News

3rd Sept - BBQ 2022 - We held our second Allotment BBQ at Down Road allotments on Sat 3rd September 22 starting at 5pm and going on till dusk. After a long period of hot fine weather the evening threatened rain but it held off fortunately and it was a reasonably warm evening. Some 50 members from both sites, with their families, tucked into burgers, sausages and pork loin cooked on the barbie by chef Brian Thompson fully assisted by his wife and Trevor Mussett.  With additional salad, ratatouille, veggie options and accoutrements members had plenty of choice and were able to mix with persons that they don’t see that often. A pleasant evening was enjoyed by all.

7th Aug  - BBQ 2020 - Several members have asked about us having another BBQ this year.  A small group of us have looked into all of the possibilities of doing one, but has reluctantly concluded that during this Covid crisis it would be unwise and inappropriate to have one.

18th January - Members will soon be receiving bills for next season’s rent, which is payable in advance.  Payments become due by the date of the AGM (16th March 2020). Details of the AGM will be on your bill. All members are eligible to attend.

If you have an issue to raise please contact a committee member or the Secretary or present it in person at the AGM.

If you know that you will not be renewing your tenancy please tell the Secretary or Treasurer. ASAP to avoid unnecessary paperwork in sending you a bill.  If you would like to amend the size of your plotholding then please let us know also.

13th January - Brackenwood now have their full range of seed potatoes for sale.        Their contact details  01275375292.  bracken.wood@btopenworld.com    see photo below
2020 snowdrop walks The walks will take approximately 1 hour and are along bark-covered paths so do wear 'sensible' shoes!          This year the walks are £5 per adult, £1 per child under 16, payable at the time of booking. Profits again will be donated amongst various charities. Walks are on 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 February at the following times: 11am or 2.30pm

11th January 2020 - 8 senior pensioner members of Down Road Allotments worked hard on clearing the trackway to Lower Down Road.  Loads of brambles, scrub and elder together with barrow loads of litter, discarded by pedestrians and dog walkers passing through to the St Mary's Park houses.  This is not the first time we have done this even though this trackway does not belong to the Allotments Assn, but we do have a right of access along it.  Many local residents are using this as a dumping place rather than taking their rubbish to the proper facilities. We all object to picking up dog poo bags casually discarded ,or thrown up into trees.  Local parents should be aware that we found many tins and bottles of alcohol, including part finished bottles of wine and spirits. It is doubtful that those clearing the trackway will be doing it again in future years.

1st Nov 2019 - Congratulations to Maureen Wyatt on achieving a Gold award for her garden at the Portishead in Bloom presentation evening at the Folk Hall.

10th Sept - Badgers are getting into Down Road allotment and decimating Sweet Corn crops. They are also digging into manure heaps.

Sat 3rd August 2019 -  Our Allotment BBQ went splendidly and was enjoyed by 30+ members and their families from both of our sites.  Their ages ranged from just a few months to 80+.  The weather was super although there were a few early spots that threatened to put a damper on early proceedings. Activities started at 5 pm and continued until most people drifted away at 8pm when the temperature dropped with the setting sun. Our chef for the evening was Brian Thompson, who also procured all of the food, ably assisted by his lady, Lizzie, making ratatouille and Keith assisting at the BBQs.  The group and chefs were warmly thanked by the overall organiser, Paul Dunn, with warm acknowledgement from all those attending.  The common feeling was that we must do this again and the suggestion was to have another in September after the schools have returned.  

29th July - Congratulations to members for their successes at Portishead Summer Show

Barrie Wright, Liz Youngs and Mary Fielden at Beach Hill. Jane Pagano, Trevor Mussett and Geoff Harris at Down Road.   If you were not spotted as having won please let the President know and we will add your name here.

Mon 25th June 2019 - we have now had two seasons where Highdown Infants children have been invited to and used our allotments at Down Road as a teaching aid and for an outdoor excursion with great success. Thank you to Mrs Skinner for organising this.

June 4 - At The Deans entrance an area has been cordoned off as a reserve for bees feeding on the flowering clover. This was a successful experiment and liked by the RHS assessor.

June 2 - Congratulations to Portishead in Bloom who have been given the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.                                     This is the volunteer equivalent of an MBE.  Only 4 were issued to the whole of Somerset.

July First week - RHS It'sYour Neighbourhood Assessment at both Down Road and Beach Hill sites

Can all allotment holders please make an extra effort to have both allotments looking at their best for the judging.

Down Road would like to hang on to their "Outstanding" classification and Beach Hill are entering for the first time.

June Sat 8th/Sun 9th - Portishead in Bloom’s Open Gardens 

16 gardens will be on show of which 5 are new gardens. Food will be served at some venues and plant sales at others.

The programmes detailing the gardens, together with a map, are on sale NOW. Just £5 pp from

Ebb and Flo and Motorcare in the High Street,    Portishead Kitchens, (Kestrel Court),     Heaven on the Hill (West Hill),                          The Ship (Redcliffe Bay)      Brackenwood Nursery (Abbots Leigh)

1 May - Portishead Summer Show schedules are now available, either as a printed copy for £1 in local shops, or via website https://portisheadsummershow.com/competitive-class-entries/ as a downloadable PDF file.   Why not get your plan ready for those classes that you fancy entering. The show is on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th July.

If you are entering an exhibit your entries must be made on Saturday 20th July 10am -12 at Folk Hall, or Monday/Tuesday 22/23 July 10am -7pm at the Show Field.

15 March 2019 - Beach Hill -  Mary Fielden’s pretty arrangement of flowers was rewarded with a first-prize certificate at the Portishead Spring Show.

25 Feb 2019  - There was some New hawthorn hedge planting at Down Road to increase site security and provide additional habitat for birds and insects.