Kids on Allotments - am I a grumpy old woman?

[clareg]

Hi,

I enjoy going to my allotment, lots of peace and quiet and an occasional chinwag with friendly neighbours.

My nearest neighbour has never said a word in 2 years, ok, so not everyone is friendly so we just get on with gardening. But they have 2 kids who scream and shout and do whatever they want, this includes going in other peoples allotments. We told them off the other day for picking apples from someone else's plot.

Went down to the allotment last night to find a note on the greenhouse saying "sorry" and giving a plot number (the one with the kids). Opened the greenhouse to find a pane of glass in the roof smashed and lots of tomato and aubergine stems broke.

When I looked around the allotment other things had been disturbed such as the net around my swede has been unstaked.

I reported it to the secretary, who has had other complaints about them.

Am I wrong to want peace & quiet? Maybe I am being too intolerant as I don't have any kids of my own?

What are other peoples opinions on children on allotments? I'm all for children learning about veg but these kids are clearly not interested and the parents are ignoring them in favour of gardening.

Clareg

[kirsty b]

I have offspring and I don't think you are being intolerant. I would be mortified if Lauren or the boys did stuff like that on the allotments and I ended up getting complaints.
I would have their guts for garters too, and they know it

The kids do come to the allotment with me sometimes, or pop in if they are passing and see the car there.

[Alison]

Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with kids on the lottie - I used to go down with my grandad when he was looking after me. However, thre is a problem with kids misbehaving and spoiling it for others. Their parents aren't being fair to you or to their kids, I mean if they don't show them how to behave how the hell are they meant to know?!? I don't really like being round groups of kids but if they're only making a bit of noise then I don't see it as a problem but it sounds like these are basically stealing and trespassing, even if they don't realise it. You did right to speak up but perhaps it would also be a good idea to speak to the parents, they may be oblivious to their kids' exploits, they obviously have some concept of responsibility otherwise they wouldn't have left the sorry note. Good luck sorting it all out!

[lozza_9]

nope your not grumpy
I would have gone loppy if anything was damaged on my plot by kids and I knew who it was.
I am expecting my first child and intend to take it to the plot as soon as I can BUT if its crying and making loads of noise and not get it to stop then I will go home, especially if I can see people working on a plots.
I go for peace and relaxing in the nice fresh air, kids making loads of noise would drive me crazy

Loz

[skegblade]

I don't blame you one bit; you shouldn't worry about reporting them. I wonder how they'd feel if happened to them; I suspect they'd be far from happy.

Phil

[bubblewrap]

People bring their kids down to our allotments the good thing is there is a childrens playground next to the site. Adults banned unless with a child.

[moggssue]

I think taking children to an allotment is a good thing, teaching them where food comes from, how to grow it and hopefully giving them a healthy hobby rather than hanging around on street corners. However, they do need to be taught how to behave, to respect other people's property and right to peace and quiet. I would be very cross in your position clareg - but think it's more the fault of the parents than the children, how are they supposed to learn correct behaviour if they don't learn it from their parents? There is a definite lack of respect in this country today (one of my hobby horses in case you hadn't noticed!) - I think you are right to complain. Why should you have to put up with other people's badly behaved children. I hope things get sorted out for you.

[clareg]

Hi,

I never seem to be online when everyone else is! Cleared all the glass out the greenhouse, have a few green tomatoes from broken stems but hopefully they will ripen on the windowsill! The allotment neighbours weren't there last night, but I'll probably see them over the weekend.

I am glad they left a note, shows that they are responsible (or at the very least feel guilty) so we'll see what happens.

I agree with all the comments, quite happy to see kids at allotments learning about nature etc, but it's against our allotment rules to enter another persons allotment, I think that's whats bothered me most. I want to know that my veggies are safe when I leave them, its bad enough battling slugs and rabbits!

Clareg

[Eden]

Crikey me Claireg,
I'd be furious with these people, I know they left a note but the damage has alreay been done. The note didn't say if they were going to repair/replace the broken glass? It's such a difficult situation because in my experience if you try and approach the parents they tend to stick up for their kids, in my day I would have been made to apolgize to the person face to face then home for a telling off. I would ask the sectretary what was going to be done in light of the other complaints - it might put your mind at rest if you know something will be sorted. I take my kids often to the allotments and they behave really well, infact, other allotmenteers call them over, give them little jobs to do and they get strawberries and other goodies for helping. I never ever let my kids on other peoples allotments and keep a close eye on them. Good luck in resolving this matter,
best wishes
Eden

[Flummery]

It's a case of the children being unsupervised though isn't it? Our kids came with us when we had a lottie and they were little. They knew that they didn't go on ANYONE ELSE'S allotment though and they never had anything they could have lobbed through a greenhouse window.
You are right to be angry and putting a little note saying 'sorry' is no help at all. I wish people would take real responsibility for their children.

[nick the grief]

Valid point Flummery. we have a "no kids unless under supervision" rule on our plot ( that being said there is one exception and he's about 12 ish and has a half plot of his own and puts us all to shame!!

If they were to cause seriious damage (say knacker up the site lawnmower) the parents would be liable or if they were to get injured they wouldn't have any recourse.

I think it is perfecty OK for you to want to go up there and not have hassle.

[nick the grief]

Just as an after thought they won't keep going down there long Clareg. I asked my two if they would like to come down to the lottie with their Dad and I'd treat them to a bottle of pop & some crisps.....




I took that as a no

[rustylady]

I'm all for kids on allotments! My grandchildren come with me and they are learning about gardening and growing. However, they are always kept on my plot, and are made aware that they are not allowed to wander around. No way do they go onto anyone else's plot. They do not throw things, either. I think the main problem is not the children, but the lack of supervision. I certainly think that plotholders who damage other people's property or allow their children or visitors to do so should at least be warned, and if no improvement then maybe their lease should be terminated.

[Paulottie]

I don't suppose any of us have the right to peace and quiet, but you normally find with lawnmowers, petrol hedgetrimmers, kids, fires etc. that yours are slightly less annoying than other peoples'. There is some headland at our site that where the children normally play and I often mow it for them. It always helps if they have a bit of land to work/play on. My young ones are still sometimes tediously noisy though!

I try to be both tolerant and considerate -which is a Zen character improving challenge for me as I was born cynical and grumpy. However, I think my elastic limit would be stretched if my crops or equipment were damaged. It is a serious responsibility to teach your children respect and whilst accidents happen, and a note shows admirable honesty- it is not enough; you should expect an offer to help fix the damage. You are definitely going to confront them and discover their real attitude now.

What I am trying to say is: You can not carry on having them interfere with other plots but I hope you will be able to start an improved relationship rather than descending to acrimony. I don't think getting cross and bickering or driving them off will teach the kids anything positive.

[TPeers]

What a difficult situation! This is the parents problem. No one thinks it acceptable if a puppy runs amok, it is accepted that the puppy must learn manners. The same holds good for children - including my own! - These children need guidelines and rules.

If I found my kids damaging other peoples gear or veg on their rare visits to the grandparents plot they would have hell to pay! Some form of restitution would be in order as decided by the 'victim', pocket money for the glass, a spell of weeding or watering. Something which is of use to the injured party and rubs home the problem they have caused. That is also might teach them something is a useful bonus!


Oh yeah - if they go on about the kids 'rights' to able to go where they choose - remind them that 'rights' have no legal definition! The correct terms are duties and privileges - for any privilege there is a duty - in this case a duty of care and respect for others.

Terry