News

NEWS! 28th February 2024

We've been very busy on the committee sorting out and distributing rotas and putting together a timetable of events for this year. Please cast your eyes below to find out what's occuring in 2024!

Sunday 14th April "Soil Health Workshop" 2-4pm at the Dog and Gun .

Learn about what makes healthy soil, learn how to make aerobic, "biologically complete" compost and how it can transform soil, plant health, water holding capacity and carbon sequestration. Bring along a soil sample and we'll have a look at it under the microscope and meet some of the critters that live in compost. And the pub will be open!

Saturday 25th May Allotment Plant Sale 10-2pm at the plot.

As always we are grateful of any help growing plants to sell, making cakes and also manning the stalls. We'll no doubt ask closer to the time. :)

Sunday 9th June Enderby Open Gardens

Saturday 7th September The Produce Show

Saturday 21st September Cider Making Day

Saturday 26th October Pumpkin Barbecue

We're always trying to encourage more people to show some of their veg and flowers and cakes at the Produce Show and this year will be putting out some guidance as to how to do this. There's really no magic in this show.. you grow it, you show it. It's fun! Nuf said. However, it's nice to be prepared and see what has gone before. So please check out the gallery to see pics and keep an eye on our facebook page for updates and helpful information.

NEWS! 31st October 2023

Happy Hallowe'en and congratulations to Elvira and Dave who won the Pumpkin competition with a winning pumpkin weighing a whopping 36.9kg!

We had 23 entries this year of all sizes, 2nd place weighed 29.3kg and there was an even spread of those weighing in the teens and those under 10kg, with last place prize going to the pumpkin weighing just 2.1 kg! It's always worth giving it a go, and you'll have some delicious winter food to boot!

Before the winning pumpkin gets eaten however it currently looks like this in time for this evening's celebrations and a bit of trick or treating..

NEWS! 24th September 2023

Thank you to everyone who brought your windfall apples and made cakes and bacon butties and tea and coffee for our wonderful Cider-Making Day yesterday.

It was such a lovely sunny day, perfect for trying your hand at preparing and pressing apples ..and sampling the delight of fresh apple juice! The taste changed subtly as different apple varieties were pressed.. which meant we had to sample a few times which wasn't hard! And there was plenty of juice to fill6 demijohns; one of which is plipping away in my kitchen (letting off CO2 bubbles as the yeasty goodness does its thang) and will be for a few weeks until it goes clear and will be ready for siphoning off and bottling.

It was really great to catch up with plot holders I don't get to see usually and have some food, drink and a good natter. I look forward to next year! ... and Christmas of course when the cider should be ready for sampling!

NEWS! 12th July 2023

This year's Produce Show is set to be on Saturday 9th September.

at the Enderby Conservative Club at the top of The Cross

It is a great opportunity, not only to show off some of the prized vegetables you may have grown this year, but also to meet other plot holders. It is also not only about prize-winning vegetables - although they're graded only against what else is on show in that category, so even if your carrot looks like a pair of trousers it may win if the only other entry looks like a three-legged ostrich! It is also about being proud of what you have achieved this year and sharing your love of the allotment with others who feel likewise.

There are also categories for flowers and cakes and other baked goods, so take a look at the full category list with helpful hints as to what the judges are looking for here.

Cider-Making Day - Saturday 23rd September

Please put any of your windfall apples or any that you'd like added to the cider on the table on the community plot near to the date please.

Pumpkin BBQ - Saturday 28th October

We will be weighing your pumpkins (any that we know of or can see from the path that are from the plants we sold earlier in the year) on the Thursday morning before.

NEWS! 10th June 2023

PUMPKINS! Every year we love to have a nice friently competition to see who can grow the biggest pumpkin. To make it more fair, and raise a little money for the allotments, we grow from seed loads of the same variety of pumpkin and plot holders can buy them for a bargain price. Grow them on your plot and in October we will go round weighing them. There is a prize for the winner and runner-up!

So head to the table outside the community plot, please put money in the suggestions box, and grab yourself a beautiful plant and the chance of becoming this year's

allotment pumpkin superhero!

NEWS! 1st May 2023

What better way to celebrate spring than to advertise our new Facebook page. Hopefully you already know and use it, but in case you don't yet I wanted to take the opportunity to see if I could entice you there! We have a private page which is just for members and a public one. The public page is a great space to share ideas and advice for all sorts of planty things and also another place to find out about our public events at the allotments. such as our plant sale on Saturday 27th May 2023, and a reminder that if you're growing any veg or bedding plants for us to sell please make sure we have them the in the days/week before the sale rather than on the day. Thank you we are really grateful. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Here's a link to the public facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/179771421506873

and here's the private one where you'll be able to request access https://www.facebook.com/enderby.allotment.society

NEWS! 15th February 2023

Happy new year everyone - I don't think it's too late for that! Especially as a new growing season is getting ever nearer and following a lovely first meeting of the committee this year, we have a lot of news!

The new Mowing Rota and Plot Inspection Rota is up. Please read the details with the plot inspection rota as it tells you which date you are invited to join the committee for the inspections (we have used your plot number not your name for privacy) and we inspect the whole site every month. If you would like to join the inspections one month and aren't on the list please talk to a committee member as this can be arranged.

The date for our annual plant sale is Saturday 27th May 2023, the last bank holiday in May as usual. If you would like to grow any veg or bedding plants for us to sell we would be more than grateful. Please make sure we have them the week before the sale though so we can organise space on the day

The date for our annual Produce show is set to be Saturday 9th September 2023! That's a way off, but it's nice to have a goal for those prize veg to be grown for! Timing and location will be the same as always, but details will be advertised closer to the time.

And finally we have a Facebook page coming soon!

NEWS! 17th November 2022

Dobbies garden centres recycle plant pots!

https://www.dobbies.com/pot-recycling

NEWS! 30th October 2022

This year's AGM will be held on

SUNDAY 20th November 2022 at 10am

at the Conservative Club, The Cross, Enderby.

Yay! I am happy to announce that our normal AGM, held in person at the Connie Club is back following 2 years of covid restrictions.

NEWS! 16th September 2022

The 2022 Kings Seeds catalogue are in the Magazine box!

Plot holders can find a copy of the exciting 2021 Kings Seeds catalogue in the suggestion box, along with order forms.

Orders can be given along with payment to any Committee Member.

Last date to submit an order is 1st November.

This is a great way for plot holders to help raise funds for the Enderby Allotment Society.

NEWS! 5th September 2022

Saturday, September 24th is our NEW Cider Making day!

Come along for some fun and to see how cider is pressed, using apples from our very own allotments. If you have more apples you'd like to bring along to include, Please bring them! There will be some cider from last year to sample and maybe some bottles to buy.

NEWS! 5th August 2022

It's almost here and anything can happen in the next five weeks.. even rain!

So I hope you're all getting ready to show your prize winning

vegetables, fruit, fowers, cakes and preserves

at our

annual PRODUCE SHOW!

This year to be held, as every year, on the second Saturday in September.

NEWS! 12th June 2022

This year we are opening up our allotment to the public as part of Enderby Open Gardens, on Saturday 2nd July 2022. The site location will appear on a village map of open gardens to which the public will have access between 1 -5pm. Maps will be available to buy near the field at the back of the Adult Education Centre on Shortridge Lane in Enderby. All proceeds from sale of maps will go to the renovation of Enderby Wood on King George V field.

We hope the site will be looking at its best as plot holders are making every effort to spruce up their plot for the big day; only those plots that have direct access from the main path will be viewed, the public will not have access on to your plots without plot holders' express permission.

We shall be providing refreshments and sale of perennial plants left over from the recent plant sale. All profits from the refreshments and plants sales will be donated to LOROS and we would, as always, very much appreciate donations of cakes, biscuits etc. If you're a plot holder and would like to volunteer to help man the stall, act as guides to answer any questions or just be here to lend a hand, please get in touch with any of the committee members or drop us an email.

We've never done this before so it will be a learning experience for all ..... any suggestions are most welcome!

We look forward to seeing you.

NEWS! 2nd April 2022

NEWS! 24th March 2022

Happy spring everybody! The first summary of plants in our grass strip is in. Please see the Blog for the lastest details and some photos to help you with your own wild plant identifying skills. And...NEW BUGS UP!

NEWS! 15th March 2022

GREAT NEWS GUYS!

We have started a SEED SWAP!

I don't know what's taken us so long! It's a great thing to do with all those left-over seeds that we always have and swap them for flower and vegetable varieties that we may not have thought about buying for ourselves. So when you're next at the plot, have a peep at the donations table in front of the community plot and take a browse through the tupperware pot! Hopefully something will tickle your fancy and encourage you to swap some seeds. And while you're there, if there are any donations of fruit, veg or sundries, please help yourself and pop money (whatever donation you think appropriate - it all goes to help the upkeep of the allotments) in the "Suggestions" box near the notice board.

NEWS! 5th February 2022

The new Mowing and Plot Inspections Rotas are up at the allotments and here on the rota web page.

In a bid to help wildlife, we would like to leave a few stretches of grass along out paths uncut this year. We have a resident botanist who is going to keep an eye on the grasses and other plants that are growing there and we hope to see in increase in the numbers of interesting pollinators and beneficial insects on the plot. Please check out our wildlife page to see some of the minibeasts we have found so far. If you have found anything interesting on your plot please send us a picture and we'd love to add it to the page or the gallery. Also check out the blog if you want to read a bit more about what we hope to achieve simply by leaving a strip of grass to grow long.

NEWS! 5th January 2022

Happy New Year allotmenters! The news today is that 2022 is going to be great for growing fruit and veggies. Have you bought all your seeds yet or do you wait to buy when you need to plant them?

Keep an eye on these pages over the coming year as we are going to spend lots of time learning about what's in your soil, how to make it rich and fruitful and what good soil can do for your food and for the planet.

NEWS! 10th November 2021

This year's AGM will be held on

TUESDAY 23rd November 2021 at 18.30

at the Conservative Club in Enderby.

All members should have a copy of the agenda and last year's minutes. If you need a copy, please ask one of the committee members. We look forward to seeing you there. :)

NEWS! 24th October 2021

Yesterday was our Allotment Pumpkin BBQ. It was very well attended and lots of fun and socialising and eating was done.

The winner of the "Grow the Largest Pumpkin" competition was annouced and prizes given for first, second and third. This year was Mr G with a pumpkin weighing 24kg. This year was a record for pumpkins grown and entered in the competition... weighing less than 5kg! We don't know what was special (or especially not great) about this year to make so many small pumpkins.. maybe the puhpowee (a Native American word for life's upward growing force) is being saved up for a bumper crop next year?

We had a fine donation of apples which is destined for the cider press, along with pre-bottled, freshly made cider to try out. And, as always, a beautiful selection of home made cakes and biscuits to share.

Thank you to everyone who attended and/or helped to make this happen. It only happens because of you and we are all very grateful for it. Especially in times like these.

Apples, grown on the allotment, ready for pressing!

Delicious chocolate log, not grown on the allotment, but still homemade, ready for gobbling!

NEWS! 5th September 2021

Our lovely VEGETABLE AND PRODUCE SHOW was great fun and we had lots of new plot holders entering this year, which was great to see.

Take a look at our gallery page for photos of some of the wonderful produce on display, grown by our very talented plot holders.

NEWS! 20th August 2021

The Enderby Allotments VEGETABLE AND PRODUCE SHOW will be held this year on Saturday 4th September at Enderby Conservative Club, as always, at the top of The Cross, LE19 4PF.

Do come along and bring something you have lovingly nurtured all summer to show or sell. There are all sorts of categories, not just the most beautiful vegetables. Please see the application forms in the "Magazine Box" on site (next to the notice board) for a full list, but some categories to whet your appetite are

The Longest Runner Bean

A trio of well matched courgettes

Best Victoria Sponge

Jams and chutneys

Flower arranging

Design a garden on a plate (Children only)

The doors open for members to bring their produce 11am - 1pm . Then close for the judging 1pm - 3pm.

The doors will re-open from 3pm onwards for public viewing, the PRIZE GIVING CEREMONY and contributors to collect their produce (unless they choose to sell it to very kindly raise funds for the allotment society).

We very much look forward to seeing you for a fun time!

NEWS! 9th August 2021

Happy National Allotment Week!

National Allotments Week started in 2002 as a way of raising awareness of allotments around the UK. Keeping an allotment means different things to different people. They help people keep active, grow their own food, develop friendships and bolster communities. The campaign week is still thriving after 18 years and interest in growing your own fruit and vegetables continues even as lifestyles have changed dramatically since the WW2 Grow for Victory campaign.

In the name of Allotment Week, we would like to hear from you about what your allotment means to you. What is your favorite thing about having an allotment and how is having a plot at an allotment different to growing fruit and veg at home?

Please get in touch with us and send your stories or comments to enderbyallotments@gmail.com and read more in our Blog here.

NEWS! 28th June 2021

We have been lovingly growing some pumpkin plants from seed over the last few months and they are now ready and waiting for new homes! They are of course for our plot holders to grow on your plots for our Great Annual Giant Pumpkin Growing Competition! There is a prize for the heaviest pumpkin which we would dearly love to be awarding at our October barbecue. But we'll be in touch about that in the future. In the meantime grab yourself a beautiful plant and grow yourself a giant! They are on the donation table on site. We ask for a small donation of £2.50, proceeds go towards the upkeep of Enderby Allotments. Have fun!

NEWS! 1st May 2021

We are very excited to announce we will be holding our Spring Plant Sale on bank holiday Monday 31st May 2021. As usual it will be held on site from 10am until 2pm. We will be selling veg and salad seedlings, fruit plants, and bedding plants all grown and cared for by our very own plot holders. There will also be our usual mass of freshly picked rhubarb which always goes down a treat! Along with pickles, chutneys, cakes and refreshments also made by our plot holders.

You can also plant your own sunflower and become part of Enderby Sunflower Trail to be held later in the year.

We will of course be highly covid aware and providing hand sanitizer, practicing good hygiene and social distancing. So come along and get some fresh air in good company and grab yourself a planty bargain!

NEWS! 1st March 2021

Spring is on it's way! We are very much looking forward to a new planting year! Some have already started with broad beans and garlic and chitting potatoes. Don't worry if you haven't got started at the plot yet, It's just starting to warm up and there's plenty of time. Nature is beckoning!

This is a great time to take stock of what we have and start planning what we would like to do.

NEWS! 5th November 2020

Plot holders can find a copy of the exciting 2021 Kings Seeds catalogue in the suggestion box, along with order forms.

Orders can be given along with payment to any Committee Member.

Last date to submit an order is SUNDAY 29th November.

This is a great way for plot holders to help raise funds for the Enderby Allotment Society.

NEWS! 22nd October 2020

I am very pleased to announce the results of the Pumpkin Competition are in and our winning pumpkin was a brilliant 26.7kg. Our collective efforts were pretty light compared to previous years, so that's just another way this year has been unusual for us all. Congratulations to Kevin, our winner and well done and thank you to everyone who took part and managed to grow a pumpkin over 1kg!

Check out our blog for more exciting pumpkin chat!

Kevin D 26.7kg

Stephen N 21kg

Kim S 12.4kg

Chris G 12.1kg

Sue R/K 11.6kg

Bob F 11.3kg

Gill & A 10.7kg

Jan B 10.5kg

Nina & P 10.4kg

Andy B 10kg

Jon S 9.7kg

Simon & J 7.8kg

Mickie & D 6kg

Dan K 5.4kg

Ady & S 2.6kg

Lindsay-Anne H 1.1kg

NEWS! 20th October 2020

There will be no AGM at the site this Sunday 25th October.

Instead, we will be posting out details to every member along with previous AGM minutes and postal votes to be signed and returned to us via the suggestions box please.

NEWS! 5th October 2020

It is with sadness that, due to the latest government rules on social distancing, I have to announce that

The PUMPKIN COMPETITION BARBECUE and AGM

HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

We will be holding an AGM but not on the 25th October. Please watch this space for more updates.

We will keep the deadlines that we set out in the newsletter for proposals to rules changes and committee nominations.

We would like to ask for postal votes for electing the committee (to be posted or put in the suggestion box on site) Further information on this will be communicated as we know it.

NEWS! 5th September 2020

Thank you to everyone who visited our allotment produce sale at the weekend. It was such a lovely day and we were very proud to show off and sell a great variety of fruit and veg grown on our allotments by our clever plot holders! Thanks also to a few amazing cooks who brought along to sell, a wide variety of jams and chutneys too - which keep many of you (and me) coming back for more year after year!

Check out the blog to find out what on earth that nobbly yellow squash is in the middle of the table!

See you again in the spring!

NEWS! 19th August 2020 ***CANCELLED PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS***

This year, due to Covid restrictions, we are holding the AGM at the Allotments in the car park out in the open air. We are going to incorporate it with our annual Pumpkin Competition.

The AGM will be held at

PLEASE SEE LATEST NEWS

The Pumpkin Competition and barbecue will be immediately afterwards.

We are hoping for a great turn out this year and will be taking all Covid precautions.

NEWS! 19th August 2020

We are having an open-air Pop-Up Produce Stall on bank-holiday Monday, 31st August 2020.

We will be SELLING VEGETABLES, FRUIT and PLANTS grown at the allotments by our plot holders. Come along and buy some of our delicious, zero-mileage produce.

NEWS! 1st August 2020

We have had a new delivery of manure. Come and help yourself. £1 a barrow.

The manure is fresh and will need maturing (to reduce nitrogen and ammonia levels which can burn plants) before you use it on your veggies, but if you have some bare ground resting until next year that needs some nutrients, the manure can be dug in lightly and will break down over the next few months.

NEWS! 23rd March 2020

At our recent committee meeting, we made the decision to continue with plans for the annual open-air Plant Sale, in the hope that it will still go ahead on Saturday 16th May.

We are therefore busy planting seeds, potting up seedlings and making preparations to welcome you once again to our site. However, we want to be responsible and follow the government's advice, therefore we sadly cannot guarantee that it will go ahead.

We expect to have a stock of bedding & vegetable plants by then and will figure out some way of making them available. Be safe and well everyone.

NEWS! 18th March 2020

Hi Everyone! The Enderby Allotment Society website is up and running! We hope you are enjoying browsing our pages. We will have a new blog page every month, and news as soon as it comes in. Also keep an eye on our gallery for photos from our members... and if you want to send us a photo, please do and we'll see if we can add it too! Our email is below and on our Contact page.

NEWS! 8th January 2020

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. This year's mowing rota and plot inspections rota is up on the notice board at the allotment. We hope the date allocated is good for you, but if you need to change it please get in touch.

NEWS! 17th December 2019