we've got to wait!

Latest Articles

we've got to wait!
Page 1, 2 Next

Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own

Author

Message

jamila169

Joined: 07 Sep 2008
Posts: 218
Location: North Derbyshire

Posted: Mon Sep 08, 08 11:18 pm Post subject: we've got to wait!

Went to our parish council office today to put our name down for an allotment (about 60% are empty here) and we've got to wait! Apparently they have no allotments available on the most active site(funny that, there's at least 3 with over a year's weed growth on them, no sheds,evidence of any work being done etc) and they are inviting tenders to clear and fence the unused half of it, so won't be ready until the end of Feb.
I really dont get it - there's another site which is fairly well used, but they aren't releasing any until they've re-fenced and cleared that, despite there being an adequate hedge and chainlink alround anyway.
I guess they aren't gardeners!
I'm sending him indoors down on a recce to our preferred site to ask the oldsters about the empty plots, cos they all knew his dad and he's bought most of them a beer over the years, then we'll get the full picture and be able to try and get it sorted.
I really don't fancy having to grow everything in the greenhouse and then having to sort out whatever mess the contactors make before we get started.

cab

Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 32429

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 08 8:04 am Post subject:

This, I think, is one of the things a good local councillor will be able to help you with. If you're willing and able to clear your own plot, and there is one free, then there surely can't be a problem with that, its probably that the person allocating plots has got an agenda more to do with getting them all clear. Providing yout OH comes back with information you want (e.g. 'yes, they're all clear, been no one on those plots for years') get your councillor in on this to help move things on.

lottie

Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 5059
Location: ceredigion

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 08 8:30 am Post subject:
Going to see the site secretary like your partner is doing is the best thing. My husband used to be a site sec. before we moved and it was common practice for our allotments officer to tell people there were no sites or allocate rubbish ones when better ones were available, because their records were never properly up to date.

jamila169

Joined: 07 Sep 2008
Posts: 218
Location: North Derbyshire

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 08 9:43 am Post subject:
I've phoned our very harassed town clerk and she knows that some of the plots are neglected, she even told me who the best old bloke to ask was! and.. she going to write to the holders of said plots and ask if they are intending doing anything- so between the casual and official inquiries we might get somewhere

judith

Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 22789
Location: Montgomeryshire

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 08 10:43 am Post subject:
Good luck.

sharonb

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 42

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 08 11:14 am Post subject:
That sounds very similar to our site, the allotment next to ours has enormous weeds and has had all year, and it's not the only one. The only way we got our allotment so quickly is because my dad was a long time friend of the guy who allocates the plots.

AnnaD

Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 2777
Location: Edinburgh

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 08 12:52 pm Post subject:
We are currently 27th on the waiting list and apparently it's going to take about 10 years to get a plot. But it doesn't help that there is only one set of allotments in the whole of Midlothian, which isn't a small place! Good luck getting yours, it'll be well worth the wait

jamila169

Joined: 07 Sep 2008
Posts: 218
Location: North Derbyshire

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 08 10:05 pm Post subject:

We now have not one but 2 plots! out of sheer impatience we went to another site, which is nearer home -I pass it every day on the school run and they were great! We did visit the other site and they have all kinds of trouble with theft and vandalism, the one we have got on is totally secure, and we know a fair few of the plotholders, which we didn't realise till we got there, plus, chooks are allowed- then plan is to have our veggies, shed and compost on one, and chooks and fruit on the other, with plenty of space so the kids don't crash into things.
Only thing is, I have a stinking cold so this week's a lost one

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35057
Location: Devon

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 08 10:06 pm Post subject:
That sounds ideal.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 08 10:06 pm Post subject:
Yayy for you. Apart from the stinking cold. Get some manure.

Penny Outskirts

Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 23385
Location: Planet, not on the....

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 08 10:07 pm Post subject:
Well that's good news Hope you feel better soon though

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18415

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 08 10:09 pm Post subject:
Great news ! If you get a small area cleared, you could get some garlic and winter onions in shortly.

jamila169

Joined: 07 Sep 2008
Posts: 218
Location: North Derbyshire

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 08 11:41 pm Post subject:

doesn't even need much clearing, Gil, it's been kept mowed so theres only really grass and dandelions to strip off where we want the beds, a fence down one side for now and about a square yard of bindweed in one corner to attack, its on a very gentle south facing slope and backs on to a bank so it's easily a degree or two warmer than the lower part of the site- I think that's what you call a result!

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6612
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 08 1:51 am Post subject:
Not bad for a week and half later!

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 08 6:04 am Post subject:

A freedom of information request, if it can be applied in such cases, is a good method to get local authorities and perhaps parish councils to be more aware of what's going on as they have to do quite a lot of work to ensure the request is complied with. I'm also pretty sure they aren't often fully aware of what their responsibilities are in providing allotments and it's worth writing to them, the press, your MP etc. to highlight these issues.

You may have your allotment but there maybe other who share your previous frustration about not be able to obtain one despite the obvious vacancies.

	Downsizer Forum Index -> Grow Your Own	All times are GMT Page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

View Latest Posts