Finally a bit of time on the allotment.

Big thanks to Jono for being the first person to help out on the allotment . We cut down a significant portion of the 20 foot high hedge seperating plots 47 & 48 in a two hour blitz. All done using hand tools!

Have a new blade for the chainsaw and have fitted it but going to get a friend to check it before actually using it.

Planning to have some time on the allotments this Thursday, weather permitting!

Chainsaw used for 20 mins :-)

Probably need a new blade as quicker (but less fun) to use a handsaw.

The "wanted" list is probably complete, wheelbarrow being donated and possibly a rake too!

Hoping to get down next week as no chance this weekend, praying for good weather next week.

£15 and working in good condition - fantastic! Just need a JCB and then ready to tackle the allotment ;-)

Not had a chance to get down to the allotment yet to do any serious work, so far two out of rather a lot of trees felled :-) using traditional sawing methods!

Update on the list!

Good gloves (several pairs)Wellies - bought 2 pairs
Generator - a friend has one I can borrow
Chainsaw - a friend might be able to borrow one
Strimmer - a friend has one I can borrow
Shredder - a friend has one I can borrow
Rake
Wheelbarrow
Peoplepower - lots of offers

Also been offered a small shed :-)

Been down with a virus for a little while so waiting to get over that before getting down with any serious work.

Rough plan is to clear the sites one by one, somehow digup all the roots (mini digger?), and then plan layouts :-) All sounds so easy!

Current list of things to buy or borrow for the operation:

Good gloves (several pairs)
Wellies
Generator
Chainsaw
Strimmer
Shredder
Rake
Wheelbarrow
Peoplepower


Will do some emailing ;-)

Two posts in one day - will never happen again! Here's some pix taken today - the task is daunting!

On the right taken inside No 47 - a lot of trees!

Below is the path outside 47 & 48.

The top of No 48!

Below is the path outside 49 & 50, below that in 49 looking up to 48

An official council "map" showing the numbers of the allotments and the edge of 59 from the path, as I said a lot of work!

Met RobD mentioned in my first post - it's his birthday, he mentioned an official get together of the tennents on the 10th March so will have to try and attend.

The start

Ok so the allotment journey begins! I've just started the process of taking on some allotments with some friends (tbc) down on the Hagg House Allotments (Hagg Hill 2). The numbers we have requested are 47-50.

Having been down there several times we must be mad - there's a forest growing through the site! I'm nipping down in a bit to take some pictures and to post the paperwork off.

So why 4 allotments? Well it might seem greedy (or even stupid due to the state that they are in) but there are a fair few friends who are interested in doing it together and one of them wants to grow food to bless people who are in vulerable positions such as the homeless. So we'll see how it goes and if it ends up just being me.

Who are you and whet do you do? My name is Tchad and I live on Toftwood Road in Crookes, Sheffield and these allotments aren't too far from where I live. I'd like to think that I'll be walking down and back again in the summer but at the moment we'll need heavy tools to chop down the forest so I'll be driving.

My job is Business Consultancy and I have a small firm, Lichfield Consulting. I'm very involved in St Thomas' Church, Philadelphia (nxt to Infirmary Road), which is a church that has came out of St thomas' Church, Crookes.

I'm married to my amazing wife Andrea and we have a gorgeous 10 1/2 month old called Isaac. Looking forward to building him a den onsite when he's a bit older.

I want to say a public thankyou to RobD http://a-plot-too-far.blogspot.com and to the Gardening and Allotments Group on Sheffield Forums http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=86 as these sites have helped make up my mind to go for the most run-down allotments site in Sheffield, in true pioneering fashion!

Anyway off to go and get some snaps of what I believe will be my sites, could get it wrong as the numbering on the top of my plot to be doesn't match up with the number on the bottom of my plot to be - lol! Having chatted to Bob at the allotments office (Sheff council) he has told me he will number them next time he is down there (we'll see).