Organisation
The Bishopscourt Allotments Society comprises around 65 members currently and is affiliated to the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. A management committee elected by the members administers the affairs of the Society.
Link to NSALG
Members cultivate different sizes of plot according to their needs or capability. The site, which extends to about 3 acres is divided into numbers of standard plots as follows:
Full Plot - Approx. 52 m x 4 m
Half Plot - Approx. 26 m x 4 m
Quarter plot - Approx. 13 m x 4 m
Inexperienced new members are encouraged to start with a quarter plot. This should be reasonably easy for most people to manage even with a busy working lifestyle. It is normally possible to progress to a larger plot as they become available, and you become fitter and more knowledgeable! It can be quite daunting if you inadvertently take on too much too soon!
You will learn a huge amount in a single season, and your confidence and capability will grow, along with your plants!
The Bishopscourt Allotments Society comprises around 65 members currently and is affiliated to the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners. A management committee elected by the members administers the affairs of the Society.
Link to NSALG
Members cultivate different sizes of plot according to their needs or capability. The site, which extends to about 3 acres is divided into numbers of standard plots as follows:
Full Plot - Approx. 52 m x 4 m
Half Plot - Approx. 26 m x 4 m
Quarter plot - Approx. 13 m x 4 m
Inexperienced new members are encouraged to start with a quarter plot. This should be reasonably easy for most people to manage even with a busy working lifestyle. It is normally possible to progress to a larger plot as they become available, and you become fitter and more knowledgeable! It can be quite daunting if you inadvertently take on too much too soon!
You will learn a huge amount in a single season, and your confidence and capability will grow, along with your plants!
Wildlife
The allotment site has become a natural haven for wildlife, like our members, seeking some gentle respite from the surrounding increasingly urbanised environment.
We are privileged to have a healthy population of increasingly rare Slow Worms which abound, feasting on the slugs, caterpillars and ground spiders that thrive in the allotment environment. Other creatures such as frogs and toads and the occasional grass snake are also present, attracted by the rich pickings.
The allotment site has become a natural haven for wildlife, like our members, seeking some gentle respite from the surrounding increasingly urbanised environment.
We are privileged to have a healthy population of increasingly rare Slow Worms which abound, feasting on the slugs, caterpillars and ground spiders that thrive in the allotment environment. Other creatures such as frogs and toads and the occasional grass snake are also present, attracted by the rich pickings.
During the day, Green Woodpeckers can often be seen on the ground, raiding the ants nests that proliferate along the edges of the plots. Most days the Sparrow Hawks can be seen circling overhead waiting for their chance to strike.
On summer evenings bats emerge and can be seen patrolling the plots looking for moths and other insects that have taken up residence among the burgeoning vegetation.
Foxes often visit the site and can be quite naughty especially when they have cubs, who seem to love frolicking on our carefully fleeced new potatoes! At least it means we have no problem with rabbits!
Our local bee-keeper maintains two hives on the site to serve the pollination needs of both the allotment members and other growers and gardeners in the local community. This co-operation results in a delicious supply of "Bishopscourt Allotment Honey" which can be obtained from the site shop periodically during the warmer months.
Link to Chelmsford Beekeepers
Link to Chelmsford Beekeepers