New members

Welcome to the Bridge Allotments!

The site is made up from 14 separate allotments – many of which are sub divided into smaller plots. Plots are used for growing vegetables, fruit and flowers for domestic use but commercial use is prohibited.

Access to the site is through the double gate – you will be given the code to the padlock once your tenancy agreement has been signed and returned. The code to the gate should not be shared with others. There is room for approximately 3 cars in the car park with additional parking on the High Street – the High Street does get busy especially at school times. The site should be kept secure and the gate locked with the combination lock – making sure that the release code is scrambled when left. The gate should be secured using the bolts when open.

We ask all plot holders to be considerate to our neighbours and make sure bonfires are not lit if the wind takes smoke towards their properties.

There is a woodchip store in the car park, which members can use for mulching and pathways – this is periodically added to by a local tree surgeon. The annual delivery of manure is in autumn/early winter (but is dependent on availability). There are wheelbarrows that are available for use by members – these are located by the woodchip pile. When collecting woodchip and manure be sure to leave it tidy and clear with the wheelbarrows upside down so they don’t collect rainwater.

A plan of the allotments can be found here – the main paths that are marked on the map can be used by members to move around the site but generally the paths contained on each plot are not open access. Plot holders are asked to keep their boundaries clear, weed-free and to mow the main public paths adjacent to their plot.

Each plot has the use of a shed (one shed serves 2 full size plots), when a plot has been sub divided there is shared use of the shed.

There is a standpipe for water located next to each shed – you will see that there is a hose attached for filling up watering cans – detach this after use so that it is easy to see if a tap has been left on by accident. You can attach a hosepipe to the standpipe for watering but we do encourage rainwater collection and use.

The sheds are painted every 2 years by the tenants – with the wood treatment supplied by the association. Maintenance of the sheds – replacement of roofs, wood panels, etc is agreed by the committee and either undertaken by members or a contractor is used. Members are responsible for the maintenance inside the shed and providing a padlock and keys (keys should be provided to all those using the shed). Please note the contents of your shed is not covered by the Association’s insurance and is your responsibility.

There is a lawnmower store on the site which is also secured by a combination lock – you will be given the code on return of your signed tenancy agreement. You will be given a practical demo on how to use the mower as part of your induction.

You will also find copies of the National Allotment Association magazine in the lawn mower shed – feel free to take away but return for others to enjoy.

Spare plants and excess produce are left by members at the side of the first shed bordering the car park (attached to plots 13 and 14) – be sure to help yourself or leave any plants or produce you have spare for other members. Any plants that remain unclaimed after 1 week should be cleared.

There are periodic plot inspections by Committee members of each plot on the site – more information can be found here https://www.bridge-allotments.co.uk/plot-inspections/

You will receive a copy of the Bridge Allotment Association newsletter approx. every 2 months – this provides information on updates on the site, upcoming social events, recipes from members, links to interesting articles, etc. If you have any articles, recipes, gardening related things for sale please send them through to bridgeallotments.secretary@gmail.com

Ad hoc emails are also sent – circulating Committee Meeting minutes, links to the National Association of Allotments publications, seed offers, updates on pests or diseases on the plot – so please keep an eye on your inbox.