Wolverhampton Leisure Gardens Association (WLGA)
A 'potted' history...
At the end of World War II, some allotment plot holders joined together to create formal gardening clubs or associations. In many towns, these groups met regularly to share advice and ideas.
In Wolverhampton, the largest group was called "The Wolverhampton Allotment Holders Council". Two or three times a year, a small number of plot holders would meet with councillors to discuss allotments. The title of the group was changed in the 1980's to Wolverhampton Leisure Gardens Association.
How can the Wolverhampton Leisure Gardens Association (WLGA) help the allotment plot holder?
The association offers support to potential plot holders and works together with the allotment community and the council. Various members, plot holders and committee members, who represent their site; meet their counterparts from other sites three times a year at the council offices to discuss a variety of things:
- allotment problems
- relevant topics
- progress reports
- water charges
The association also helps plot holders with useful advice or support about:
- water
- roads and paths
- tree cutting / pruning
- rubbish removal
- slabs
National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited
The NSALG is a UK based, non-profit group and was recently awarded three stars by The Good Web Guide, who stated it was "a most informative site for anyone interested in the practicalities of owning an allotment or running a local society".
The NSALG offer:
- allotment related insurance cover
- reduced price seed scheme
Events, prize-giving and presentations
Many allotment sites organise their own annual allotment competitions. Over 1000 plots are eligible for inspection / selection each July for the "City Competition".
Of those, the best 16 plots are visited, viewed and "pointed" by a non-local independent, qualified National Vegetable Society judge. With the three highest scoring plots going forward to the Inter Town Competition the following weekend. This is usually the third Saturday in July each year.
Competition is against the best three allotment plots from Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall. This is a high profile event, with the best 12 growers (the finalists) from a pool of around 5000 allotment gardeners, across the region.
In the Autumn, WLGA organise a prize presentation and social evening to award a combination of prize money, certificates and trophies to the winners of the "City Competition".
An additional trophy is awarded for "the most improved site of the year".
The annual Inter Town Competition prize-giving ceremony is a much smaller event, rotated yearly to each of the four authorities in turn.
To attract new members and plot holders, some of the Wolverhampton sites also hold an annual event too (which takes the form of a party, barbeque or open day).