The Glasgow Allotments Forum is an independent voluntary organisation that was set up to support plotholders in Glasgow. Our website lets you know what’s going on, how you can join in, and where and how you can contact local sites (Sites). You’ll also find information for those of you who are serving on allotment committees.
If you are new to plotholding there is further information and some useful links in the section New Plotholders
The Forum’s aims are:
- To share knowledge and information about topics of interest to Glasgow allotment holders.
- To support Glasgow allotment associations and their committee members in managing their associations effectively and developing their sites for the good of all their members and the environment.
- To promote the benefits and contribution that allotments can make to local communities within the city of Glasgow.
We hold meetings in central Glasgow every two months to which all plotholders are invited. These meetings combine a discussion on a topic of interest to our members with a business meeting. They are listed in our calendar (see Events) where events organised by local associations can also be advertised.
In addition the Forum organises two major events annually: Potato Day and a Celebration of Allotments (Events), supports various Awards, and bids for, and runs City-wide initiatives.
Share our flyer on your allotment notice board
A Manifesto for Glasgow’s Allotments
Wellbeing: A Healthier City
Glasgow Allotment Forum’s primary aim is to promote the value of allotments together with the purposes and needs that plot-holding serves for our members and their local communities. Although growing food is an important element of their activity many plotholders also value the contribution that plotholding makes to their psychological and physical well-being. Plots provide access to a quiet, green space in which people can be creative, productive and active. Many plotholders value the autonomy and freedom from stress they experience in designing and maintaining their own gardens.
Inclusion: Resilient and Empowered Neighbourhoods
Well run allotment sites foster inclusion. They create communities of a type, and on a scale, that encourages interaction – one Iraqi plotholder remarked ,” It reminds me of my village.” For those suffering from social isolation allotments provide a shared practical focus that engenders conversations and exchanges. Most sites have communal plots with schools, NGOs and self-help groups being plotholders in their own right. Sites currently provide outdoor learning opportunities for young people, enjoyable experiences for people with dementia and a safe, therapeutic space for those struggling with a range of health and social issues.
Green Practices: A Sustainable and Low Carbon City
There is a strong commitment to sustainable practices in the allotment community. Improving local bio-diversity, expanding organic food production and recycling/upcycling are all key activities. Wildlife areas with ponds and native plants are evident on many sites. Bee keeping has become increasingly popular. Allotments have a long history of conserving urban greenspace.
Co-working: A Well Governed City
GAF looks to the future of urban gardening and the ongoing use, preservation and expansion of greenspace in our City, where allotments are an essential element in local networks for food-growing and place-making. We want to see a strategy for allotments that builds on the momentum generated by recent legislation through participation and inclusion where Council officers and plot-holders work together to ensure that allotments associations are run effectively to serve all their members and provide support for developing and maintaining the value of greenspace for their local communitiies.