The allotment society is in the process of putting together a pack designed to help and guide newcomers as well as old hands. These guidelines, which are currently in draft form only, are intended as a guide to encouraging harmonious relations both within the allotment site and with our neighbours.

Bonfires: allowed at certain times of year, never burn materials such as plastic or rubber that create toxic fumes and poison the soil, take care not to cause a nuisance or create a danger to others. And never leave a bonfire burning when you are not there to tend it. Do not use petrol on bonfires.

The following L. B. Barnet regulations currently apply:

October 1 bonfires allowed after 4PM

November 1 to April 30, bonfires allowed any time

NO bonfires allowed during May or June

During July, Aug and Sep, bonfires are allowed on the first Wednesday of the month

Cars and OTHER VEHICLES: Two areas are available for parking cars and other vehicles, one at the top of the allotment site and one at the bottom. The hard standing area alongside the upper car park is intended for deliveries of manure, sand etc but can be used for parking if the main car parks are busy at weekends. No vehicles are to be left on the allotment site overnight. Please note that there is a speed restriction of 5mph on all roads within the site.

Code of Conduct: The Society will not tolerate racist or sexist or other discriminatory language or practices on the site, or the use of violence or threatening behaviour. Serious incidents or repeated incidents will cause the expulsion of the perpetrator from their plot and the Site. Incidents should be reported immediately to the Committee in writing with the names of witnesses if possible.

The drinking of alcohol is permitted but anyone found acting in a drunk and disorderly manner will be asked to leave. The Committee on a case-by-case basis will consider the continuing tenure of persistent offenders causing a nuisance.

Dogs: allowed on the allotment site but dog owners must act responsibly. They must keep them on a lead when outside their own plot, and keep them under control at all times. All fouling must be cleared up immediately.

Hosepipes: permitted unless a hosepipe ban is in operation. Water should not be left flowing through hosepipes or sprinklers if they are unattended eg. all night.

Insurance: The Allotment Society does not have a group insurance policy. Individual plot holders can arrange their own individual insurance. One company offering such a scheme is the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Ltd in Corby (Tel: 01536 266576)

Keys: available on payment of a £2 deposit. Keys must not be copied or given away.

LIVESTOCK: L.B. Barnet does not permit the keeping of chickens, rabbits, goats or other such animals on the site. Bees may be kept if properly cared for.

Machinery: Rotavators and strimmers are available for hire to allotment holders for use on the allotment site. Current rates are: Rotavators @ £5 per hour (lightweight Mantis @ £3 per hour) ; Strimmers @ £3 per hour. They will be supplied with fuel and oil, and ready for use. Apply to the shop.

NOISE AND NUISANCE: Be sensitive to your neighbours. The use of radios is permitted inside sheds as long as you are not disturbing your neighbours. You should be prepared to reduce the volume if a neighbour so requests. Use earplugs if you want to listen while you work.

Security: The gate must be kept locked at all times. In the past, some sheds have been broken into and the skip has been used for illegal tipping so closing and locking the gate is vital. Anyone seeing any person acting suspiciously should challenge their right to be on the site (if it is safe to do so) and/or call the police.

Shop: open on Sundays from end Feb to end September from 11am to 1pm (12 to 1pm till end Oct). It sells a range of items, including seed potatoes and onion sets, different kinds of fertiliser and pest-control products and compost, sand and peat.

Skip: Compostable material (weeds, turf, plant material etc) must not be put in the skip. The skip is intended for the disposal of debris such as stones, plastics, metal, glass, diseased plant material (this should be bagged), etc. It can also be used for the unwanted contents of sheds that have been vacated. The skip should also not be used for the disposal of household rubbish, car tyres, old bicycles, gas canisters, etc.

It is available for allotment holders’ use only Any plot holder seeing outside persons dumping rubbish in the skip should take their car registration and report it to the police. When the skip is full, rubbish should not be left by the side but kept on the plot holder’s site until it can be properly disposed of when the skip is emptied. The skip is replaced as it becomes full.

TREES: Only fruit trees and small ornamental trees should be planted. Leylandii are unsuitable for allotment sites and should not be planted.

Vermin: Rats have been found on the allotment site in the past. Please report to the committee if you find any further evidence of rats. Poison baits eg. for rats, may only be used within huts as the poisoned corpses can kill/harm cats and foxes – which kill and eat the rodents. It is better to use traps.

WARNINGS: Allotment holders are expected to keep their plots cultivated. Failure to do so will result in a written warning. If the plot holder does not cultivate his plot as a result of the warning, the committee will assume that the plot is available to let to someone else.

Water: The water is on from 1 April to 31 October. It is safe for drinking. Please use water wisely and keep the tanks clean and preferably covered.