Hughenden Parish Council has eight allotments sites within the Parish comprising more than 250 individual plots.  Allotments are very popular and some tenants have been successfully cultivating their plots for many years. There are currently vacancies at most allotment sites. 

The 8 allotment sites are listed below:

Red Lion Allotment

Cryers Hill Allotment

Hughenden Valley Allotment

North Dean Allotment

Louches Lane Allotment

Walters Ash Allotment

Windmill Lane Allotment

Primrose Hill Allotment

Allotment News - February 2019 ? 

Vacant Plot Clearance ⛏️

Spruced-Up will be working on behalf of Hughenden Parish Council at allotment gardens clearing vacant plots.  Work begins today and is expected to continue for at least one week.  Since the end of the growing season, the ground has been too wet and soft to bring vehicles and machinery on site but the recent fine dry weather has created an opportunity to make progress before spring.

Vacant plots were strimmed in the autumn.  This week surface rubbish will be removed and vacant plot surfaces levelled.  Where possible, skips will be delivered on site to collect and remove waste from site.  Spruced -Up will use a small digger to clear the plots.  If deemed necessary under health and safety,  Spruced-Up will close the allotment while working on site.  Please stay well clear of operations and allow the contractors space to operate.  The operation will be managed by Richard Jeffries of Spruced-Up and myself.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or if I’m not on site, telephone the parish council office on 01494 715296.  I apologise in advance for the disruption and I hope that you agree that some short term disruption is worthwhile.  Once the vacant plots have been cleared and levelled most will be laid to grass.  A small number of plots at each site will be prepared ready for cultivation by new tenants.  With almost 50 vacant plots and no waiting list it doesn’t currently make sense to prepare all vacant plots for cultivation.  The grassed vacant plots once established will be cut on a monthly basis.

Work will take place in the order listed below (number of vacant plots listed in brackets):

Louches Lane (12)

Hughenden Valley (9)

Primrose Hill (10)

Cryers Hill (8)

Red Lion (4)

Windmill Lane (2)

North Dean (1) 

There are no vacant plots at Walters Ash.

After vacant plot clearance, plot markers will be checked and fixed/replaced. 

Annual Allotment Competition 

Please note that judging of this year’s Annual Allotment Competition will take place week commencing 8^th July 2019.  Judging will be broadly the same as last year.  I’ve attached last year’s competition notices to remind you of categories and judging criteria.  As with last time, tenants are invited to enter the competition.  If you don’t wish to take part then that’s fine but we hope that as many tenants as possible will take part.  After all, the annual allotment competition is something of a time honoured tradition in allotment gardening!  I will contact you again once the growing season is well underway with more information about this year’s allotment competition and inviting you to enter.  This is advance notice to aid your plot planning.

Vandalism at Red Lion ☹️

Last week there was vandalism at Red Lion allotment.  Two tenants had their greenhouses broken into, tools were thrown over the site and a poly tunnel ripped.  The same evening there was vandalism nearby at the common and cricket pitch.  The incident has been reported to police.  The car park next to Red Lion allotment and the council office seems to be the location of some anti-social behaviour.  To protect Red Lion allotment which is accessed from the car park I have arranged for a padlock to be attached to the entrance gate.  The padlock combination will be 2512 (Christmas Day).  This is the same combination as the height restriction barrier at the entrance to the car park.  I request that in the interests of security tenants of Red Lion allotment keep the entrance gate closed at all times and padlocked from 5 pm – 9 am.  The Clerk and I will check the gate and padlock on arrival and departure at the office but it really is up to tenants to ensure the security of the site.  Primrose Hill allotment has had a padlock for many years and this works well.  I welcome your feedback as to whether padlocks need to be fitted at other allotment sites.

Water Supply ️

Allotment water supply will be turned on during the first week in March.  Water charges are included in rent.  Please use water sparingly and remember that irrigation systems are strictly forbidden!

National Allotment Society 

Please see the email copied below from the National Allotment Society.  Hughenden Parish Council is a member of the NAS and they have a very good website with lots of useful information.  The theme for 2019 is a ‘Shared Harvest’, follow the link or open the email below in your browser and enjoy a good read!

If you have any questions, answers or useful suggestions I’m always delighted to receive your input ☺️

On behalf of Hughenden Parish Council may I wish you a happy and enjoyable growing season!

Kind regards

Jill

Jill Armshaw

Deputy Clerk

The map below shows the locations of all 8 allotment sites within Hughenden Parish.

Applying for an allotment

Should you wish to apply for an allotment, please use our contact form giving details of your address and the allotment site you are interested in. Due to the popularity of our allotments, you may find that we have a waiting list on some sites. We will gladly take your details and let you know as soon as a plot becomes available.  Residents of Hughenden Parish will be given priority on the waiting list.

Allotment Agreement

All allotment tenants are sent two copies of an Allotment Agreement which details the terms and conditions of tenancy. This document must be signed and one copy returned to the Council Office together with the rental fee.  By signing the Allotment Agreement you confirm that you have read and agree to Hughenden Parish Council's Allotment Regulations.

Reducing the size of your plot

Typically our plots are divided into full and half sized plots and vary in size from one allotment site to another. Should you decide that a full plot is too much, you may be able to move to a half plot or have your full plot sub-divided.

How much does it cost?

Annual rent varies depending on plot size.  Typically, annual rent is £13.00 for a half size plot and £25.00 for a full size plot. Tennancy is renewed on 30th September each year.  Letters are sent to all tennents in early September and rent must be paid by 30th September for tennency to continue.

Giving up your plot

You may end your tennancy at any time, there will be no reimbursement of allotment fees. Make sure you harvest any produce and remove all tools. It is not permitted to transfer tenancy.

Annual Allotment Competition

The Council runs an annual Allotment Competition for the accolade of 'Best Allotment' within the Parish. We also award The Bill Dean Cup which is awarded annually to the Best Allotment Newcomer. This was kindly donated by Ex-Councillor Dean in memory of his father, who was a very keen allotment tennant.

Sheds and Greenhouses

Sheds and greenhouses are permitted on allotments but only with the prior written consent of Hughenden Parish Council.  Please contact the parish council office if you wish to erect any structure on your allotments.

'GROW' - News and Information for Allotment Tenants

Click on the link above to go to 'GROW' - a dedicated page of news and information for Allotment Tenants.