Shepherds Hill Allotments

April Newsletter
 
AGM
A big thank you to everyone who attended the AGM last Sunday.  Over 50 people attended.  Apologies to those who had standing room outside only – next year we will try and have a PA system to make it easier for everyone to hear.  There were lots of good comments and suggestions, and also people volunteering to help in various ways.  All suggestions will be discussed at future meetings of the committee.  We welcome two new members onto the committee: Shazia Sardar and Stefanie Zona.  Draft minutes of the AGM will be posted on the website shortly.  
 
Forthcoming annual Plant Sale: Sunday 10th May 12-2
A reminder that we welcome all contributions for our stalls which are:

• Veg and Herbs
• Bedding plants/annuals
• Ornamentals/Perennials
• Cakes and preserves

NB We have decided NOT to run a bric a brac or tools stall
Please bring your contributions, labelled and priced* between 10.30 and 11.45. We are setting up the gazebos at 9.30. So no parking at Trading Shed until the evening. The Trading Shed will close early at 11.45.
 
A number of you have already emailed Annie to say you will help on the day, which is great. If anyone else would like to help please contact Annie We can do with all the help (and cakes!) as possible. Finally tell your friends and neighbours about it. It’s a great event.
 
*If you're worried about pricing then talk to the stall holders and see what other stock is priced at but please bring a pen and labels ready to price it yourself.
 
Communal Compost Area
Is now open! Amazing work by Liz Denver and Nevil Yildiz and all those who have helped get it to this stage.
PLEASE PUT YOUR COMPOSTABLE WASTE IN BIN 1.
NO TREE TRUNKS OR LARGE BRANCHES AND NO RUBBISH.
We will shortly be circulating more information and a list of do’s and don'ts for using the area responsibly.
 
Dates for your diary
Sun 10^th May            Plant sale 12 - 2
Wed 13^th May           Café at Barn 10.30 – 12.00
Sun 31^st May             Barn lunch and bee talk by Esther
Sat 27^th June            Mid-summer picnic 6 – 9pm more details soon.
Sun 9^th August          Brass band 
Sat 12^th Sept             Centenary Plant Show 
 
Reminders

• There have been reports of intruders on site.  Please be vigilant and keep an eye out, and report anything unusual to info@ And make sure that gates are always securely locked.
• Following the thefts and break in to sheds some months ago we are still processing an insurance claim.  Our insurers will only cover claims where stolen items were in locked sheds, please bear this in mind, and as far as possible do not leave valuable items on site. 

Willow available
Jo Alexander (93B) writes: I am wondering if anyone would like some willow from what is growing on my allotment. Useful for stakes, willow weaving etc. It is getting tall again and am hoping someone may want to cut it back for their own use? If you are interested please email.
 
Haringey History Fair
This is taking place at Bruce Castle on Saturday 16^th May.  Jill Russell is giving a talk based on her research for the SHA history booklet, and Ian Potts is showing a few clips from his forthcoming film about our site. Further details here: https://brucecastle.org/events/haringey-history-fair
 

Plant Sale 
 
Our annual plant sale will be taking place on Sunday 10^th May 12 – 2pm
 
How can you help?

• We need plot holders to sow seeds now with the plant sale in mind.  
• Make a cake or scones to serve with teas or to sell on a separate cake stall.
• The stalls will be Veg and Herbs, Ornamentals, Bedding plants, Cakes and Preserves, Garden bric-a-brac and tools.
• We need volunteers on the day to 
  • Help set up gazebos and tables 9.30 -10.30
  • Set up and run stalls  10.30 am onwards 
  • Bring plants and cakes 10.30-11.45

It’s always  good fun and really worthwhile. Half our funds go to the Harington Scheme. Please email Annie at if you can help, telling her what you can offer. Thank you.
 
Dates for the diary
 
Lots happening to put in your diary for the months ahead:

• Wed 8^th April – Café at the Barn 10.30 – 12.00
• Sun 12^th April – Maintenance working party 10.30 (more details soon)
• Sun 26^th April – AGM at 12.00 followed by lunch 
• Sun 10^th May – Plant sale 12.00 – 2.00
• Sat 27^th June – Mid-summer party and jazz band (6 – 9pm)
• Sun 9^th August – Brass band 
• Sat 12^th Sept – Centenary Plant Show

Reminders

• There are still some potatoes, shallots and onions available from the trading shed.
• There will be a Haringey inspection this spring, so do make sure your plot is ‘inspection-ready’, including a visible plot number.
• Please make sure you keep pathways around your plot clear, including any overhanging branches.
• No bonfires are permitted between March – end of October.
• The communal compost area remains closed whilst it is re-organised.

Ponds

Ponds on plots are great for biodiversity of our site.  But they can be a danger to young children so please make sure that your children do not stray on to other people’s plots and are supervised at all times.  
 
Forthcoming AGM 
 
Papers for this year’s AGM will be going out shortly.  The committee are keen to hear from anyone who is interested in joining the committee, no experience necessary!   If you would like to chat to a committee member and find out more please do get in touch at info@shepherdshillallotments.co.uk
 
Disposing of non-green waste
 
A few tenants have asked about the possibility of the committee organising an occasional skip.  A site wide skip has proved difficult to manage in the past, but individual tenants have successfully arranged for their own mini-skip.  Another possibility is for a few interested tenants to jointly organise their own skip. Please notify the committee if one is being arranged.
 
Centenary cookbook
 
We are gathering lots of great recipes for our centenary cookbook.  Thank you to all who have sent in their recipes.  We would now like some recipe testers!  If you are interested please write in to info@ for more information. 
 
SHA Committee
March 2026

As part of our 2026 centenary celebrations Jill Russell has been researching and writing a short history of Shepherds Hill Allotments. 

She traces the growing of crops on the slopes of Shepherds Hill back to medieval times, and then documents how during the 19^th and 20^th centuries the allotment site and surrounding land has at various times been farmland, playing fields and even a rifle range!  She describes the campaigns to ensure the allotments and surrounding green spaces were protected from development, and the extent of land in Crouch End given over to allotments in WW1 and WW2.

The booklet includes stories from plot holders who’ve had their allotment for many years, and the changes they’ve observed on the site.

The booklet is beautifully illustrated and designed, and includes fascinating old maps and photos.

The booklet is on sale  (£5.00 including a donation to the Hornsey Food Bank) in the SHA trading shed every Sunday 11.00 – 12.30 (when the Montenotte Road gates are open for local people to call by).  The booklet is also available from House of Books in Crouch End, and from the Hornsey Historical Society on Tottenham Lane.   

If you would like any further information, please email info@shepherdshillallotments.co.uk