[mackbear]

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.

[sellickbhoy]

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/ 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!! :-)

[mackbear]

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

[HappyHippy]

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 

[Rosemary]

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.

[mackbear]

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

[jaymac]

Hi Martin

I have some land that i am looking to share not to far from you my e-mail [email protected] get in touch see if we can work something out.

Cheers James

[mackbear]

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.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

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

[ballingall]

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

[mackbear]

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.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

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 !!!!

[mackbear]

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

[microbabes16]

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

[mackbear]

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.