Page 46 - ALG Issue 3 2024

SOUTH EAST
OATLANDS
1914-1919 War Memorial Charity Allotments
If you’re travelling along Oatlands Drive in Weybridge, you probably won’t realise that there’s a vibrant allotment site behind the large gates, just before the recreation ground.
The allotments were established
during World War I under war-time arrangements sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, and in 1919 they were sold to the War Memorial Trustees so that they could be linked up with the already established War Memorial recreation ground next door.The allotment site remains under the ownership and management of the Oatlands 1914-1919 War Memorial Charity.
There are 56 plots of various sizes on the site, and there’s a good mix of established plotholders and brand new tenants. Rents are paid in December, so there is usually some turnover of plots at that time.This year, 10 new allotmenteers have taken on plots – they’ve made a great start!
We joined the NAS as an Association earlier this year and our affiliate members are enjoying the benefits, including discounted Kings Seeds, which they are ordering online directly, dispensing with the need for a seed secretary.
Jobs around the site are shared out between a number of people, and there’s
a great community spirit.We have a
team who keep the site (particularly the main paths) looking neat and tidy. Plot reallocations, inspections and all the other jobs which need doing, are managed by the
Admin Team.
We don’t have an on-site shop, but
through our WhatsApp group, we organise pre-ordered bulk buys of items such as compost, manure and seed potatoes. Volunteers gladly help with truck unloading and distribution of bags.
The major development this year has been the renovation of a large polytunnel which is now available to all plotholders. It’s been packed with seedlings over the spring and is proving to be a community focal point on the site. A formal opening (an excuse to meet up for tea and cake!) was held in March.
This year, at the request of the on-site team, the trustees updated our regulations to prohibit the use of chemical herbicides. The soil in our area is generally sandy, so mulching and soil improvement keeps us busy outside the main growing season. Many of us have switched some or all of our growing areas to No Dig, and we are now focusing on recycling any materials suitable for this method of gardening. For example, grass clippings are now piled
up for plotholders to take as one of their ‘green layers’ and we regularly have wood chippings delivered for free on-site by local tree surgeons.We have a sharing table to encourage the sharing of items which can
be recycled, as well as spare fruit and veg. Being a relatively small allotment site,
we’ve found that regular communication amongst the group is easiest via a group WhatsApp.There will often be messages (for example) confirming that the polytunnel has been opened up or closed for the night and other helpful updates. Frost warnings are always useful, as well as announcements of ‘wood chippings now on-site!’We’ve found it really works well to keep the community in touch with what’s going on.We also revamped our website earlier this year and started an allotment Facebook group.
We use a fantastic system called Membermojo to maintain all of our plotholder records. It enables us to keep records of tenants and plots, to send out automated payment requests for rent and other items and take card payments via the Stripe payment system. It also includes a handy group email function.
We’re very lucky to have such a well-managed site with great community spirit. Do come and visit us if you are in the Weybridge area!
46 | Issue 3 2024 | Allotment and Leisure Gardener
Welcome to...
Oatlands 1914-1919 Mem Charity 8 Individuals