About Us
Our Allotment Association
Valley Road Allotment Association (VRAA) is a community of passionate gardeners and allotmenteers who have a shared interest in growing quality fruit, vegetable and flowers. We love to share ideas, skills and learn from each others experience. Our association promotes a non-judgmental and supportive attitude amongst growers. The plot holders have a range of gardening abilities and experience, from show winners to beginners, everyone is welcome.
If you're interested in joining, or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to get in touch via the CONTACTS page.
Getting round the web site, you can "scroll down or up" or use the"buttons" at the top of the home page, the "back to top" button takes you to the top quickly.
Welcome
A place to escape and unwind
Management
Our four acre site is self managed via a committee of plot holders.
Led by a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, the committee's remit is to make sure all plot holders views are heard and that we all work together as an association to maintain and develop the site, making it a site that is a peaceful and tranquil escape for everyone.
Our lease is with South Ribble Borough Council; this lease forms the basis of our rules and constitution. As plot holders we have to abide by these rules to ensure we do not break the conditions of our lease. The welcome pack and tenancy agreement outlines the rules; as long as we, as plot holders abide by the rules and pay our rent on the due date, our tenancy rolls over yearly.
Your data & Privacy
We are required to hold some of your data , Name, address, telephone, email. Your data is stored on password protected files and servers, the association does NOT sell your data. The people that may see your data are the committee members, the secretary, the treasurer and the letting leader. We do not share, or pass on your data to any third party other than the Council (our landlord) for our yearly returns and the National Allotment & Gardens Society for our group membership. We will use your email (or preferred method of contact ) to circulate important association items such as newsletters, meeting minutes, AGM details, but your individual email addresses will NOT be visible to other recipients.
Allotment map & history
Valley Road allotment site, is a long established self-managed site in Penwortham, Preston. Initially the area, now occuppied by 93 allotment plots, was nothing more than an open field. Plots were established and offered for rent to local people in the South Ribble area. There are 93 plots from starter plots (half plots) to full plots. The different size plots means there is something manageable for everyone, no matter what age or gardening ability. Thanks to the work of previous members and our current members, our site is constantly developing for the benefit of its members. The site hosts an on-site shop, a wild flower orchard, a picnic meeting space, ample car parking and IBC water harvesting stations, in addition to mains water points.
Facilities & Benefits
Functionality You Will Love
On Site SHOP
The shop is a non profit service that allows us to negotiate good price deals which are passed on to you. The shop has most items/products that you need for your plot. We offer flexible and REGULAR OPENING times, members can gain access whenever there is a committee member on site, (this is virtually everyday) so you can always get access to the shop. The board outside the shop will display who is on site and the plot number where you can find them; these people are happy to be disturbed and will gladly open the shop for you. Some days you may find several names/plot numbers, hopefully this will mean you have a committee member near your plot who can open up for you.
FROM FEBRUARY (if it is NOT raining) the shop will be OPEN EVERY SATURDAY/SUNDAY 10.30- 12.30 any changes will be put up on the BOARD outside the shop or/and on the FB page.
Toilet & Parking
There is a toilet on site and adequate parking areas. You are welcome to take your car to your plot to unload, but please park in the designated parking areas once you have unloaded.
Working Parties
Working parties are organised once a month ( Saturday) from MARCH to November. If you could spare a couple of hours once a month to help out, it would be much appreciated. If you CANNOT work on that day, you can access the job sheet near the shop and take on one of the tasks when you are free. The jobs are varied from litter picking to pruning, regardless of ability, there will be something that everyone can contribute to, so that we help keep our site clean, well kept and maintained.
Kings Seeds
Each year we organise an association KINGS SEED order
(Catalogue in shop). Plot holders submit their orders to a coordinator, who then submits a bulk order, so that everyone benefits from a good discount.
Newsletter, Website & Facebook
Our monthly news letter keeps plot holders informed regarding issues, suggestions and site developments. Our Facebook page allows everyone on the site to communicate instantly regarding problems on site, any growing issues , or to offer surplus plants to others.
Events
Each year we try and organise group trips to garden related shows.
A good day out and a way to extend your knowledge & for those entering shows, a chance to check out the competition.
Knowledge Meet ups
On site there are a diverse set of people, who are experts in a variety of growing areas. There are dahlia experts, show judges and vegetable gurus, all more than happy to help out the beginner with a few "have your tried this" advice.
The Committee
The committee's remit is to ensure the site is well-managed and well maintained. This involves making sure any/all of the plot holders concerns are heard and that people can continue to enjoy and benefit from having an allotment at Valley Road.
The committee meets every 6 weeks to discuss any issues brought to the committee members by plot holders. The committee also evaluates proposals for equipment, update the maintenance schedule, requests by plot holders, review the waiting list and assess the financial standing of the association.
Each year the committee members. stand down and those members that want to continue will ask to be re-elected. If there are vacancies, a call out for new members of the committee will be circulated. Anyone can apply, or at the AGM (held in October each year) any member can "propose" someone ( with that person's consent of course) and then a "seconder" is required to vote that person onto the committee.
ChairPerson 2024
Dave S PLOT 52
Committee
Jackie PLOT 66
Committee
Phil Plot 32
Secretary
Gary PLOT 42
Letting Lead
Lyn S PLOT 52
Work Party/Maintenance Lead
Jim B PLOT 36
Cute picture of alpaca... arrrr
Social Media Lead
Mandy PLOT 82
TREASURER & Newsletter lead
Val PLOT 24
If you would like to join the committee, the role descriptions on this page detail what is expected of you and how much time this may take up.
In short, it will mean giving up some of your time to attend a 2 hour committee meeting held every 6 weeks. In addition, you may take on tasks to help the smooth running of the allotment. All members of the committee are volunteers giving up their time, so no bosses, just a team of volunteers acting as spokespeople for the plot holders.
Committee member
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Be a key contact for other plot holders to get their views discussed at the committee meetings, so being a regular on the site and having good communication and listening skills are essential.
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Report back to any plot holder who has approached you with issues/ideas, to update them on committee discussions.
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Be proactive at working parties, such as issuing equipment to workers, receiving returned equipment, cleaning returned equipment, checking out PPE, fill out work party return form, helping with refreshments for working party.
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Actively engage in committee meetings, reporting any complaints, issues or ideas that have been reported to you from plot holders.
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Attend at least FOUR committee meetings per year, if you cannot attend, produce a short-written report of issues to be raised at the committee meeting and ask another committee member to raise at the meeting.
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Be familiar and keep informed regarding association rules, report any abuse to the Secretary for further investigation.
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Volunteer to be responsible for key jobs, such as shop opening and issuing goods.
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Promote rule compliance and report any non-compliance to Secretary
In addition, there are other KEY roles on the committee that have additional specific responsibilities, these are outlined below /opposite.
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ChairPerson
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Overall responsibility for organising and chairing the meetings ( committee and AGM).
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Ensuring the committee work as a team.
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Ensure everyone at the committee meeting is involved/included.
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Has an overview of the work of the group.
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Ensures clear decisions are reached fairly and acted on.
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Keeping time at meetings.
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Be a key contact for other plot holders to get their views discussed at the committee meetings, so being a regular on the site and having good communication and listening skills are essential
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Secretary
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Keep committee members informed of meetings, (date, time, place).
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Produce a meeting agenda and circulate 3 days before meeting.
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Be the main contact with Council regarding issues.
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Review minutes and circulate for accuracy.
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Compile AGM agenda and circulate in advance of meeting – (two weeks prior); send out invitation to the AGM to all members detailing date, time and place.
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Update the notice boards regarding information to plot holders.
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Keep Secure Storage of associations records and update as needed.
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Receiving and responding to emails, comments from the "ideas/suggestion" box.
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Responsible for letters/emails to plot holders in regard to rules and plot inspections; in the first instance by “gentle word”, then official letter for "lack of progress" on plot, and finally if needed, issue a "notice to quit".
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Ensure any reports of abuse by plot holders to others, is fully investigated and dealt with fairly.
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Be a key contact for other plot holders to get their views discussed at the committee meetings, so being a regular on the site and having good communication and listening skills are essential.
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Treasurer
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Manage and maintain associations bank account, receipts and expenditure.
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Produce a financial over view for all committee meetings and AGM.
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Keep a record of monies in/out for the association.
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Maintain plot holders’ data and work with secretary to prepare annual rental renewals.
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Oversee associations annual water supply account.
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Liaise with Secretary regarding Annual National Allotment and Garden Society membership.
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Responsible for managing and renewing Associations insurance cover.
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Keep committee informed or any potential financial issues.
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Prepare a full annual end of year report and present at AGM.
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Be a key contact for other plot holders to get their views discussed at the committee meetings, so being a regular on the site and having good communication and listening skills are essential.
Upcoming Activities & News
Mad Hatters Tea Party
Easter Bonnet Competition & Easter egg HUNT
TEA & CAKES break scheduled in
DATE: 19th APRIL meet 1pm at the shop
Vintage Summer Tea Party
Get together, Sandwiches, cakes tea/coffee, squash
DATE: 21st June
SUMMER BBQ
Everyone welcome... bring family/friends.
DATE: 12th JULY
Events subject to change and updated as they are booked in - please check back
Bonfire Party
Best Pumpkin
Competition
DATE:
Annual General Meeting
Penworthm Sports & Social Club
Date:
Festive QUIZ & social meet up
BAR OPEN
DATE:
Good Luck to everyone planning to enter the shows this year....
Please let us know if you are entering the shows, we would like to promote your efforts.
The charities we support ....
Following last years fund raising success, this year the supported charities are -
Derian House
St Catherines Hospice
Millys Smiles
RSPB
Galloways
if any of you have any local charities in mind, please put your ideas in the suggestion box in the toilet.
Some links that we have found helpful
National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardens - https://www.nsalg.org.uk
Gardners World - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mw1h
National Garden Scheme - https://ngs.org.uk
Royal Horticultural Scoiety - https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/allotments-getting-started
Useful site for Allotmengteers - https://www.allotment-garden.org
https://www.jackwallington.com/13-tips-to-help-allotment-newbies-by-an-allotment-newbie/
North West Dahlia Society - http://northwestdahliasociety.weebly.com/
Valley Road Allotment Gallery
Contact Us
If you have questions about Valley Road Allotment Association, or you are interested in joining, please feel free to reach out using the contact/enquiry form below and someone will get back to you ASAP. If
Like most allotment associations, we are currently fully rented, but our waiting list is still open.
REMINDER OF COSTS - Joining Fee/Key £10 one off fee
Full PLOT - £66 per year or STARTER PLOT - £33 per year