NEW MEMBERS
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Allotment Association
www.gygaa.uk
Plot sizes quoted here are as those used by GY&GAA other parts of the country may vary.
GY&GAA Rents are extremely low compared to other sites in the UK
GY&GAA are the only known Allotment Association in the UK to OWN their own land.
The vast majority of OTHER allotment sites across the UK are on land owned and Administered by local Councils OR private landowners who can then set their own rules regs and charges!
The Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Allotment Association (GY&GAA) land holding constitutes some 56 acres accross all 15 sites located throughout the Borough of Great Yarmouth.
Approxmate postcodes (where listed) are indicated on the "Our Sites" logo on the main HOME page to help you choose a location closest to you. You may of course choose any location within the Association Group where vacant plots may be available.
As a Registered Community Association (BY LAW) we have to have a registered "Committee" and a verified rgistered "Constitution", otherwise we cant open or operate a bank account OR Public Liability Insurance. These registrations have to be submitted to and approved by the various government legal authorities ie : the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and our Governing body National Allotment Gardeining Society (NAS)
The 1922 Alotments Act !!
The above act was introduced to protect plotholders from persecution by County Councils by specifying their rights and obligation and making these terms enforceable by Law! This Act protected BOTH parties.
As Gorleston & Great Yarmouth Allottedment Association (Gy&GAA) are wholly owned by its members this 1922 "Act" may prove difficult to apply or enforce in a court of law.
Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Allotment Association are, as has been mentioned many times, probably the only Allotment Association in the UK which is owned entirely by its own "registered" members . We GY&GAA hold the formal deeds to all 54 Acres of our Allotment Land.
GY&GAA are therefore in no way covered by the1922 Act or any jurisdiction by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
For information on aquiring an allotment on one of these GY&GAA sites
Please Cotact te General Srcretary email only please secretarygyandgaa@hotmail.com in the first instance who may get an appropriate site secretary to contact you.
Plot Sizes Explained What constitutes 1 Rod
The "ROD" relates to the average length (5 yards) of the driving whip (rod) a ploughman would tradidionally use to encourage the oxen/horses to "move on"
Illustration showing the ploghman's "ROD" or whip traditionally used
(a throwback to medeival measurements) as an allotment measurement and still generally recogised throuout the UK today
1 Rod =5 yards by 1 linear yard the Approx width of each plot
10 Rods = 50 linear yards Approx Length of each GY&GAA Plot
This plot size giving each tenant roughly a 250 Square yard plot. This when allotments were first conceived (early 1900’s) this was considered sufficient space to cultivate adequate crops to “supplement” an average family over the worst part of the year. It is reliably estimated that a current well cultivated plot with a knolegdable experienced and dedicated gardener may provide in excess of £1000 worth (approx retail values 2019) of produce a year
Many plotholders may apply to hold a second plot (subject to availability) at the site secretary's discresion.
Notwithstanding, an allotment provides an excellent opportunity for healthy excersise and reflects a sound community value
Current legislation determines metres should substitute for yards but as all sizes are only approximate it makes little difference
I hope this info may help to explain our methodolgy
Plot sizes do vary according to shape (some are more wedge shaped) but may still constitute 1 plot
Plot sizes vary across the nation -but the rod measurenent is STILL fairly consistent across the UK. Costs may differ significantly?
GY&GAA 2019 cost of a standard 10 rod plot will cost £36:50 the same plot in Norwich would cost £47:
Please check your site notice boards in January each year -or this website- for current rent charge updates.
With Brexit looming in 2020, WHATEVER the outcome I can virtually guarantee prices of fresh produce may increase dramatically. Making a productive allotment an even more attractive proposition. The 2020 COVID must surely only add significantly to future produce price inreases-and availability
2020's predicted climate changes (TO SAY MOTHING OFTHE COVID IMPACT) ressulting in possible\probable import restrictions on certain fresh produce may make allotments an even more attractive commodity !!
Most successful plotholders devote on average 4 hours a day 3-4 days a week to tending/managing their plot, this would of course vary with weather conditions and seasonal demand . Individuals aspirations and expectations also have some bearing on this.
Please take note the burning of waste is not encouraged
BURNING OF ANY WASTE IS NOW (AS OF 2019 agm) BANNED ACCROSS ALL GYGAA SITES BETWEEN JULY 1ST AND END OF OCTOBER
This instruction is documented in GYGAA Tenancy aggrements that al plotholders should be given and required
to sign to STATE they have read and agreed THIS AGGREEMENT as a prerequisite of their tenancy
SEE ITEM (below) RECYCLE WITHOUT FIRE!!!
IT IS REQUESTED THAT FIRES ARE NOT LIT WHEN THE WIND IS IN THE DIRECTION OF residential properties or any School -HOSPITAL. Or open Sports facility when in use !
The NHS is invoiced some £1200-1500 EVERY time the FIRE SERVICE attend any incident.
Every time there is a report of the SMELL of smoke in a hospital -the FIRE SERVICE HAVE TO ATTEND ! !
This constitutes an inconsiderate and unnecessary demand on NHS budgets
Allotments ( in the caseof Gorleston -Woodfarm ) get the blame ( even if I of the firm belief that-more often than not- these incidents may be more related to patients/staff smoking in toilets etc)
BUT WE MUST COMPLY Or ALL burning may have to be formally BANNED !
Ignoring this request may result in serious consequences for any perpetrator including possible loss of tenure
There is a SUMMARY copy of the terms and conditions of tenancy at the very bottom of this page- boring but necessary-for the benefit both tenants and the association.
-PLEASE DO READ THIS- A full copy of the Tenancy Aggreement should should be available from each relevant Site Secretary or on request from the GYGAA General Secretary
If you have never had an allotment before it can be quite a daunting experience. Don't worry we all started the same way. Take it one step at a time we all have different commitments, some plot holders are here every day- some a few hours a day some only a few hours a week, You have to set your own pace according to your expectations-your aspirations and in some cases- your limitations.
If your plot was overgrown when you took it over and many are. Ask your Site Secretary about HELP to clear your plot no one will expect it to be cleared in a few days or even a few weeks. Clear a patch to cultivate as soon as you can and plant some easy crops.
It is a good idea to get some well rotted compost dug in or even just spread on top of the soil, following the above process. Should you choose not to use a weeekiller. Dig out any perrennial weeds such as 'dock'-thistle or Bindweed' first- PLEASE dispose of these off site (not on the compst bin), -then spread as much compost as you have to hand (2-3 inches deep is ideal) then let the worms do the work, especially in the first season. Many gardeners have many different ways of gardening. provided it does not interfere with other plotholders your preferred method should be acceptable. it may be advisable to talk to the Site Secretary first
ONCE TOU HAVE GOT YOUR PLOT IN SOME KIND OF SHAPE IT MAY BE A GOOD PLSN TO INVEST IN SOME POROUIS MEMBRANE TO INHIBIT FURTHER WEED GROWTH
THIS CAN BE BOUGHT IN 5X4 METRE (Amazon -around £40 per pack) SECTIONS ALLOWING YOU TO COVER/UNCOVER PARTS ALREADY PREPARED
Planting Potatoes is a good first crop to loosen up the soil. Brassicas are equally good just be sure to add a top dressing of lime to the soil before planting Brassicas
The Relevance of "Watering In"
At the risk of being accused of 'teaching my Granny to suck eggs'
Many gardeners do not appreciate the relevance of watering in any new plantings or even the tiresome practice of watering at all
PLANT ROOTS CAN ONLY ABSORB NUTRIENTS FROM THE SOIL THROUGH THEIR TINY CAPILLARY ROOT SYSTEM IN A SOLUTION FORM- IT IS THEREFORE ESSENTIAL THAT SURROUNDING SOIL IS COPIOUSLY WET TO ALLOW any new planting TO ACCESS THE NUTRIENTS TO RECOVER FROM ANY TRAUMA EXPERIENCED DURING THE PLANTING PROCESS
WE tend to do this because all the EXPERTS constantly bang on about it maybe this helps to understand why
It is a good idea to acquire some black Plastic wide enough to cover some of your plot once it has been dug over to suppress further weed growth, ideally this should be a porous membrane Unfortunately all i have found available is the woven stuff -this tends to come adrift at the edges and leave miles of thin plastic threads everywhere to get tangled in EVERYTHING - Try to use black plastic sheet !
The use of old carpets to suppress weed growth is Banned on GY&GAA Allotments as they contain many toxins which do long term damage to the soil condition
The critical months are mainly March , April, May and June weather permitting, when ground needs to be thoroughly cultivated and prepared for sowing ( Not the recommended time for serious plotholders to go on holiday)
Planning your planting and sowing is very important, much is made of the mystique of gardening but essentially with warmth and water most crops will do perfectly well in reasonable soil conditions.
That is not to say crops can't be improved with care and due diligence or just TLC !
They may even survive the first season without any added nutrition - however it is highly recommended to order (ask the Site secretary for advice to supplier) and 'dig in' some Farm MUCK as soon as possible.
Site notice boards may provide a contact-it is probably better to ask advice from other plotholders -(some Muck may be full of weed seeds such as thistle.) This all takes time and money to eradicate and is very invasive for other plotholders -at probably higher cost than the load itself -2016 price for a LOAD is around £40 so PLEASE talk to your" site secretary" before ordering
Please remember in your conditions of tenancy you have signed a document stating you are responsible for maintaining the" cultivation and nutrient quality" of the soil on your plot YOU ARE THE CARETAKER of that plot-not only for yourself -but for generations to come
Use some caution when sowing seeds there is no benefit in sowing the whole packet of seeds in one go, stage your sowing a few weeks apart, protect your seeds once they have been sown, the birds know where there is freshly cultivated soil there is a food source. Use netting on hoops- make up some wire netting cages- string old video tape between canes, anything to dissuade the birds or the growing menace of rabbits decimating your crops
There are many websites offering planting planners most are free- some will charge typically £15 per year subscription. In the first year most people will get by more than adequately with a wealth of advice from the internet -other plotholders- books and magazines and a smattering of common sense
For any gardener who may aspire to grow crops in the most 'natural' possible way using the seasons natural bio-rhythms the book 'In Tune with the Moon' gives a comprehensive planting programme, when to plant- which crops according to the lunar cycle, when to prune and when to harvest . there's also a section on making beer and wine and a host of other useful information
It is an annual publication at less than £15 and provides a wealth of associated information on a day by day basis
'Permaculture' is another organic ritual you may choose to explore again these methods can be expensive in the first instance so ask around first to see if any FREE advice can be gleaned
'A word about fruit trees , GY&GAA Allotment sites have a policy of restricting new planting to 2.5-3,metre height
M26 is an Apple Rootstock that should limit Apple tree growth to 3 metres max in 10 years or so
Incidentally it is a good idea to consider if you want to have fruit trees on your plot to order them sooner rather than later. Most FRUIT trees take some 5 years to bear any significant fruit crop so PLAN AHEAD !
Consequently when buying or ordering fruit trees it is important to specify/identify the maximum height your chosen variety will grow to.
Fruit Trees whilst they should be carefully planned and selected should be planted early in the development of your allotment. They may take several years to mature 3-5 is not uncommon and up to ten years to produce a plentiful crop. Learn how to prune these to encourage fruiting spurs and don't be afraid of it there is plenty of advice out there.
Re-Cycle without FIRE!!
Disposing of perennial weeds no-one wants on the compost bin. Like dandelion -thistle- dock and the worst by far probably bindweed- has always been a contentious issue. most plotholders resort to burning it- in the light of current issues an alternative may be to use a water butt to reduce it to a harmless soup which when dliuted can be used to feed future crops Roughly 1 cup dilution to a watering can of water ish!
Please be aware this method may pong a bit initially so be sure to site the water butt in use well away from any seating area.
At this time in the season SLUGS AND SNAILS present a particular poblem. Slug pellets are certainly effectve but they do have many downsides for the birds and hedgehogs who may inadvertantly consume them.
'Lakeland' have a commercial solution in a plasic ring you fill with beer @£10 for 4 pack( RINGs not beer) not a cheap option- but a happy end for the slugs
Bugs especially 'grenfly' HATE garlic. create a solution of a couple of crushed cloves soak in a litre of water and use a spray to treat infected plants Or plant your old sprouting garlic bulbs at the base of any infected plant. This is particularly effective on rose bushes. It also works to reduce the bitter pith you sometimes find in cooking apples plant a few garlic bulbs around the base of the tree and it seems to absorb this into the fruit to reduce those bitter brown flecks sometimes found in cooking apples giving a more pleasing filling for your apple pie (dont worry the apples DO NOT have any Garlic flavour)
Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Allotments Association. Ltd
TENANCY AGREEMENT (Summary)
Reg Nmber 8527 R. Norfolk
This is a summary of the terms and conditions more relevant to the 'Woodfarm Lane site' a Full copy will be available to tenants on acceptance of the tenancy
Conditions of Tenancy
No individual plot holder shall hold more than twenty rods EQUAL TO TWO PLOTS
(10 rods=5.5 yards or 5 metres X 55 yards or 50 Metres) of allotment land under the control of the Association.
Each plot holder must declare his or her holding (if any) on any other group of allotments. Failure to do so may jeopardize both tenancies.
All rents are due and payable on January the 1st each year and must be paid by the last day of April failure to do so may jepordise the tenancy
The plot holder must acheive and maintain 75% cultivation of the plot withi their first year of tenancy and use the allotment garden for the production of foodstuffs and crops for the consumption of themselves and their family and no other purpose
The plot holder must keep the allotment garden clean, in a good state of cultivation, fertility and soil condition
No tenant is allowed the use of a hose from standpipes on allotment land controlled by the Association
No internal divisional fencing or windbreaks will be allowed unless agreed/ provided by the Association
No fruit bush or tree shall be planted within 3 feet of the plot boundary in any direction
Sheds and Greenhouses shall be of approved design, uniform sizes and properly constructed and must not be erected without the consent of the group committee. All buildings shall be placed a the end of the plot furthest from the group roadway, but no closer than 2 feet from the plot boundary, or in a position as shown on the group plan.
( revision2016 this policy has been reviewed check with individual site secretary for current consent !)
Greenhouses must be of a design approved by the group committee and should not exceed eighty square foot of floor area. These conditions will apply to all tenancies entered into before and after 1st January 1968. Buildings in existence on 31st December 1967 will be allowed to remain until a change of tenancy takes place but any additions thereto will not be permitted
Any un-sightly or dilapidated structure must be removed on request of the Executive officers of the Association. All buildings must be removed by the tenant on termination of the tenancy. Any building not removed on termination of the tenancy from whatever cause, shall become the property of the Association
The plot holder must keep the roadway immediately in front of the plot clear of weeds and long grass and
in proper condition
ANY Livestock should be as authorised and permitted by the Association
No tenant may bring or cause to be brought into the allotment boundary any dog unless the dog is held on a leash
If a tenant shall commit a breach of any of the terms and conditions, in particular fail to cultivate the allotment to the satisfaction of the association then the association by any of its officers, servants or agents may re-enter upon the allotment and (terminate) the tenancy as provided by section 1 (1) (e) of the allotments act 1992
The tenancy may by either party giving the other party not less than 12 calendar months notice in writing expiring on any on or before the 6th April on or any day after the 29th of September in each year. Provided however that if the rent be in arrears for not les than 21 days or if it shall appear to the Association that the tenant not less than three months after the commencement of the tenancy shall have failed to observe the condition herein or is resident more than a mile beyond the boundaries of the district of Great Yarmouth Gorleston or Bradwell- the tenancy may be determined (terminated) by the Association giving the tenant not less than one months notice in writing expiring at any time by virtue of section 30 (2)of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908
No plot holder shall interfere with or take crops or produce of any other without the express permission of the said plot holder and that the Association by any of their Officers Servants or Agents may re-enter on the allotment and determine (terminate) the Theft Act 1968 relating to the equipment goods or produce of any other plot holder
The tenant shall yield up the allotment garden at the termination of the tenancy in such condition as shall be in compliance with these conditions and in accordance with Section 4 of the Allotment Act 1950. The Association shall be entitled to recover from the tenant compensation in respect of any deterioration of the land caused in the opinion of the Management committee of the Association by failure of the tenant to maintain the plot in a good state of cultivation and fertility
In the construction of these conditions the expression ‘allotment’ shall mean ‘allotment garden’ as defined by the Allotments Act 1992. The expression ’Association’ shall mean ‘Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Allotment Association. Ltd
Please Note burning of waste MUST COMPLY with strictest guidelines.
If you must burn waste, ONLY MATERIAL GENERATED ON YOUR OWN PLOT MAY BE BURNT
Do NOT use petrol to light any fire -the spillage of any residual liquid will make any ground un-usable for years IT IS ALSO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PRACTICE
ONLY BURN dry materials
ONLY light any fire when the wind is blowing away from any HOSPITAL- Sports facilty (when in use) AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS
Serious fines (up to £5000) and potentially imprisonment could ensue for those who disregard this instruction
You May also be contravening the Clean Air Act!
Re-Cycle without FIRE!!
Disposing of perennial weeds no-one wants on the compost bin. Like dandelion -thistle- dock and the worst by far probably bindweed- has always been a contentious issue. most plotholders resort to burning it- in the light of current issues an alternative may be to use a water butt to reduce it to a harmless soup which- when dliuted -can be used to feed future crops
Be aware this can pong a bit so be sure to place the intended water butt well away from any seating area
the above does not include 'Mares tail' or 'Japanese Knotweed'
SHOULD these be identified there may be the strictest Council by -laws relating to the safe disposal of these particularly invasive weeds PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR SITE SECRETARY
This summary is by no means the complete terms and conditions merely a short guide the main points
Can I draw the Attention of ALL Plotholders to the Publication"KITCHEN GARDEN"www.kitchengarden.co.ukCurrently offering 3 issues for £5Please be sure to quote Ref KG225 to ensure best GY&GAA offerI
I hereby declare I have no vested interest in this or indeed any item recommended on this site
I have just found this to be one of the most relevant and informative publications dedicated to the allotment gardenerI would encourage ANY Allotment holder to view a copy and share my enthusiasm for its content it is now available on line to view as a single edition or on subscription via it's website- or or on order from the local newsagentA new website has been brought to my attention and may be very worthwhile any plotholder checking it out.
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