Page 59 - ALG Issue 2 2021

Shrivenham Allotment Gardens Association
A new
member’s
journey
It was in mid-2019 that the Parish Council, as our landlord, agreed that plotholders could form an association.
Jenny Crawford, our Southern Regional Representative, kindly accepted an invitation in September of that year to speak to allotmenteers on the benefits of membership with the National Allotment Society (NAS) and to give advice on how to proceed. By early 2020 we had formed a committee, had our first meeting, and were ready to go. And then something happened that rather slowed down the impetus: lockdown. The remainder of the year was spent liaising with the council and marketing the idea with plotholders.
The Shrivenham Allotment Gardens Association (SAGA) was formed on the 8th January 2021, the date about half of all allotmenteers became affiliate group members of the NAS. We hope that more will apply for affiliate membership next year when the benefits are realised.
We have a full committee, a constitution and a bank account, although the latter took some time due to banks saying they would not open new accounts during the pandemic. Our main aims are to promote the interests of all members in their gardening activities, take joint action for the benefit of
all members, and to develop links with Shrivenham Parish Council as landowner to promote the allotments, develop allotment facilities and governance, and protect them.
The council manages the site including plot allocation, water supply, hedge trimming, main pathway cuts and other general maintenance. SAGA is liaising with the council on various suggestions that could enhance the viability of the site and is exploring outlets to raise funds for use in the future for other projects that would benefit plotholders.
The site is in the centre of the village.
It has a total of 105 plots of various sizes, five water points, a car park and
a secure perimeter. The council allows a maximum of five plots for chickens. Recent housing developments have increased the uptake of plots, and a waiting list (the first for a few years) may soon be a reality. There are now very encouragingly some younger families and individual plotholders bringing through the next generations. It has been a treat to be able to continue allotment gardening during lockdowns – good for health, body and mind, not forgetting the real satisfaction of eating your own fresh produce direct from soil to plate.
SAGA initiated a monthly newsletter for members. Our first event was a seed
It has a
total of 105 plots of various sizes, five water points, a car park and a secure perimeter
swop, and a bulk purchase with Kings Seeds is planned for the autumn. We plan to hold social meetings, daytrips and talks when conditions allow. We are planning to hold our first AGM in the summer in the hope that members of SAGA will then be able to meet in person.
The help and advice given during the formation of SAGA by Lisa at the NAS and Hugo at Kings Seeds should not be underestimated – thank you.
John Lloyd SAGA
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 59