It was in 1990 that Councillor Ruth Lyon approached some plot holders at Lynwood Road, Thames  Dittton.  Members of that site, in common with most other sites in the Borough, were experiencing a low occupancy rate and there was some disillusionment and worry regarding the future.  The two key areas identified were poor recruitment of new members and a lack of proper maintenance.  It was thought that these areas could be best organised if each site could become self managed, but this concept needed the consensus and competence of existing plot holders.

It was decided to proceed with a trial and Tony Johannsen and David Drake (both plot holders at the Lynwood Road site) took the concept from theory into practice by creating the three crucial documents felt necessary to launch viz. a constitution to establish an association, a master lease with Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC)and a plot holders’ sublease.  After approval by EBC councillors/officials, a meeting with all plot holders was held to seek support for the new operation.  Self management would mean that a committee would need to be formed (some of whom would become trustees) to manage the site for the members and on behalf of  EBC.  This would take over the responsibility for letting the plots, collecting rents and paying bills for water and maintenance.

In 1991 a self management lease for 25 years was signed with EBC.  It allowed the council to deal with one body instead of hundreds of individuals and to receive 10% of the collected rents in return whilst, at the same time committing them to carry out some vital improvements before hand over.

The new system worked well.  A newsletter was created and an AGM organised.  The members felt in control of their site and easily identified with the elected Committee’s objectives.

EBC was now keen to have this system applied throughout the rest of the borough.  Lynwood Allotment Association became instrumental in helping to achieve the objective by visiting and passing on to other sites copies of their documents and details of the benefits and experience they gained.

Over the next two years all sites followed suit and signed up so that by 1993 Elmbridge would become the first borough in the UK to have all (16)  of its allotment sites under self-management control.

Of more importance however, is that all sites have reported being able to increase their occupancy rate.  Since self-management, the number of plots let in the EBC area has increased by some 85 to 670, which represents 93% of the current total capacity.

The low cost of an allotment plot and the benefit of working in the open air to cultivate your own fresh fruit and vegetables have their obvious attraction.  However an allotment holder doesn’t just need to be fit.  The secret to a well kept plot is to keep a keen eye on the seasons and give your plot regular attention.  2-4 hours every week is essential and probably more time is needed when planting out or when weeds grow most vigorously.

Lynwood Allotment Association currently has at least three plots with ponds and one almost exclusively with flowers.  Many of our members are interested in organic gardening.  Plots are let by our membership Secretary, Louise Flaig 0208 398 7704 , who will be glad to show prospective members around.