Information and advice for plotholders
Reaching the site
Framfield Allotments are well-served by public transport. Buses E1 and E3 stop in Drayton Bridge Road and E11 stops in Browning Avenue. Drayton Green station is nearby, and Hanwell station is also within walking distance.
If driving, Drayton Bridge Road off Greenford Avenue provides the easiest access.
There are entrances next to 8 Dryden Avenue (W7 1ES) and 27 Browning Avenue (W7 1EW), respectively at the southwest and northeast corners of the site - click here for a map.
Parking
There are no parking restrictions in the area. However Browning Avenue is narrow with little parking space. Parking at the Dryden Avenue entrance is easier. Please park considerately – do not obstruct vehicle access into the allotment site.
Vehicles should only be brought into the allotment site when delivering or collecting heavy loads.
Safety and security
When entering and leaving, lock the gates immediately after use. Do not open them for anyone you do not know. Only tenants, their families and authorised persons are entitled to enter.
In an emergency (e.g. a crime is being committed, someone is seriously injured or a fire is out of control) call 999.
If urgent assistance is required, call the East Ranger team on 020 8740 1855.
To report any other issue, speak to the Site Manager or call the Parks and Countryside Service at Ealing Council on (020) 8825 6999.
Maintaining paths
You are responsible for cutting the grass on paths around your plot. You are also jointly responsible with other tenants for maintaining the main pathways.
Please take this responsibility seriously. If paths are dug up, overgrown, uneven, crooked or blocked you could be held responsible in the event of an accident. It is also unfair to others.
Paths must be a minimum of 1 metre (3 feet 3 inches) wide.
Weeding
Weeds are an inevitable problem for every allotment holder. Try not to let weeds go to seed as this makes it harder to maintain not just your plot but also those of your neighbours.
You can keep part of your plot as grass – just be sure to mow or strim it from time to time.
You are responsible for maintaining your plot in good order. If you do not, the Site Manager will write to you giving you four weeks to make improvements. If you fail to do this, you may have to give up part or even all of your plot to someone on the waiting list.
If for any reason you do have any difficulties maintaining your plot, do talk to the Site Manager as soon as possible.
Bonfires
Please be considerate, especially if you have a plot bordering one of the neighbouring streets. Choose a day when the wind won’t carry the smoke into nearby properties. Aim to light either first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon/ early evening, avoiding late morning and afternoon when people and washing are most likely to be outside. Try to only burn dry vegetation to minimise smoke, and do not burn any toxic material such as plastics, rubber, carpet etc.
Rubbish
Do not dump any rubbish anywhere on site, including unused plots or the wildlife areas. The Council may charge you for its removal.
If possible, you should take any rubbish away from the site yourself (Greenford tip isn’t far). If you cannot take it yourself, please collect any rubbish on your allotment in a safe place. The Association will organise rubbish collections when there is a sufficient amount to justify the effort. If you are able to keep rubbish separated (e.g. scrap metal separate from glass), so we can make more use of the recycling facilities at the dump.
If you find any hazardous materials such as asbestos when clearing your plot, please inform the Site Manager.
Dogs
Any dog brought onto the site must be kept on a lead and under control at all times, and must not be allowed to wander on other people’s plots. Any excrement must be removed immediately.
Sheds and greenhouses
If you are planning to build a shed, greenhouse or any other structure, please consult the Site Manager beforehand.
To quote one of the tenancy rules: “Sheds, greenhouses and other structures must be in keeping with the location and the purpose of allotments and must be sited considerately. The Allotments Manager must approve all structures before construction commences. Failure to obtain approval may result in the structure being removed at your expense.”
Please note that this includes structures intended to house poultry and other livestock.
Livestock
If you are thinking of keeping livestock, please talk to the Site Manager. Any livestock housing must be inspected and approved by the site manager or a member of the management group before any livestock is purchased.
All livestock must be kept in conditions that meet standards laid down by the Animal Welfare Act.
In addition, we have had complaints from some of our neighbours regarding rats. In the interests of being a good neighbour, please ensure that any poultry food is stored securely, e.g. use a small mesh for any enclosures to discourage rodents.
Keeping livestock can be extremely enjoyable, but it will require a big commitment – please think carefully before deciding to take on the responsibility. There are several experienced poultry keepers on the site – please take the opportunity to ask their advice before starting off.
Bee swarms
We are lucky enough to have some beehives on site to help pollinate the fruit and veg. Unfortunately they do occasionally swarm. If this happens, leave them alone and call bee keeper Craig Leckenby on 07973 112684 or the Site Manager Tony Lewis on 07943 847130 as soon as possible. Craig can also help with wasps nests.
Facilities on site
Water
There are taps throughout the site along the three main East-West paths. The water is turned on between April and October. Hose pipes are not allowed for watering your plot (but can be used to fill water butts). Report any leaks to a committee member or to the Council ASAP.
Toilets
There are two toilets by the Dryden Avenue entrance. Please help keep them clean.
Kitchen
We have recently installed a kitchen in one of the garages by the Dryden Avenue entrance. Opening times are posted on the door - do pop in for a cup of tea.
Manure
A local farm delivers cows' manure to the site. It is stored at the Dryden Avenue entrance. As there is never enough manure to go round, a limit of four barrow loads per plot holder is in place. To cover the cost of delivery, manure costs £1.50 per barrow – please pay one of the committee members. Days when manure is available for collection will be advertised on the gates. Please do not take manure at any other time.
Wood chip
Council contractors deliver wood chip at the Dryden Avenue entrance. This is useful for mulching fruit bushes etc. (after it has rotted down a while) or for using on paths. Take as much as you need - there's no charge for this.
Framfield Allotments Association
Framfield Allotments are managed on a day-to-day basis by a team of volunteers under the umbrella of Framfield Allotments Association, with the support of Ealing Council.
All plot holders become members of the Association for a small fee (currently £2 per year to cover admin costs) and are encouraged to take part in Association activities – working parties, helping out with the rubbish or manure runs, coming along to social events such as the summer picnic and attending the Annual General Meeting which takes places in November each year.
The Association also maintains this website and distributes a newsletter from time to time to keep you updated. Send an email to secretary@framfield-allotments.org.uk to be put on the email distribution list. Paper copies are available from the leaflet dispensers situated at each gate.
Rent
Rent is due on 1st October each year for the following season. You will receive a letter requesting payment at that time. Rental rates are posted in advance on each gate.
Collection of rent is administered by Framfield Allotments Association on behalf of Ealing Council. Please ensure the Association has your correct address.
Payment dates will be posted on each gate. Please come to the Dryden Avenue entrance and pay by cash or cheque, bringing evidence of entitlement to any discount.
Contacts
Framfield Allotments are owned by Ealing Council and ultimately are mananged by the Council's Allotments Manager, Stephen Cole. However the main point of contact for all day to day queries is the Site Manager, Tony Lewis. Tony can be found at the Allotments most days, or you can call him on his mobile 07943 847130.
If you have a query for Framfield Allotments Association (e.g. change of address, phone number or email), contact our Secretary, Hilary Jayne, by email at secretary@framfield-allotments.org.uk.
A full list of contact numbers and email addresses can be found here.
Further advice
Fellow allotment holders are an excellent source of information and advice. Don’t be afraid to ask!
There are a range of useful sources on the web - click here to go to our links page.
Finally, our affiliation membership of the Royal Horticultural Society gives us access to their free advisory service. Contact the Secretary for more details.
Buying plants, materials and equipment
Click here to visit our guide to places to buy the things you need for your allotment.
Framfield Allotment Association earns commission from some of the web sites listed, but only if you access them via our web site. Try to remember to do this whenever you order - it doesn't cost you anything and helps us a lot.