Our society

 

Our society has managed the Chattern Hill allotment site for over 100 years. Previously registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as an Industrial & Provident Society, Ashford & District Smallholders became a Community Benefit Society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 with FCA registration no. 5580R. 

 

The society has about 150 members, and is run by a management committee elected by its members. The committee meets once a month to deal with the day-to-day running of the site and to resolve any problems. The society's Annual General Meeting takes place once a year to elect officers and committee, to approve the accounts for the previous year and to discuss any matters of concern. 

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Our community hut and toilet were rebuilt in 2018 with the aid of a Spelthorne Council grant. The community hut serves as both an on-site shop and a venue for meetings and social get-togethers.

 

Our on-site shop (for members only) is open most Sunday mornings between 11am and 12 noon. It sells a range of gardening essentials such as composts, bamboo canes and fertilisers.

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The first of a series of social events took place in 2017, and the two events held that year were an immediate success. The summer event took the form of a buffet meal, and the autumn event included a halloween-themed barbecue with a carved pumpkin competition for younger members. The social event programme restarted in 2022, after breaks while the community hut was being rebuilt and due to Covid-19 restrictions. The summer and autumn events of 2022 again included an excellent barbecue meal with drinks and a raffle.

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Our society is affiliated with the National Allotment Society (NSALG). Benefits of affiliation include allotment insurance at a reduced price and free legal advice. Members can also order seeds and plants from the Kings Seeds/NSALG catalogue at discounted prices, and receive free personal liability insurance. 

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RHS garden festival allotment 2023 photo 1The society is also affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). We exhibited a display plot at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in July 2023.