General

The allotments are situated on Church Field, The Moor, Carlton, on land owned by the Diocese of St Albans. The Field is administered by the Carlton Garden and Allotment Society (CGAS). The Committee of the Society reviews and reprints the guidelines annually and any problems with the guidelines can be raised at the Society’s AGM. Application for the tenancy of a plot, and payment of the rent, indicates acceptance of these guidelines.

The current rent is £1 per pole which is paid to the Diocese (less a 10% handling charge). The handling charge is retained by the Society and contributes towards insurance, upkeep of the field etc. Plot holders are also required to be members of the Society - subscription £2.00 or £2.50p.a. depending on whether the plot holder has individual or family membership.

Plots are normally rented from October to October and rents should be paid at the Annual Show in August, or if is this not possible at or before the AGM in October. An invoice will be sent to each plot holder with the Summer newsletter. Payment should be made to the Treasurer (Louise Roberts, 2,Carriers Way). It is the responsibility of the plot holder to see that the rent is paid. The Treasurer should not need to chase after members!.

If a plot is taken over before the beginning of May (i.e. before the beginning of the growing season) the full year’s rent is due. For plots taken over later a discount may be negotiated.

Other expenses which are incurred as we are a ‘village organisation’ and support village events.

There is no such thing as a ‘standard allotment’ at Carlton. Allotment size is flexible as plots are rented per pole.

4. Sheds, greenhouses and other gardening-related structures can be constructed on the plots but their safety and security remain the responsibility of the plot holder. The Society is not responsible for any damage or loss of items left on the allotments.

5. Livestock may not be kept on the plots. Any dogs brought on to the allotments must be kept under strict control.

6. The Allotment Field is not a playground. Children should be encouraged to learn about gardening and they are welcome on site when they are assisting members with their plots and learning new skills - however they should always be supervised by a responsible adult who must ensure that they do not wander on to other members’ plots and do not cause damage.

A plot holder is responsible for keeping his allotment in a reasonable condition. An allotment is not to be used as a place to dump material that is not of any obvious use in growing plants or maintaining an allotment. If we leave junk on site it may encourage flytippers to add even more. Plot holders should try to prevent ‘their’ weeds from seeding and affecting other people’s plots. They must be aware that if their plot is neglected and becomes overrun with perennial weeds it will be a long and difficult job for the next tenant to bring it back into reasonable condition. If a plot holder has difficulties we will try to help but if the weed situation is dire the committee reserves the right to take action (such as calling in a professional gardener with the necessary equipment to clear the weeds) and have the bill sent to the plot holder.

Take care if using chemical sprays, do not allow spray drift. Ensure that containers of spray do not drip. Treat water used to rinse spray containers as potentially toxic.

Consider other plot holders! If you have any disagreements with neighbouring plot holders try to settle them amicably, only involve the committee as a last resort.

Plot holders should be mindful of the instruction given by the Borough Council that green garden waste should be composted and not burnt. However when plot holders find it necessary to dispose of small amounts of woody prunings or diseased plant material they should utilise the communal bonfire heap in the Allotment Field. This material will be burnt by a designated allotment member with assistance if required, when the material is dry and the wind is blowing from an appropriate direction. Bonfires must be in a cleared area, well away from hedges or any property (our Insurance states a distance of 10 metres) and should only be lit when the wind is blowing away from adjacent houses (bonfire smoke has caused aggravation to local residents and brings the Allotment Society into disrepute). Any fires must be kept under observation until they have burnt out. Unofficial bonfires are not covered by our insurance and the individual lighting them is solely responsible for any damage or nuisance caused.

Obviously the only material that can be burnt on the Allotment Field is gardening-related waste and no furniture or household material or anything generating toxic fumes may be added to allotment bonfires.

There is a public right of way across the allotment field which must be kept clear at all times. There are also pathways between the plots which enable the tenants of plots further from the main path to reach their allotments. Please ensure that your neighbours have reasonable access to their plots and do not block their passage with tools, debris etc. Failure to leave paths clear invalidates our Insurance policy. There should always be at least a barrow width on an access path so that compost etc can be brought in. Be very careful not to damage anything if walking along the edge of another plot.

There is no piped water on the allotment field. Water from a stream is available at your own risk - be careful on the banks. Do not pollute the stream and keep it clear of debris.

The uncultivated area is mown to keep the field tidy and to provide less cover for rabbits. The number of cuts necessary depends to a certain extent on the weather, and how much the grass grows during the year, but on average we need 3 cuts.

Most other maintenance is done on do-it-yourself basis to keep costs down, more help is always welcome.

NSALG represents allotment holders nationally and affiliation indicates our support for the movement. As members of NSALG we also have access to legal information and advice on allotment issues and appropriate insurance - we get our insurance through NSALG.

NSALG produces quarterly magazines and the CGAS receives copies - any member wishing to be put on the circulation list please notify the secretary.

There are a number of CGAS events during the year - the AGM in October, a Plant Sale and Coffee Morning in May and the Show in August. Please support them !

The main committee of the CGAS deals with the running the Allotment Field and general Society issues. There is a special Show Subcommittee, which concentrates on planning and running the Show. More volunteers for either committee would be welcome.

Further information about the Society, and the Show, can be found on the Society’s website, which can be accessed from the Carlton Village website (www.carltonwithchellington.co.uk)

If any plotholder neglects his plot over a period of years so as to cause it to deteriorate, dumps junk on it or otherwise causes a nuisance to other plotholders or adjacent householders, the Committee reserves the right, as a last resort and after a written warning has been sent, to refuse to renew the tenancy of their allotment.