The Ashford Allotment Society was formed over 35 years ago in conjunction with Ashford Borough Council with the aim of promoting allotment gardening so that more people could benefit from the pleasures and benefits that come with growing plants and cultivating a plot .
In the early days discussions were held to draw up a constitution and a committee was formed meeting regularly to discuss issues pertaining to allotments and their management .
Today the Society is thriving and our relationship with the Council is mutually beneficial with many innovations and changes that have allowed us to develop our aims and help both existing and potential tenants.
One major development from those initial ideas was that of a trading store (formerly known as the seed shed) to provide tenants with cheaper good quality potatoes and sundries which after much fundraising is situated at Westrees. (See the section about the trading store for more details).
This website is intended to make sure all our tenants continue to enjoy their allotments as well as enhancing our image and improving communication between our members.
(formerly the Ashford Allotment Forum) & Trading Store
Ashford Allotment Society was originally established under the name Ashford Allotment Forum. The name reflected its early purpose: to provide a shared forum and united voice for allotment holders across Ashford. As its role expanded over time to include trading, representation, and wider member services, it later became known as Ashford Allotment Society, the name by which it is known today.
In 1994, Ashford Borough Council took 43% of allotment land out of use. It became apparent to Graham Boddy and Bob Stubbs that there was an urgent need in Ashford to establish a united voice for allotment holders, primarily to protect the security of the allotment land that remained.
In 1996, the two allotment tenants from Henwood Allotments met with Mark Carty of Ashford Borough Council, John Smyth from the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners, and Councillors Fred Winslade, Rita Hawes, and Eileen English. From this meeting, the Ashford Allotment Forum was formed. Its aim was to protect the remaining allotment sites and to give allotment tenants a collective voice. Each allotment site was able to elect its own site representative, who met regularly with the Council and the Ashford Allotment Society to discuss complaints, problems, queries, suggestions, and matters of mutual interest.
The first formal discussion about setting up a bulk buying or trading society took place at a meeting on 16 September 1997. This included consideration of acquiring suitable premises. Initially, council premises at the Victoria Park Depot were offered, but after lengthy discussions it became clear that this option was impractical.
Graham Boddy and Anthony Trice devoted a considerable amount of time and effort to sourcing bulk supplies. This included discussions with colleagues in Canterbury, who were very helpful, and a visit to a trade fair at Lingfield Park hosted by D.K. East of Swanley.
These efforts enabled trading to begin on a small scale in the spring of 1998, initially offering just six items. However, the lack of proper facilities significantly hampered the Ashford Allotment Society’s ability to reach its true trading potential, as trading had to be conducted from committee members’ homes.
Ashford Borough Council later drew up plans for a purpose-built construction at Henwood Allotment site, including a secure compound and toilet facilities with disabled access. Unfortunately, the projected cost proved prohibitive given the Society’s limited funds, and the proposal did not proceed.
Efforts to secure suitable premises continued, and it was eventually decided that a prefabricated double garage would be an affordable option. Ashford Borough Council agreed to match the Society’s funds pound for pound through a community grant.
Over five years of trading, Ashford Allotment Society successfully raised the £3,000 required. A great deal of credit for this achievement was due to Norman Ibbotson, the Trading Manager, who operated the trading service from his home for four years.
The seed shed, or trading store, was located at Westrees Allotment site on Quantock Drive, chosen for its hard standing and available car parking. The official opening took place on 8 March 2003 and was performed by the Mayor, Michael Claughton.
These premises provided a focal point that allowed Ashford Allotment Society to go from strength to strength. They enabled the Society to hold more stock and to open on a regular basis. Membership was made available to allotment holders and to the wider public, with a joining fee of £2.50 and an annual subscription of £2.50. Members also became part of the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners and were therefore eligible to participate in its discounted seed scheme.
Members were able to purchase seed potatoes, shallots, onion sets, composts, manures, garden sundries, bamboos, and many other items at discounted prices. Membership also provided access to products and discounts upon presentation of a membership card.