Lost the plot's

[marmite]

Hello. In the Mail on line, today a man has had his allotment taken away, due to not growing enough produce. He had 2 plots and the photo shows he did not maintain it well. There is a picture and statment form council and disgruntaled holder. Have a read. Regards from Marmite proving he can be serious for once.

[stupo74]

Hi Marmite,
Found the article you posted about. I don't want to get into a big debate about the story, but feel i must comment.
This chap has a reasonable claim (my opinion only) How do they evaluate what is classed as "cultivated adequetly", it has been accepted for twenty years, with little change why now??? They should (the council) actually assist the bloke in the extra cultivation, He afterall, has been a very loyal tenant,(paying for his plot yearly without fuss) "Did the council look after all the vacant plots,over the last twenty years?? "Cultivated Adequetly" ???
I think not, There will be many people out there (myself included) that will tell you stories about plots vacant on sites that would make the jungles of Borneo look good.
I just wonder how many "Expense Claims" have gone in from council workers concerned with the case???
My conclusion,,,,," Leave the chap be"
cheers stupo.

[Lesley Jay]

Having been the secretary of our local allotments and the person who sent out the non cultivation letters to plot holders I can tell you it is a problem. I flatly refused to send letters to plot holders who were growing veg but not using the entire plot. I received constant phone calls from people on the waiting list and letters from people who wanted a plot pointing out which plots weren't cultivated, asking if they could have a particular plot.

I think where this guy is concerned that he was probably the victim of letters sent to the council's allotment officer from people wanting his plots.

My solution would have been simple - have a chat and ask him to combine the produce he grew into just one plot. The vacant plot would then be divided into two half plots and get two people off the waiting list.

Here's a link to the story:-

Losing the plot... Gardener's fury as he is thrown off his allotment for not growing enough veg | Mail Online

[marmite]

I would have told the council its organic,and a wild life garden and the EEC is looking of giving me a grant and expences. There's an allotment site around here that earmarked for something. No one can get a plot there.It's now a place for fly tipping. They offer some as much as 5 miles away and no transport links. No good if you dont own a car.Have a good day tomorrow from Marmite

[ian digs]

I think its ridiculous to throw this guy off his plots just because they were not both being used for veg. If you look around most sites you will find plots that are half veg and half flowers, does this mean they should be thrown off their plots as well. I've been waiting for a plot for quite some time but I wouldn't have this guy evicted for this, it's just the way it is. I personally think a natural look is better than regimented ranks of carrots and peas etc. People use their plots as a retreat or an escape (usually from the mrs. ) for relaxation or stress busting. Leave the guy alone you jobsworths come out of your offices a bit more and smell reality.
Wow what a way to intrduce yourself on a web sight, That article really got my back up.
p.s. great web site

[Thomas W]

The Cheltenham Borough Council should definitely lay out more plots, if the demand is so high. Get moving!

Mr. Weston: Stop signing contracts on something you don't really want and find another way to get what you want.

[stupo74]

Hi Thomas,

Mr. Weston: Stop signing contracts on something you don't really want and find another way to get what you want.
__________________
Surely if this chap has been signing a contract and paying his money, he wants this "Little Retreat".
This person will be old enough to remember the last great depression, and at the time would probably have been the age you are now.
Let me bring to your attention, that without these "Old Hat" plot holders, where would we be now?? in terms of "Knowledge"
I wish that the chap was not so far away, as i would gladly allow him a little space here to,, "Retreat"
As i did not want to get into a big debate, my mouth is now closed on the subject,,,,,,,,, "Thank god they all said" cheers stupo.

[Thomas W]

Originally Posted by stupo74

... Surely if this chap has been signing a contract and paying his money, he wants this "Little Retreat". ...

It seems so. But what's IN that contract?

... According to the contract he signed 20 years ago, he must keep the land in good condition and use at least 75 per cent of it for cultivating fruit and vegetables.

He admits he now only uses around 50 per cent of each plot to grow soft fruits such as rhubarb, raspberries and gooseberries, but says he has had no complaints in 20 years. ...

Originally Posted by stupo74

... This person will be old enough to remember the last great depression, and at the time would probably have been the age you are now.
Let me bring to your attention, that without these "Old Hat" plot holders, where would we be now?? in terms of "Knowledge" ...

And I'm grateful for that.

Originally Posted by stupo74

... I wish that the chap was not so far away, as i would gladly allow him a little space here to,, "Retreat" ...

Me too.

Originally Posted by stupo74

... As i did not want to get into a big debate, my mouth is now closed on the subject,,,,,,,,, "Thank god they all said" ...

No they didn't.

[Lesley Jay]

If you look at the photo's properly you can see why Mr Weston has been evicted. The first photo shows him standing on grassland with a small bed having been dug out. The second photo is misleading because it looks like Mr Weston has cultivated the left half of his plot leaving the right side full of weeds. But he only grows potatoes, spinach, lettuce and onions and there are bean and pea supports on the left of the photo. So they are obviously two separate plots worked by two different allotmenteers.

If you enlarge the photo you can see a couple of small beds dug out amongst the weeds on the right hand side. This is why he has lost his plots. They really are uncultivated.

There are loads of people who would love to have an allotment so that they can grow their own veg. Is it really fair that one person can have two allotment plots that are neglected, uncultivated and so overgrown with weeds?

I would offer Mr Weston a half plot which would be a more manageable size for him to work.