Pilton Community Allotment Association was set up in 2008/2009 on land leased from Michael Eavis. The site is situated at the corner between the east end of Top Street and Springfield Hill/Neat Lane, and can be accessed either from Top Street or from John Burns’ Cottages.
The site slopes slightly to the south, and has a light clay soil which is neutral to slightly alkaline, ideal for growing the A to Z of fruit and vegetables – from artichokes to zucchini in fact! We are an organic group, using no pesticides or fungicides and only organic fertilisers, and are lucky to be situated where there are horses and cows nearby, giving us ready access to organic manure.
The site is of a reasonable size: overall the association has 15 full plots (some of which can be rented as half-plots) and 5 half plots. There are sometimes a few of these plots vacant and available for rent at a really reasonable rate. There is even a loo available, and communal sheds for secure storage of your tools if you wish.
We welcome anyone from the local area, including other villages nearby, who might wish to enjoy the benefits of growing their own food. We run the site via a small committee of plot holders and we have monthly work parties which enable us to tackle the communal areas of the site which sometimes need a tidy up. These monthly work parties are an excellent opportunity to get together as a group and, as well as allowing us to keep the site tidy, they provide us with an un-missable opportunity to chat and eat cake!
The Committee also organises one or two talks on topics of interest every year in Pilton Village Hall, which are open to all, as well as an Open Afternoon in the summer on the allotment site itself.
Anyone with a competitive nature can also enter their prized produce in Pilton Show at the beginning of September (links to schedule and entry forms can be found on the relevant page of the Pilton Village website).
Allotments are a fantastic hobby. They give you great exercise and cost a lot less than belonging to the local gym! They are sociable and you get to eat healthy fruit and vegetables (with no pesticides) that you have grown with your very own grubby hands.
So, if you would like to try your hand at allotmenteering, please contact…
Cathy Lowe (Chair) on 01749 899298 or clove323@hotmail.co.uk
We would be delighted to hear from you!
