Welcome to the Local Allotments!

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Would you like to grow your own vegetables, flowers, fruit and herbs? If so, it might be that you would like to take on the tenancy of an allotment in Bideford. We currently have 131 allotments spread over 3 sites in Bideford, which can be let to Bideford parishoners.

What are the benefits?

Over the past few years there has been a significant increase nationally in the number of people wishing to take on a plot on an allotment site. The benefits gained from working a plot are greater than just being able to produce your own, fresh produce. Working the ground and the physical exercise and fresh air involved, are good for your health and the social aspects are also available to be enjoyed. There is a good community spirit at all our sites, and there is always someone around to welcome new plot holders and give advice and help if required.

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New Allotment Site for Bideford....

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The Town Council has just secured the lease for a new allotment site at Handy Cross from the Bridge Trust.  The site currently consists of 2 fields, which are just under 4 acres in size.  One of the fields will be turned into approximately 30 plots and the second field will provide a parking area with room for a community project in the remainder of the field.  The Bridge Trust has very generously leased the fields to the Town Council for a reduced rate in order to leave some funds available to prepare the fields.
This project is in its infancy and the aim is for the new allotment holders to form a self managed group and to be involved in the conversion of the site into allotments from the very beginning.
We will keep you posted as to how the project is progressing.

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Allotment site and plot competition winners

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Early in July, on a beautiful afternoon, the judging took place for the best allotment site and the best plot in Bideford.  The three allotment sites, Pollyfield, Marland and Tricks were all  looking extremely well cared for and productive and the judging committee had a very difficult task ahead of them.  The judges comprised of the Mayor, Councillor Phil Pester, and a member of our Allotment Committee, Councillor Simon Inch, a keen gardener himself.  
The judges marked against a set of judging criteria and carefully appraised all 135 plots as well as the 3 sites.  They considered issues such as the cleanliness of the sites, the upkeep of the paths, the absence of weeds and the quality of the vegetables and fruit including variety and seasonality.  After a 3 hour judging stint, which the judges said they thoroughly enjoyed the winners were: Best Site: Tricks and Best Plot:   Plot 20 - also at the Tricks site.  The winners will be awarded a cup which they will then keep for a year. There were some very close contenders for the best plot and the judges also gave commendations to three other plots.  These were: Plot 37 (Tricks), Plot 10 (Marland) and Plot 15 (Pollyfield).  Well done to all three sites for their lovely gardens.