The Stretham Charity owns the Allotments in Stretham and these are situated in Newmarket Road/Green End.
Plots Available
With several allotment holders down-sizing or have to retire, we have a range of plots available. Unless you are an experienced allotment holder and know the work entailed, we encourage you to take on no more than 10 poles (250 sq metres or the size of a double tennis court) or 20 poles maximum. Advice is available on how you might set about cultivating your allotment if you need it.
Reasons for Renting an Allotment in Stretham
- Preservation of a Village Amenity: The allotments in Stretham date back to 1553, but they need to be rented out and kept in cultivation if they are to remain.
- Health and wellbeing: Allotment gardening can improve your physical and mental health, and encourage healthy eating.
- Community: Allotments are a great way to meet people and become part of our local community, assisted in Stretham by the presence of the Community Garden.
- Environment: Growing your own food in the village can reduce your carbon footprint and your transport and packaging needs. Allotments are also rich in biodiversity and provide connected green spaces for wildlife.
- Save money: You can save money by growing your own produce right here in the village, and the present cost of renting a plot is much less than elsewhere.
- Teach children: Allotments can help children learn where their food comes from and get their hands dirty. Adults can also learn from the experience.
- Routine: Keeping an allotment can provide a routine, with tasks rooted in the year-
round turn of the seasons, that can be especially beneficial in dealing with stress.
- Haven: With many modern houses having only a small outside space, an allotment can provide a haven in which to relax and grow vegetables, fruit and flowers. Plots of 10 poles or less can be treated as substitute gardens with a shed, edged beds etc.
Larger plots are for open cultivation. Trees are allowed providing they are kept below 2m height (unless specifically exempted). - Water: Many allotment holders collect rainwater in their own storage tanks or use water provided free in troughs at three points along the central path. There is surface drainage round the perimeter.
The rules for renting an allotment in Stretham are few and straight forward and contained in the Agreement that is signed each year by the tenant. Basically, they
require that
- Each plot is kept in a good state of cultivation (at least tidy and weed-free)
- It is used primarily for growing vegetables, fruit and flowers
- And does not cause issues for others
You do not have to be a resident of Stretham to rent one of our allotments. Vehicle access is by locked gate off Newmarket Road and some parking is being formed in bays on new plots along the central path.
Cost:
5 poles £15 pa
10 poles £20 pa (recommended)
20 pole £30 pa (for open cultivation only)
40 poles £40 pa (experienced allotmenteers only)
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RENTING ONE OUR ALLOTMENTS PLEASE CONTACT The Clerk: Jo Taylor email: strethamcharityclerk@gmail.com