Grab yourself a half size allotment plot

The plots, which are about 125 square metres, are at the Whinney Hill site in Mansfield Woodhouse and cost just £20.50 a year to rent – half the cost of a full sized plot (£41). Full and half plots are also available at Priory Road Allotments in Mansfield Woodhouse.

The council cleared them of rubbish, large weeds, sheds and greenhouses last year. Each plot will come with a compost bin provided by the council and plots will be rotivated for new plot holders.

Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Wellbeing, Coun Andrew Tristram, said: “Gardening is well known to be a good form of exercise and is also a very therapeutic pastime – beneficial for the mind as well as the body.

“These half plots are a good way for new plot holders and gardeners to give allotments a try before committing to a full plot. It’s also a good option for people who want allotments but find the full plots are too much to cope with.”

Chairman of Mansfield Woodhouse Garden Holders Association, Philip Cooper, which administers and manages the allotments in Mansfield Woodhouse on behalf of the council, said: “Having an allotment is a fantastic hobby.

“There’s nothing better for the soul than getting out into the fresh air and getting your hands dirty. And the bonus is you can grow your own fresh food, too.

“Allotments are a great leveller. They bring together people from all age groups and backgrounds and can foster a sense of community with experienced gardeners passing on their knowledge to younger or less experienced ones.”

Mansfield District Council provides 614 allotment plots spread across 14 sites across the district. They are at Brougham Avenue, Mansfield, Bellamy Road, Mansfield, Water Lane, Mansfield, Shaftesbury Avenue, Mansfield, Ravensdale (Hibbert Road) , Mansfield, Sherwood Rise (Debdale Rise), Mansfield, Forest Road, Mansfield, Birding Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, Kingsley Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, Longyards, Mansfield Woodhouse, Northfield, Mansfield Woodhouse, Park Hall Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, Priory Road, Mansfield Woodhouse and Whinney Hill, New Mill Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse.

Some of the sites are 100 per cent let but others, including Shaftesbury Avenue, Ravensdale, Northfield, Priory Road and Whinney Hill, have vacant full and half plots.

The council will clear overgrown allotments during the winter period where necessary, before they are rented out.

To register for a Mansfield plot, call 01623 463292 and for Mansfield Woodhouse, call 07873 502470 or email [email protected].