Craven Vale & Whitehawk Hill Allotments Society (CVWHAS) has set up a Mini Bed Scheme to give people the chance to grow fruit and vegetables on a more manageable piece of land than the standard half or full plot available on the rest of the site.
The Scheme launched in spring 2024, initially with 12 beds, which were soon taken up by people keen to get growing. Since that time, a total of 20 beds have been created.
Find out what some of our first Mini Bedders had to say about the Scheme:
Where is the Mini Bed Scheme plot located?
The plot is located on the Craven Vale site, close to the Beresford Road gate, more or less opposite the CVWHAS Hub.
Who can apply to the Scheme?
The Scheme is open to existing plot holders on either Craven Vale or Whitehawk Hill allotment sites looking to downsize (ie. give up their regular size plots for a smaller piece of land to cultivate).
The Scheme is also open to people on the Council’s waiting list for plots (for both Craven Vale and Whitehawk Hill sites) who will be contacted as and when beds become available. DO NOT CONTACT CVWHAS DIRECTLY. Taking up of a Mini Bed will not affect a person’s position on the waiting list or the ability to take up a regular-sized plot at a later date.
Are the beds accessible?
Unfortunately not as much as we would like. As with most of the Craven Vale site, the plot is on a slope, so beds are not easily accessible for people with mobility issues.
How big are the Mini Beds?
The Mini Beds are all roughly 3m long by 1.2m wide. They are designed so they are easy to maintain from the surrounding paths. All are on a slope and all have a similar aspect with sun for most of the day.
What other areas and facilities are there on the plot?
- Shed – The plot has a large secure communal shed where tools and equipment can be stored. Some shared tools may also be made available.
- Water butts – Water butts have been set up to collect water off the shed from where it can be easily siphoned off into watering cans for use on individual plots. Mains water can also be accessed from taps on the track at the top of the plot (subject to seasonal restrictions).
- Compost bins – At the top of the plot there is a standard compost bin, as well as a tumbler composter, where weeds and biodegradable waste can be disposed of. We ask that no cooked food, meat or fish is put on the compost heaps as these can attract rats.
- Patio – At the top of the plot there is a small patio area with table and chairs to give bed holders the chance to sit down and meet up together.
- Orchard -At the bottom of the plot is a small mixed orchard of young fruit trees. It will be up to the group to maintain this area and to decide how any fruit is distributed.
- Ornamental beds – There are a couple of small beds for flowers and shrubs. Like all the communal areas on the plot, it will be up to the Scheme participants to take care of these.
What can be grown in the Mini Beds?
The beds are for the cultivation of herbs, soft fruit and vegetables only. As mentioned, there is a small communal orchard and ornamental beds for the growing of other plants.
How much does it cost to have a Mini Bed?
Standard annual rent for a Mini Bed is just £12 a year. This includes membership of Craven Vale & Whitehawk Hill Allotments Society, which in itself provides automatic membership to the National Allotments Society (giving access to discounted seeds through Kings Seeds, as well as public liability cover).
Other FAQs for those interested in a Mini Bed
Can I have more than one bed?
No, we limit everyone to one bed to enable as many people as possible to benefit from the Scheme.
If I’m offered and take up a half or full plot, can I keep my Mini Bed?
No, the Mini Beds are designed to be ‘starter’ plots for those looking to see what it’s like growing their own produce or for those who only want a very small area to cultivate.
Should a Mini Bed holder ‘graduate’ to a half or full plot, they have one month to relocate their plants and vacate their beds from the time they have been offered a plot.
What happens if I want to give up my Mini Bed?
You are required to give CVWHAS one month’s notice of your intention to give up, to remove any plants you want to keep and to cover the ground to prevent weeds, so it is in a state ready for reletting.
Will I be given keys to the site and shed?
For site security, not everyone is able to have their own key. However, a key safe scheme is organized between bedholders to ensure everyone has easy access to the site. The shed is secured using a pin code lock.
How do bed holders work together?
Whilst each bed is cultivated individually, CVWHAS expects Mini Bed holders to work together as a group to maintain and keep tidy the common areas of the plot and to share produce from the orchard area. In this way, the group is expected to be almost self-running with CVWHAS involvement being minimal. New bed holders have the option to join an established WhatsApp group, which has proved really helpful for communication and coordination between the members.
What is the required ‘Code of Conduct’?
All new mini bed holders will be subject to a 3-month probationary period to assess their commitment to managing their plots and their respect of Scheme and Allotment rules. If it is clear at this stage, or at any time thereafter that a plot has not been sufficiently worked (ie. an excess of weeds, no or little cultivation) or that the bed holder is not respecting the communal areas or allotment site (e.g. rubbish left around, inappropriate materials brought on site) then CVWHAS reserves the right to end the tenancy agreement with the bedholder and to exclude them from the site.
How are the beds allocated?
Beds are allocated on a ‘first come, first served basis’, with those eligible for the Scheme being invited to a letting session and given a choice (where possible) of beds available. At this stage, a tenancy agreement will be signed and the rental charge for the year will need to be paid.
“The Mini Bed Scheme is a really good idea. I’ve been on the allotment waiting list for more than 3 years so was really pleased to finally get something to work on…It’s been great meeting and chatting with the other bedholders and seeing what they’ve achieved. I’ve also learnt an awful lot, which will help me when I move on to a full-size plot”.Della, Mini Bed tenant
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