DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WE HAVE SUSPENDED ALL REGULAR MEETINGS. STAY SAFE!
Advice For Plotholders During The Covid-19 Pandemic
The Covid-19 situation is evolving rapidly and you will no doubt be up to date with developments from the news media. The purpose of this statement is to gather together specific advice for allotment holders. FEDAGA is grateful to the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society (SAGS) and the National Allotment Society (NAS) for their help.
The Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak has been identified by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic. The Scottish and UK Governments are currently operating the “delay” phase of their response. A larger outbreak is expected and preparations are being made.
Allotments are places in the outdoors where it is possible to undertake healthy physical exercise in a communal environment without needing to be physically close to other people. Nevertheless there are issues to be considered both by Allotment Site Associations and by plot holders.
Any plot-holder who is self isolating because a household member is ill with coronavirus should not be visiting the site. Click here for more information.
Associations should display an advice notice on their boards. It is important that anyone attending the allotment takes care to stay the appropriate distance from others, avoid body contact and wash hands at taps, do not wash hands or use detergents in water tanks and please pay attention to notice boards.
It is essential that no un-authorised people are allowed onto the plots for the duration of this emergency. Careful consideration should be given to introducing anyone over 70, those with underlying illness or pregnant women.
We are living through a crisis, the likes of which none of us has experienced before. Not since war time has the community spirit that exists on allotment sites been more important. Please remember to look out for one another during these very difficult times.
Members should take the following precautionary measures:
Those who manage allotment sites should be aware that some members will not be as active within their plot as usual. They may be under self-isolation, unwell, or caring for relatives or friends who need support. The approach to weedy plots, non-attendance on sites and evictions should be relaxed in the light of the situation. It is likely that some people may miss a whole growing season if they are required to stay home for a long period.
If possible an allotment association may be able to arrange for healthy members to spend time maintaining the plots of sick or older members. Many people find the allotment is a place of comfort and have a strong emotional attachment to their plot. Site managers should consider the implications for mental and emotional wellbeing before considering issuing warning letters or evictions.
All committee meetings and social gatherings should be cancelled.
Further information can be found at these links:
The Scottish Government's main page on Covid-19
The Scottish Government's Covid-19 advice page
The Scottish NHS Covid-19 information page
The UK Government's Covid-19 advice page
The Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak has been identified by the World Health Organisation as a pandemic. The Scottish and UK Governments are currently operating the “delay” phase of their response. A larger outbreak is expected and preparations are being made.
Allotments are places in the outdoors where it is possible to undertake healthy physical exercise in a communal environment without needing to be physically close to other people. Nevertheless there are issues to be considered both by Allotment Site Associations and by plot holders.
Any plot-holder who is self isolating because a household member is ill with coronavirus should not be visiting the site. Click here for more information.
Associations should display an advice notice on their boards. It is important that anyone attending the allotment takes care to stay the appropriate distance from others, avoid body contact and wash hands at taps, do not wash hands or use detergents in water tanks and please pay attention to notice boards.
It is essential that no un-authorised people are allowed onto the plots for the duration of this emergency. Careful consideration should be given to introducing anyone over 70, those with underlying illness or pregnant women.
We are living through a crisis, the likes of which none of us has experienced before. Not since war time has the community spirit that exists on allotment sites been more important. Please remember to look out for one another during these very difficult times.
Members should take the following precautionary measures:
- Keep hand sanitiser in your shed and wash your hands regularly
- Use hand sanitiser before opening and closing any gate locks
- Observe “Social Distancing” with each other staying 2-3 metres apart
- Do not share tools
- Minimise the contact with each other, for example no handshakes
- Do not wash your hands in water tanks
- If you have communal buildings on site such as toilets, communal huts or shops please consider the risk to yourselves and your volunteers if they stay open. If you do keep them open make sure that hand-sanitiser is available and clean the premises on a regular basis - at least twice a day
- Click here for guidance if you do need to clean an area that has been visited by an infected person
- Plan ahead to ensure that, if necessary, you can have food and medication delivered to you during this time
- Stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible
- If you display any symptoms of coronavirus stay at home and self-isolate for at least 14 days or until symptoms have passed.
Those who manage allotment sites should be aware that some members will not be as active within their plot as usual. They may be under self-isolation, unwell, or caring for relatives or friends who need support. The approach to weedy plots, non-attendance on sites and evictions should be relaxed in the light of the situation. It is likely that some people may miss a whole growing season if they are required to stay home for a long period.
If possible an allotment association may be able to arrange for healthy members to spend time maintaining the plots of sick or older members. Many people find the allotment is a place of comfort and have a strong emotional attachment to their plot. Site managers should consider the implications for mental and emotional wellbeing before considering issuing warning letters or evictions.
All committee meetings and social gatherings should be cancelled.
Further information can be found at these links:
The Scottish Government's main page on Covid-19
The Scottish Government's Covid-19 advice page
The Scottish NHS Covid-19 information page
The UK Government's Covid-19 advice page
IMPORTANT NEWS FOR COUNCIL ALLOTMENT HOLDERS
CITY ALLOTMENTS RULES AND REGULATIONS CONSULTATION
The City of Edinburgh Council has published the draft Rules and Regulations that will govern the cultivation, maintenance and inspection of allotments under Council management: consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/new-allotment-regulation/. Public consultation takes place before the regulations are brought into force. Needless to say, this is of the utmost importance to all Council allotment holders.
Click here to read the document: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/new-allotment-regulation/user_uploads/allotment-regulations---appendix-1-1.pdf.
Click here to participate in the consultation: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/new-allotment-regulation/consultation/intro/.
The consultation period ends on 27th March.
The Allotment Officer will be in touch with allotment holders formally with details on this.
FEDAGA will be discussing this and will be in consultation with officials through our regular participation on the Allotment Strategy Advisory Group to ensure that the document is fair and effective.
We are also in contact with SAGS and other allotment federations across Scotland as this exercise is being rolled out nationwide under the Community Empowerment Act.
The City of Edinburgh Council has published the draft Rules and Regulations that will govern the cultivation, maintenance and inspection of allotments under Council management: consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/new-allotment-regulation/. Public consultation takes place before the regulations are brought into force. Needless to say, this is of the utmost importance to all Council allotment holders.
Click here to read the document: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/new-allotment-regulation/user_uploads/allotment-regulations---appendix-1-1.pdf.
Click here to participate in the consultation: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/bi/new-allotment-regulation/consultation/intro/.
The consultation period ends on 27th March.
The Allotment Officer will be in touch with allotment holders formally with details on this.
FEDAGA will be discussing this and will be in consultation with officials through our regular participation on the Allotment Strategy Advisory Group to ensure that the document is fair and effective.
We are also in contact with SAGS and other allotment federations across Scotland as this exercise is being rolled out nationwide under the Community Empowerment Act.
What FEDAGA is
The Federation of Edinburgh and District Allotments and Gardens Associations (FEDAGA) is the representative body for affiliated Allotment Garden associations in and around Edinburgh. We currently represent all Edinburgh Council sites as well as many independently run sites.
What FEDAGA does
We promote the mutual interests of these sites, negotiating with the Council on specific issues, trying to improve conditions, lobbying on allotment matters and providing discounted trading opportunities for seed potatoes and onion sets amongst other things. A regular Newsletter (see below) is sent out free of charge to subscribers.
Allotment Strategy
FEDAGA negotiated a flagship allotment policy document "Cultivating Communities" to which Edinburgh Council is committed. This has been taken forward in a series of Allotment Strategy policy documents. We meet with Council representatives on a regular basis to discuss how to improve, extend and develop the allotment service.
Discounts
Members benefit from generous discounts on their orders of seed potatoes, onion sets and seeds (see Seed Scheme below). Their Allotment Association accrues a dividend based on the value of each order which can be spent as is seen fit.
The Allotment Show
This popular event has been held for nearly 70 years and takes place at the beginning of September. Members can exhibit the fruits of the allotments and gardens in a great variety of classes.
Preservation and Development
We campaign to prevent the further loss of allotment heritage and have already met with a measure of success. The Community Empowerment legislation which strengthens Councils' responsibility to ensure adequate provision of allotment resource to the public will result in the development of new sites and we work to ensure its success.
Social Activity
We have organised subsidised coach transport to the prestigious Dundee Food and Flower Festival.
A National Voice
We are affiliated to and work with the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society which looks after the interests of allotment holders nationally.
See also:-
