Threats from the Council Allotment Office.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Beryl, and they are a true inspiration to all, and a real credit to you.

[Beryl]

Thank you OH .

Regards
Beryl.

[Shallot Man]

COMPO. Re security metal fencing, the cost is astronomical, it would seem that the Chinese are buying up all the scrap, driving the fencing cost's through the ceiling.

[snooky]

Had a letter today from the Allotment Office putting my rent up from £1-85 a perch to £2-13 a perch from February next year to be reinvested in the Allotment service!!!

[Compo]

We have voted on a rule this year which I put my hand up for, to say that when the waitng list exceeds half the number of plots we have in total on the site, then double plot holders should give up half a plot to the newbie, if that half plot deteriorates within three months of the newbie taken it on, the original owner takes it back.

The minimum that you cannot go down beyond is one plot per person. I think this is fair but I know we agreed to differ. You are very lucky Beryl to have two and a half plots but I still think it should never be a right too all that land for life for anyone.

I personally would like to keep two or one and a half plots but am sticking to one in order to make way for newbies, as I remember when I was a newbie and could not get a plot. I can see anyone's point when they have put a lot of work and manure etc into multiple plots but the ground is not ours, it belongs to the planet and the community.

Snooky I think your council should do something about the wasteland, but I would say fair cop if they said that two plots is the minimum, given that the other land is economically not viable at the moment, you are right about the fencing it is something like a thousand pound for ten metres, watchtowers and snipers would be cheaper

CoMpO

[Beryl]

Will you be reimbursing your plotholders for the cost of providing a shed, fruit trees, plants, paving etc. when they are forced to give up.

and when the plot becomes ovegrown again - will you then help the original plotholder to put it back to how they left it?

I doubt it.

I will give up when I can no longer manage our plots and not before and gladly pass on all that I have achieved but not till I am ready to.
There is more to alloments these days than just growing produce. They are friendly communities and I am sure no one at Elson would have me do what you are suggesting.

Beryl.

[Compo]

Beryl we are very friendly here too but we do not want anyone to have to wait a long time for a plot and it to become deadmans's shoes, Sheds and plants can be moved. When someone on our site gives up a plot the are using for someone else, the shed is sold or moved, everyone helps.

Fruit bushes and trees acan be moved, the new plot holder starts cultivating and area of the plot whilst the outgoingr plotholder harvests crops and slowly moves off. It all generally works well. But I guess different sites have different ethos, I know Elson area really well, problem with Gosport there is an increase in inhabitants and being a virtual island no new land to build plots on.

CoMpO

[Beryl]

Sorry Compo but your system just wouldn't work here.

If it hadn't been for many many people like me and John the sites would have been under concrete long ago and the plots wouldn't be there now for future generations to enjoy.

I think I have said enough on the subject - we are never going to agree.

Beryl.

[snooky]

Evening Compo,
I am in full agreement with Beryl"s state ments on the sharing or non-sharing of allotment sites.
It would never work on my site.Too many of the older tenants remember the "wanabees"of the late 70"s,early 80"s and the aftermath when the majority gave their plots up for whatever reason.

[Compo]

I can understand your problem on the bigger sites folks, but we do have system that is working and ninety five percent of folk are happy, it may not work for you guys but it works for us, and what I don't hear anyone saying is 'well done that's food for thought' ..... 'worth thinking about'.....It reminds me of a person I met recently that swore man had not been to the moon and that the earth was flat..............

Your mind is like a parachute.......it won't work unless it is open!!!
CoMpO

[Piglet]

Sorry Compo but your system just wouldn't work here.

If it hadn't been for many many people like me and John the sites would have been under concrete long ago and the plots wouldn't be there now for future generations to enjoy.

I think I have said enough on the subject - we are never going to agree.

Beryl.

I totally agree with you Beryl. Its all very well enforcing compos law when allotments are fashionable but what happens when they are not, just cast your mind back 3-4 years, most sites were begging for tenants. We have 3 and a half plots Compo. The latter one and a half were taken on when we had 48 vacant plots and the council was eyeing up our site with a view to sell it. Well, with a £4 million price tag they would. Over twenty of us took on additional plots to keep the site alive. Now we have awaiting list but even then, 26 of the 35 plots let last year were given up and had to be relet.

Oh, and by the way, even 3 and a half plots doesnt keep two of us in veg all year and we preserve on a huge scale. Six may do, but even with two your only playing at feeding yourself.

[Beryl]

I couldn't have put it better - thank you Piglet.

Beryl.

[Compo]

But allotments are not made for individual self sufficiency, anyway enough said, enjoy while you can, but do remember how lucky you are

CoMpO

[Urban Fox]

I have to agree with Compo.

I've been on a waiting list for over two years and still no chance of even a half plot.

I have a very small garden in London and I grow flowers for the local bumblebees and a few veg for me and the OH.

I have space for half a dozen tomato plants, which give us something nice for lunch - except when the blight gets to them first. I also grow carrots, shallots, a few peas and usually one courgette plant - well one normally makes enough for our needs.

what I dream of planting on the plot is asparagus, potatoes and artichokes. These things take up so much space that I just can't grow them in my own garden.

I don't want to be self sufficient. Being realistic, I have a full time job and wouldn't have the time.

But I know from my own small garden crop how much more taste there is in home grown and the though of fresh asparagus - well - you all know what I mean.

So, sadly I will have to continue waiting, design my plot in my head and dream about the veg I wil grow there.

So, next time you are on your plot - just remember how lucky you are.

Christina

[Compo]

Here Here Christina, come down to Somerset, you can probably get a plot in our village within six months, and there is always a cuppa on the go!!

CoMpO