The Allotments Strategy...

Currently the Allotments Strategy 2023 to 2035 is still under review and is set to be finalised by the Council and is sheduled for publication during October 2023.

The draft from 2022 sets out several plans of how our allotments will be managed going forward.
Here are just some of the quotes from the draft.

Be informed by an up to date audit and assessment of the maximum potential of all existing land used for food growing and the potential for new land to be made available from public open space, smallholdings and land used for grazing. Propose where and how supply may be uplifted taking in to account local levels of demand, the relative costs and any potential impacts on current land function or tenants.

Promote the need to lower water consumption including recycling of rainwater on site and take further practical measures through investment to prevent leaks and loss through evaporation.

Encourage sustainable land management and cultivation practices.

We look forward to receiving the final version though from feedback it appears the draft has been considerably edited!

Nevertheless, it appears Council wish our plots to be  expanded but managed succesfully with a committment of plot holders to produce food. So of course for those tenants to succeed a supply of water, whether mains or rains is essential.

Yes, where water is concerned there is a health and safety issue of legionella which we as responsible plot holders must be aware of and cannot ignore. But it has to be said, without a managed water supply our crops will fail.

It could be argued whether the photo below may be controversial and should be included in this post as it may draw adverse actions from allotment officials. But it does highlight where water is frankly, an essential part of plot management.
Taken on 5/9/2023 the afternoon temperature was 29c, the thermometer placed into the mains fed water trough reads 26c. Whilst it is considered safe to dip a can into this trough potentially it could be home to legionella bacteria which can breed between 20-45c.

So do we in these hot conditions stop watering in case the droplets shown in the second photo with water from the warm trough could be inhaled by the user? And is there any diffrence with the third photo which is filling a can via a hose from a water butt?

As plot holders we wish to open constructive discussions with Bristol City Council allotments officers to agree how we use water on our plots during the next 15 years as defined in the Allotments Strategy 2023 to 2035.
To help us open negotiations please sign our petition.