The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: mackbear on January 15, 2009, 10:38:51 am

Title: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 15, 2009, 10:38:51 am

Hi :)

My name is Martin and I live in Armadale, near Bathgate in West Lothian.  I've read a few postings on this site previously and have been really impressed with the wealth of information here and the friendliness of the members.  There is a real sense of 'community' :)

I'm kinda like a few other people on this site in that I don't actually own any land (well, other than the gravelly area around my cottage) nor do I own any livestock....or even any chickens....yet!  I do have a very excitable, lovely dog called Angus and yeah, I know, he doesn't really count!  I do, however, have a bit of a passion for growing, cooking and eating seasonal local produce.  This includes trying to appreciate 'the simple' in that I bake my own bread, make my own butter and shortly will be experimenting with some cheese making.

I currently 'share' an allotment with a good friend based in the Glasgow area, however, having changed jobs this year (I used to work in Paisley) to nearer the Edinburgh side, it has been difficult to keep that going. So, I am on the lookout for somewhere nearer home, so please wish me luck in my hunt :)  Although you can imagine how dismayed I was to find that West Lothian doesn't actually have any authority-run allotments :( Still, we can live in hope!

So, if anyone knows of anywhere where I might be able to rent a little piece of ground where I can grow some veggies, fruit and maybe even keep a few chickens then I would be really grateful.

Oh and I also hope to be able to contribute with some recipes on here from time to time...mind you, it might only be the ones that are successful *wink*

:)

Martin.

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: sellickbhoy on January 15, 2009, 01:43:13 pm

Hi Martin

welcome aboard

I'm just along the road from you near Linlithgow

you could contact LADAS - Linlithgow and District Allotment society - http://www.linlithgowallotments.org.uk/ (http://www.linlithgowallotments.org.uk/) they are at quite advanced stages of discussion with the council regards setting up either 72 or 90 plots.

you can sign up with them and get regular updates

think there are a few other west lothian folk on here who may be able to help you out

you are more than welcome to come and help weed mine!! :-)

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 15, 2009, 05:33:59 pm

hey Sellickbhoy,

thanks so much for the warm welcome :)

great that you are a 'neighbour' too, so to speak, and that there is a network of us 'types' so close to each other!

I did as you advised and emailed the LADAS....will just wait and see. Thanks for the advice.

And I may well take you up on that offer to help you weed...;-) just as soon as my allotment mate and I work out what is happening for this year.

Cheers :)

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: HappyHippy on January 15, 2009, 07:07:42 pm

Hello from me too !

In wet & windy Lanarkshire (it never seems to be any other way lately !)
Good luck with the allotment search - keep us posted !

Karen  :pig:

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: Rosemary on January 15, 2009, 07:15:34 pm

Hi, Martin and welcome.

You could try the "Landshare" initiative started by Hugh Fearnley - Whittington. Falkrik has an Allotment Society, so presumably allotments although its a bit out of your way.

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 15, 2009, 07:32:08 pm

Hey HappyHippy

thank you so much for your welcome - i will certainly keep the group informed of what's going on...:)

And Rosemary,

thank you too for welcoming me.  I have registered with the landshare project and will wait to see what that might bring.

Tried the Falkirk allotment society last year but unfortunately the allotments are just for the Falkirk area....hey-ho!  Thanks though for your suggestions - they are much appreciated :)

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: jaymac on January 16, 2009, 12:28:15 am

Hi Martin

I have some land that i am looking to share not to far from you my e-mail james.williams1@blueyonder.co.uk get in touch see if we can work something out.

Cheers James

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 16, 2009, 11:08:56 am

Hey James,

thanks a lot...just read your original intro posting earlier...quite a bit of land there you have to manage. Nice though and as you said, pretty close!!

Will be speaking with my allotment pal this weekend to find out what the plans are for this coming year but will defo drop you an email.

thanks a lot.

Martin.

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on January 16, 2009, 06:57:41 pm

Hiya from FWS,
am in clacks hope you contribute to the site and lets us know how you get on with you hunt

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: ballingall on January 16, 2009, 11:09:42 pm

Hello there!

We are very near you as well, we are outside Falkirk but its only about a 20 min drive to Armadale. I was going to offer you our vegetable plot, but I think you might have enough bigger offers instead! I do have a friend at work who has an allotment in Bathgate, and I believe they often struggle to get enthusiastic people to get involved. My friend was going to give it up a year or so back, but everyone was devasted because he's the only semi young person that has an allotment, so he stayed on.

Beth

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 18, 2009, 05:45:48 pm

Hello there FWS :)

Thanks for the welcome! You can be sure I will contribute as much as I can to the forum and will keep you updated on what is happening. :)  Dunno if I will be as prolific at doing it or my posts as interesting as yours though :)

Hey Beth,

Comforting to know there are so many 'like minds' so close to me, hehe.  Thanks very much for the info and considering me for your plot! That's really kind of you. Do you know if your friend's allotment is still looking for people to take up plots?  Oh, and where in Bathgate, if so?  thanks for your help.

Martin.

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on January 18, 2009, 06:13:11 pm

Quote from: mackbear on January 18, 2009, 05:45:48 pm

Dunno if I will be as prolific at doing it or my posts as interesting as yours though :)
Martin.

are my post really that interesting ? i just have way to much time on my hand oh well better go and start again at the craft room mess !!!!

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 18, 2009, 10:16:42 pm

hehehe...you are using that time wisely, Linz, by posting on here :)

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: microbabes16 on January 22, 2009, 07:08:08 pm

Hi Martin,

I am in Bathgate and am looking for an allotment too. Its great to know there are lots of people out there with the same interests. Maybe we can get the council to start making more provisions for allotments in West Lothian. The new ones to go up in Linlithgow will be great but i am sure we can get some more if the demand is there.

Have you been in touch with the Allotments Regeneration Initiative? They seem to be giving a lot of advise on most matters to do with allotments.

I hope you are successful in your hunt.

Jen

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 22, 2009, 08:09:29 pm

Hey Jen,

good to hear from you! I didn't know there was an allotment regeneration initiative!  Where can I get hold of them? lol

I think it would be a great idea to speak with the council and the more of us that do that, the better :)

Martin.

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: doganjo on January 22, 2009, 08:15:02 pm

Found these links
http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/about-us
http://www.soilassociation.org/web/sa/saweb.nsf/localfoodworks_index.htm
http://www.torridge.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=7476

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 22, 2009, 08:25:25 pm

thanks Annie,

these are really useful :) sooper dooper!

Martin :)

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: sandy on January 24, 2009, 09:27:16 pm

Hello, we are not far away, Clackmannanshire, enjoy this forum, we used to have an allotment but found it hard to dig and get it all ready for veg, anyway, I just grow some herbs and have three chickens (that's all) I would love more and have room for them but need another shed if I have anymore, welcome anyway...Sandy

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: microbabes16 on January 26, 2009, 09:35:48 pm

The web address for the allotment regeneration initiative is:

http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari/

I have sent them and email, not heard back yet but there seems to be loads of information on the website.

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: garden cottage on January 26, 2009, 10:15:35 pm

Hi martin, good luck with the land search & welcome...............neil

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on January 31, 2009, 08:44:47 pm

Thanks for the welcome Guys....it's really kind of you and i look forward to lots of chats with you all about lots of different subjects :)

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: willsandchucky on February 02, 2009, 07:29:46 pm

  Hi Martin

  I just registered and logged on, read your posting, was wondering if you had , had any luck on getting small area to grow veg etc. Sustain the larder. My partner has a area of land, which he uses only a small area of for his horses. there are parts that would be suitable for you to grow on, also chickens would not be a problem either, as long as you had your own hen coup. The land is 2mins in a car from Armadale town centre. if walking its a brisk 20min walk......There is manure in abundance...... We would ask for a share of the produce, let me know if you are interested.


W & C

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: doganjo on February 02, 2009, 08:13:48 pm

Who needs Hugh - we have our own landshare going on ;D  No-one has come forward to share a bit of my front garden yet, so am starting with one raised bed near the compost bin and round the corner from my fruit bed.  If anyone wants to come and have a look with a view to landshare I'm in Clacks, PM me.
Annie

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on February 02, 2009, 08:27:54 pm

need any help advise give me a shout have plenty of seeds too, they need to be ued this year as i am startting a fresh as some of them are going out of date.

Linz

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: doganjo on February 02, 2009, 09:56:36 pm

Ok, Linz you're on - come round soemtime and help me plan it out.  You can share the crop

Title: Re: hello from Armadale, West Lothian
Post by: mackbear on February 06, 2009, 09:14:40 am

Hi W&C,

Sorry for the late reply - not logged in here for a few days (shame on me!)

Thanks for your very kind offer.  I've taken the liberty of dropping you an email :)  hope you don't mind me sending it to you directly.

Martin