Shepherds Hill Allotments

Happy new year and wishing everyone a productive year of growing.

The committee met this week and discussed the results of the bonfire poll.  
 
Thank you to everyone who participated and for the many helpful comments.  As reported in a previous email, the results were close, with 102 (54%) tenants against the ban and 86 (46%) in favour of it. 
 
Having looked carefully at the comments and suggestions made, we have tried to arrive at a compromise that we hope will be acceptable to all.
 
There was wide support for restrictive burning on site and the committee agreed to:

• Restrict bonfires on the site to between November 1^st – end of February.
• Request that tenants consider carefully whether there is an alternative to having a bonfire and to keep bonfires to a minimum. 
• Avoid having bonfires when Sunday Barn events are taking place.
• Wherever possible use an incinerator rather than an open bonfire.  Incinerators burn at higher temperatures, reducing harmful emissions. The trading shed will look into stocking incinerators for purchase and having a few available to borrow.  Consider sharing with neighbours too.
• Remember your tenancy agreement stipulates that if you are asked to extinguish a nuisance bonfire by a neighbour, tenant or otherwise, you must do so immediately.
• Always make sure you only burn dry natural materials. Further bonfire guidance from Haringey can be read on our website.

Tenants made a number of other helpful suggestions, which the committee discussed and endorsed: 

• Encourage everyone to compost their green waste on their own plots as much as possible.  To support this we will organise Barn discussions on effective composting, dead-hedging, and the benefits of hot-bins. 
• Explore the potential benefits of biochar. This will be the focus of a Barn discussion on 18^th January.
• Identify ways of improving the communal composting area, and access to it.  We will develop a strategy for taking this forward, which will depend in large part on tenants volunteering to help make this work.  
• Look into the feasibility of having one or two ‘communal chipping’ days/year.

Please note:

• BBQs continue to be permitted on site, but again we ask you to consider the environmental impact of burning, and if possible to use eco-friendly alternatives to charcoal and fire-lighters.  Also have due regard for any nuisance to your neighbours.
• Firepits are considered in the same way as bonfires and only allowed between November and end of February.
• The wood burning stove in the Barn provides a good source of heat and uses dried, seasoned wood from the site.  The stove will be regularly serviced and air quality monitored. 
• The committee will review this policy and guidelines in January 2027.

If you have any questions on the above please send them in to info@shepherdshillallotments.co.uk

Maintenance Working Party
A working party will take place this Sunday 9^th November 10.30 onwards.  We will be doing more work on the green waste area, please come and help if you can.  
 
Bonfire Ban
At our recent committee meeting we discussed the emails we have received from some tenants requesting that we review the ban.  We have decided to conduct a poll of everyone’s views on bonfires on the site, and will be sending out details of how you can submit your views later this month.  
 
Reminder
If you are considering giving up your plot you must give notice to the allotment officer at Haringey (allotment.enquiries@haringey.gov.uk) by 30^th November, otherwise you will be invoiced for rent for the year for 2026.
 
Potato Orders
Most varieties of potatoes and onions and shallots are still available to order (see email we sent out 1^stOctober).  If you would like to order please send your orders direct to Annie with your name, plot no. and varieties and quantities you would like.
 
Winter Warmer
Another call for tombola prizes.  Please bring your offerings either to the Trading Shed when open ( November 2^nd and November 16^th) or to the Barn café on 12^th November.  We will be sending out further reminders about ways you can help later this month. This year we will be making a financial donation from the Winter Warmer to the Hornsey Food Bank.  
 
Dates for the diary

• Café at the Barn: Wed 12^th November, 10.30 – 12.00
• Winter Warmer: Sunday 30^th November 12-3
• Barn discussion and lunch: Sunday January 18^th
• Potato Day: Sunday 8^th February
• AGM: April 26^th 12.00
• Plant sale: 10^th May