Frequently Asked Questions.
If your question cannot be answered here then please use the 'Contact Us' page and we will endeavour to answer your question within 48 hours. The committee is run by volunteers and there will be times when specific committee members are not be able to respond at short notice. The internet is quick but holidays and work commitments may slow down individual people.
Is there a waiting list and if so, how long (roughly)?
Who owns the land and who oversees its upkeep?
Would I be expected to do anything over and above tending my plot as a DAG member?
- Obviously this is something of a moving target. People join and people leave and expresions of interest are recieved quite regularly. Please contact us to express an interest.
- This is in line with most, if not all, constituted allotment groups/societies and enables the committee to maintain the site to good order and also to maintain any communal machinery.
- Please review the membership page for full details.
- Not very often! As long as members pay the required plot fee on time (November each year) providing a revenue to allow the committee to maintain the site. Any increases in plot fee must be agreed at the AGM.
- Owning a plot is a commitment and the plot should be well maintained at all times.
- It is a fact of life that sometimes priorities lie elsewhere and you will not have the time to fully maintain the plot.
- Please let the committee know if this is going to be the case and if at all possible please let them know how long the plot will remain idle. Use the contact us page to advise.
- As a minimum please try to keep weeds at bay, possibly covering the area of land to suppress weed growth.
- This is taken from the RULES, issued to all new plot holders. "Cultivate their allotment for fruit, flowers and vegetables according to the principles of environmentally friendly gardening. By environmentally friendly the DAG understands that no artificial, chemically based fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides may be used. Methods of pest control must be approved by the Committee."
- Also from the RULES. Plot holders cannot grow plants to produce illegal substances or grow trees other than fruit trees. Plot holders cannot grow crops for commercial purposes.
- If you have a full plot or a half plot then you are entitled to apply to the committee for a shed/greenhouse/polytunnel.
- The committee will discuss the application and consider the size of the structure and whether it would cause issue with adjacent plots like casting shadows or water run-off..
- This is taken from the RULES, issued to all new plot holders. "Cultivate their allotment for fruit, flowers and vegetables according to the principles of environmentally friendly gardening. By environmentally friendly the DAG understands that no artificial, chemically based fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides may be used. Methods of pest control must be approved by the Committee.
- The allotment should be enjoyed by all, and children are, of course, welcome. However, children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and it is the responsibility of the adult to impress safety aspects of an allotment environment.
- There are a few members of the DAG who have, as an additional hobby, chickens and bee hives. The bees and chickens are not 'communal'.
- Currently there is only one supplier who is willing to provide a commercial discount - DOUNE WOODYARD will provide 10% discount (ask the committee for a discount card)
- There is a single communal shed which has limited space and, currently, all spaces are taken. If you wish to keep tools on your plot then you are more than welcome to do so.
- To safeguard your tools from the elements it would be a good idea to have a sturdy box or container.
- There is a second shed which houses heavy tools, strimmers, rotovator, lawn mower. These can be used by any plot holder AT YOUR OWN risk if you are competent to use such tools. If using any communal tools/equipment please clean and return to the shed at the end of the day.
- A member of the committee (usually the membership secretary) will show anyone who expresses an interest around the allotment.
- If all fees are paid and the allotment is maintained then the tenure is indefinite.
- It is only fair that plots are allocated to people who have the commitment and the energy to maintain and successfully cultivate crops.
- The committee are duty bound to ensure the true spirit of owning a plot is adhered to and there are therefore regular checks.
- If you own a plot and you find yourself unable to maintain it for any length of time then please let the committee know rather than the committee finding neglect and contacting you to seek remedial action.
- There is a health and safety aspect to the plot inspections too. The committee will perform simple visual checks of fencing and out-buildings as well as plots.
- When plots are neglected weeds flourish and seeds disperse. This is annoying to adjacent plot holders.
Who owns the land and who oversees its upkeep?
Would I be expected to do anything over and above tending my plot as a DAG member?
- It is vitally important that you maintain your plot and path border which can take up a lot of time.
- If you feel you could give more time to the allotment site in general then by all means please tidy a path or remove some weeds that border the footpaths.
- The committee are always looking for new members to volunteer for maintenance jobs - please take a look at the Volunteer Page.
- There are currently three committee members who have the responsibility to ensure all water tanks are topped up on a regular basis.
- Water is drawn from a burn behind the allotment and should never run dry.
- If the taps run dry please use the Contact Us form to advise or approach a committee member as a matter of urgency.
- There are three emergency water butts behind the summer house.
- There is a Facebook Group with a membership restricted to DAG members only.