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Attending an Allotment during lockdown?

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  • 28-03-2020 10:35am
    #1
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭


    Hi

    I am wondering does anyone know whether attending an allotment is permitted during the new lockdown period?

    The UK have stated that it is permitted, but restrictions in place around distancing (not normally an issue).

    https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information/

    I am wondering does this fall within food production (which it is), or within exercise within the 2km restriction?

    I know there are bigger issues at stake here, but it is a good form of escape for many (including myself)

    Any opinions much appreciated


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    #2
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    Wear a hi vis jacket make sure the back of the car is full of horticultural effects and tell the gardai should they flag you down that you are in food production, its the case. You just need to look like you are a grower and not a chancer

    and take the back roads ;)


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    #3
    Flipperdipper
    Registered Users Posts: 180 ✭✭Flipperdipper


    You can travel within two kilometers of your home for the purpose of exercise, bending, stretching, walking, weight lifting.....all gardening activities.


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    #4
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    My garden is out the back of my house. Don't need to leave the house till next Saturday for shopping.

    I spent the morning working on my new chicken run.


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    #5
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    Harry Palmr wrote: »
    ... take the back roads ;)

    All great advice bar this bit. I am in the middle of Dublin, so no real back road option !!


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    #6
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    Destiny Round Spaniel wrote: »
    My garden is out the back of my house. Don't need to leave the house till next Saturday for shopping.

    I spent the morning working on my new chicken run.

    You are lucky to have the space around you. This time is a fantastic opportunity to get stuff like that done around the place, if you have both the materials and space. Good luck with it all


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    #7
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    As an FYI, I contacted the council but don't expect to hear anything back until some time later in the week.

    I also contacted one of my Councillors, and in his defense he got back to me within the hour. He confirmed the allotments were still open, and expected them to be open as long as the parks remain open. I had raised the question of food production and health benefits of gardening to him, and he said he would raise it with the council and ensure they remain open as long as possible - but obviously adhere to the general social distancing principles !

    I popped up yesterday to collect something from there, and the Gardai were driving behind me when I parked and did not stop me so assume all relatively good


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    #8
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 16,720 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    gnf_ireland wrote: »
    As an FYI, I contacted the council but don't expect to hear anything back until some time later in the week.

    I also contacted one of my Councillors, and in his defense he got back to me within the hour. He confirmed the allotments were still open, and expected them to be open as long as the parks remain open. I had raised the question of food production and health benefits of gardening to him, and he said he would raise it with the council and ensure they remain open as long as possible - but obviously adhere to the general social distancing principles !

    I popped up yesterday to collect something from there, and the Gardai were driving behind me when I parked and did not stop me so assume all relatively good

    I saw that all the South Dublin allotments closed a couple of days ago. Shame really given that social distancing is designed into allotments, but understandable from the Council given the circumstances.


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    #9
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    Dónal wrote: »
    I saw that all the South Dublin allotments closed a couple of days ago. Shame really given that social distancing is designed into allotments, but understandable from the Council given the circumstances.

    DLR are still keeping their's open for the moment. That said, I have not been up since the weekend, but was told they were being kept open as long as the parks were


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    #10
    Harry Palmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 40,061 ✭✭✭✭Harry Palmr


    And that's that for some, everyone else will follow no doubt.

    https://twitter.com/Fingalcoco/status/1245419354574983168


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    #11
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    Harry Palmr wrote: »
    And that's that for some, everyone else will follow no doubt.

    https://twitter.com/Fingalcoco/status/1245419354574983168

    Just had a message from DLR council - all allotments closing at 5pm tomorrow !! Guess it will be a very lean year produce wise !!!

    Guess none of them have ever been at an allotment !


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    #12
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,477 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    gnf_ireland wrote: »
    Guess none of them have ever been at an allotment !
    maybe they have, but realise there are bigger things at stake.


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    #13
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    maybe they have, but realise there are bigger things at stake.

    Yeah there are bigger things at stake - I fully accept that. But in the grand scheme of things allotments are less risk than parks as numbers are very limited and there are dedicated spaces for each individual plot holder.

    But accept these are extra-ordinary times ! But we need to keep in mind the longer this goes on the harder it becomes for everyone if it’s exceptionally strict. And I think most understand this will go on beyond Easter !!


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    #14
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    Reading this makes me glad I have my own land. Planting a quarter of an acre of veg.


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    #15
    gnf_ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 431 ✭✭gnf_ireland


    Destiny Round Spaniel wrote: »
    Reading this makes me glad I have my own land. Planting a quarter of an acre of veg.
    Yes being master of your own destiny is always preferable. Lets see what the councils decide over the next while.

    I see the Green Party have made a statement, but will see if it makes a difference. Its more about the sequence they reverse the lockdown as much as anything else at this stage

    https://www.greenparty.ie/greens-call-on-minister-harris-to-recognise-allotments-as-essential-food-outlets/


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