The National Allotment Society

The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd was formed in 1930 by the amalgamation of the Allotments Organisation Society and the National Union of Allotment Holders. The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) is the national representative body for the allotment movement in the U.K. We have recently adopted the working name of 'The National Allotment Society', to help people better understand who we are and what we do, but when it comes to official business we are still the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited (our registered name).

Our origins date from 1901, as a members' co-operative, and even today we operate as an Industrial and Provident Society, whereby we are owned, managed and funded by our members. Individual and Life members each receive one 10p share and have the right to vote at our AGM; while Associations, Local Authorities, District Bodies and Federations receive one 10p share per group and can have one vote per group at our AGM.

The Society covers mainly England and Wales, but now has increasing membership from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Current membership in 2012/13 is 122,000; comprising of 2,422 Associations, 1,106 individual members, 346 Local Authorities, 24 Schools and 547 Life Members and 9 Landowners.

The Society owns four small allotment sites, two of which are leased to Local Authorities. Through our membership we serve nearly 122,000 allotmenteers, assisting them to acquire, maintain, manage and enjoy allotments across the country. Allotment gardening is the only recreational activity enshrined in law in the UK, meaning that through our in-house lawyer, we fight for the rights of allotment holders and advise in regards to tenancy agreements, land disputes, rent rises and misunderstandings. On a national level we serve the allotment movement by lobbying the Government, to ensure the provision of allotments is met and statutory allotment sites are not sold off or developed without consultation.

Our Mission Statement is:
The National Allotment Society (NSALG) is the leading national organisation upholding the interests and rights of the allotment community across the UK. We work with government at national and local levels, other organisations and landlords to provide, promote and preserve allotments for all. We offer support, guidance and advice to everyone with an interest in allotment gardening.

Great_Britain