A half page wite up about the possibility of allotments here has been published in the Parish magazine. So far, three locals have asked that their names are put on the list. So we are more than half way to the required six residents! That was easy.

I'll wait a couple of weeks to see how much more support can be drummed up. Into double figures would be good in case anyone drops out.

My village is in Warwickshire and we only have four or five hundred people who live here. So, getting some supporters ...   more »

I've had an allotment for several years but two house moves on and my allotment is now 6 miles away from my house. So, I looked around my very small local village for allotments and found that there were none.

A little bit of research later I cam across the Smallholdings and Allotment Act 1908, a very interesting piece of legislation for gardeners. I won't go into the detail but the quote below sums it up well:

" On a representation in writing to the council of any borough, urban district, or parish, by any six registered parliamentary electors or [F2persons who are liable to pay an amount in respect of council tax] resident in the borough................ are such that it is the duty of the council to take proceedings under this Part of this Act therein, the council shall take such representation into consideration."

According to my understanding of the act, if six or more residents of a parish apply to the parish council for an allotment, it is the duty of the parish council to provide allotments. They don't just have to try to provide allotments, they MUST provide allotments, it's their legal duty. Wow! I thought, I'm not one of those who participate greatly in village life but here's my opportunity to do something for my village and myself at the same time.

That's where I am today, this blog will let you know how I took the acquisition of allotments further. When we get the allotments, and it will take time, I'll also describe how we set them up, how we set up the means of administering them and all the other stuff that happens when you try to set new allotments.

Do you want to set up new allotments in your village? Have you any experience of setting up a new allotment? Any advice before I set out on this path? Let me know by writing your comments in this blog.