New allotment - where do we begin?

I took over a plot in November which hadn't been used for some time.  The plot is 45 ft x 75 ft and every inch of it was couch grass, dandelions, dock etc.  I just started on a 10 x 10 ft square, turned it over and left it to the elements to break the soil down.  Once I had turned each section, I went back over each one and pulled out the couch grass until you could rake each plot smooth.  This gives you a really good chance of spotting weeds that start to come through and ripping them straight out.  I didn't apply any chemicals and the work was the toughest thing I have ever done but it was so very enjoyable.  As someone said earlier, enjoy it, you will appreciate the work you put in later on. At this point, I have been collecting fruit and veg for some months and have one last bed to dig.  I do agree about the carpet, our allotment committee have just asked everyone to remove any carpet they have and it is a nightmare to know what to do with it.

I'm a novice, but I discovered the 'always been there' chaps snigger at strimming!
Get stuck in with hard graft tools, clear a patch, get something growing, then clear the rest!
Two or three days well earned drinkies and tiredness well worth it!

Most important point when taking over rubbish plot: give yourself a regular pat on the back for every plant you get to grow, every sq m you get clear...  there will be times you doubt you'll ever get it all clear and useful -- but you will! so always be positive about what you've done, not negative about what you still have to do!

taken us 2.5 years to get ours completely clear (using rotatavation, carpet (boo hiss.... but it's free, and going to rot in landfill anyway) and lots of hoeing). but now it's looking great. and we get kudos from the old guys for  not doing raised beds and from our fellow ex-urban-right-ons for not weedkilling....

get a good hoe - it will become your best friend!

weed control fabric

Hi again,

Sorry I have not been back, busy digging — and digging — and digging lol. Allotment now clear with just the turf to get rid of, hard work, but worth it, spud lates are doing well with a good crop of runner beans.
Anyway, enough of my drivel, can someone please advise as to the best weed control fabric to use. After all this hard work it would be nice not to have to do too much again, aware that weeds will take some dealing with but do not like using chemicals (my choice), presently using old carpet (also aware that leaving carpet down for too long can present further problems) but would like to use fabric for a raised strawberry bed!

Any advise gratefully received happy digging all

Noshed's suggestions are really good.

If you want a more substantial covering, the woven stuff is the best to go for.  It lasts a long time if you get the better stuff, and can be re-used.  Plastic prevents water and air from getting to the soil, which isn't ideal.  And carpet has a lot of problems - chemicals leach into the soil, it breaks down, weeds grow through it etc etc.