moment, but I think I'll just have to view it as a long term project and not expect myself to being growing enough to fill Tescos by the summer!

Sarah at the allotment office (council) said that Meersbrook allotment Society may be able to help newbies .... how long have you had yours and what state was it in? Yes, we'll wander along to 149 when we're up there - hopefully yoiu might be able to share a few wisdoms with us!

S

Hi there Sam, I'm also at Meersbrook - I got my plot in Nov / Dec 05. Mine was terrible too when I took it over, but its not doing bad now. I'm further up than you, near to the car park (from the entrance at Hall Lees Road).

Join the association at the shop and you'll be able to get lots of things very reasonably priced ... with a bit of digging you'll be just in time to plant some potatoes (Good Friday) :)

Hi MC - yes, seven weeks digging and chitting (?) of potatoes! I read that Good Friday is the traditional time to get them in. I'd be delighted if I grew some spuds and tomatoes this year -and just look at it as an ongoing project. We have to build a shed/greenhouse - and being not very practical it'll be a bodge job (if it even stands up!)
Thanks for the advice on the pond, I guess that means just bailing it out with buckets and shovels ... nice!
Well, we're on plot 73 so maybe we'll say hello in person one day!
Sam

Just looked on the map, you're slightly more central than us. Might mean that you are less troubled by squirrels and pidgeons. Looks like you're just down from Andy and Roberto who I think are 75 and 76 (ish).

Agree with MC that you should join the association (approx £2). The shop is cheap and getting a bit more organic too and it needs a bit of support. Come along to a society meeting (first Sunday of every month at 11:15 at the society shop) and get to know a few people. Might pop over and say hello if you're around at the weekend.

Could I just ask if you've received your allotment starter pack and if so was there a welcome sheet included form the Meersbrook association? We asked the allotment office to include one.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

Hello low_carbon

I will deff join the association - one of the lovely things about allotments I think is the community spirit and I'd like to be part of that.

We're planning to come up on Saturday to start clearing stuff - I think we'll just be dragging off the old weeds in a starter area - and from the brick base of the greenhouse/shed, to see what we've got there. (we might not have the key yet but can scramble in side of door). I'm pretty daunted but then I know most people got theirs in a bad state, including some friends of ours who got in a year last August and they've had decent crops already.

I've a friend in Manc who's an allotmenteer and she was shocked at the state of ours. They get chucked off in a month or so if they're not working them. That's one thing I'd like to campaign for - better management of the plots so they don't go to wrack and ruin.

Might make your acquaintance soon then!?
Sam

PS - haven't had welcome sheet from association, but they are including it apparently.

Hello low_carbon

I will deff join the association - one of the lovely things about allotments I think is the community spirit and I'd like to be part of that.

That's one thing I'd like to campaign for - better management of the plots so they don't go to wrack and ruin.

Might make your acquaintance soon then!?
Sam

PS - haven't had welcome sheet from association, but they are including it apparently.

Good news about the welcome sheet and glad that you'll also be joining the society. The Sheffield Allotment Federation has monthly meetings where these kind of things are discussed. I think the next one is Mon 18th Feb at the centre in the Park (Norfolk Park).

Sheffield Allotment Advisory group meetings are where the Allotment Fed meets with councillors and Parks and Woodlands managers to discuss these issues. The next meeting is tackling the issue of notices to quit and eviction notices. We're trying to make the process more transparent so hoping for some progress on these issues. There were nearly 90 plots on our site in June that were not being worked at all but were being rented. We're trying to stop this happening.

LC,. meant to mention it sooner, have you seen the progress next door to me ... looking pretty good :) I have high hopes.

LC,. meant to mention it sooner, have you seen the progress next door to me ... looking pretty good :) I have high hopes.

Great news MC, I'll come and have a look - there is loads of activity down at my end and some sterling efforts to clear some very overgrown plots. All very encouraging.

Hi LC, just to let you know that there was no welcome sheet from the Meersbrook associaton in the pack we got from SCC. I went to the office in Meersbrook park and I did mention it but I wasn't given one. I don't know if you want to have a word about it with them?

When is the allotment shop open? Just at weekends?

Can't make the meeting this eve but would love to hear about it.

Sam

Hi LC, just to let you know that there was no welcome sheet from the Meersbrook associaton in the pack we got from SCC. I went to the office in Meersbrook park and I did mention it but I wasn't given one. I don't know if you want to have a word about it with them?

When is the allotment shop open? Just at weekends?

Can't make the meeting this eve but would love to hear about it.

Sam

Hi Sam,

Sorry you didn't get a welcome letter with your pack. I suspect the problem is that the admin staff are in a bit of a pickle, I've sent it to John Martin twice already but will try to contact the office about it. Came down to your plot but no-one around.

The shop is open Thursday and Sunday (10-11am). It's run voluntarily by Pete who does a great job but could do with a hand. He's got a sign up asking for help.

I couldn't make the Fed meeting either. The Fed are working on a website where we'd be able to make the minutes etc available; but it's taking a while. I'm trying to set up a Heeley and District website so could host them there too - when I get it finished.

By the way the allotmetn office unhelpfuly call our site 'Meersbrook' but it is really 'Heeley and District'

Hi LC - just to let you know - we did get sent the welcome letter - Sarah sent it the other day. Maybe you had a word!
We've had loads going on these last couple of weeks so haven't made it yet. Should be there on Saturday. We'll not be digging for a while though as there is soooo much pulling up to do.
S

Hi Sam,

Sarah in the office says she's sent out the welcome letters with the allotment info pack. They're going to send it with the offer letter in future so you get it sooner.

I'll try to get down on Saturday too so may see you then. Remember to concentrate on a smallish area first and get something planted. The allotment officer will want to see some sign that you're cultivating it.