The Baldock Allotments and Leisure Gardeners Association has billed Wednesday night’s extraordinary general meeting as the most important in its 32-year history.

At the meeting – which takes place at St Mary’s Church Hall in Baldock at 7.45pm – members will vote on whether they want to take over the management of the allotments at North Road and Clothall Road.

The allotments have been controlled by the local authority for about 100 years, and if two-thirds of the association accept self-management, the group will be handed a 25-year lease of the sites from North Herts District Council.

An association spokesman said: “It has taken more than three years to negotiate the terms of leases for the sites so that we may assume the greater role of full self-management.

“Our aim is to provide a better service to all of our plot holders, to provide better amenities and to reduce the rents from the current high level charged by the district council.

“As this is such an important issue we strongly encourage all with an interest to attend.”

Councillor Jane Gray, who is executive member for leisure at the district council, said: “We feel that it would be a positive step for the Association to take over the running of the allotments as it would mean that the local community can decide on their own priorities and give them greater flexibility to run the allotments how they would like to.

“We look forward to hearing the result of the vote at the meeting next week.”

Voting will be restricted to members, but there will be an opportunity to join half an hour before the meeting begins.

You can also join the association – for £5 per year – by contacting chairman Mick Camp at 01462 893418.