Could be a long wait

[ChrisB]

Just been across the to the allotments where I've put my name down, to try and find out how long the waiting list is. Unfortuantely the chap is reluctant to let them to lady gardeners, because he feels they spuddle about and these are some of the best allotments around and he doesn't want anybody not keeping them properly

Maybe I should put the seed catalogue away

Maybe he will surprise me, you never know

[martini]

No way Chris - quote him the Sex Discrimination Act ! [if that doesn't work drag along a man ]

[Bex]

Thats disgusting, surely thats not legal!

[Birdie Wife]

Shameful carry on. At least he was straight with you, rather than letting you hang on indefinately. You need to bear in mind though that he may be speaking from experience (ask him!). Show him your plans for the place, show him your well-worn spade and fork, your mucky wellies and try to get him interested in what you want from the place. If you wanted to get involved in any allotment association/ veggie trials going on, so much the better. I suspect if you persevere, he'll realise you mean business rather than just wanting to 'spuddle about' (what a great phrase - I'm going to try and work that one into conversation!).

Don't be disheartened, getting your own allotment will feel all the better for having to work at it. All the best, and let us know how you get on.

[ChrisB]

I know it sounds bad, but he's an old chap who has had an allotment there for 47 years, I think personal pride comes into it. I nearly said he could let me have one of his four allotments, but didn't want to push my luck

He is definitely the 'old school' type. He has fallen out with a lady on the allotment because she objected to him shooting a pigeon, which he does occasionally to keep the rest of them away.

I haven't given up, I shall make my presence felt. I asked if he minded me visiting the allotments to pick the dandelions on the path for the tortoise and he offered me some greens on his plot. I shall go and pass the time of day with him and take it from there

[skegblade]

I would do just that Chris; my OH does it all the time while I'm busy digging/ clearing etc. We leave with flowers and all sorts of veg; must be her womanly touch; if I'm on my own I leave with nothing Good luck with your quest

[ugly gourd]

Ive handed out 4 allotments in the past month all to women with young families you have to give everybody a fair chance last year I gave an allotment to three lads all17 they did a great job of clearing it and put a shed they renovated on it this year they have all got jobs and decided to give it up so I gave it to one of the women who said I want an allotment but dont know what to do she went and looked at it and was so chuffed because it looked just like the one in her book, so I had no worries with her but her OH knocked on my door really chuffed because hed found a blackcurrant plant and I had to explain it was deadly nightshade!!

[Alison]

Can't believe he actually said that to your face, beggers belief! You're far more patient / polite than I'd be, ChrisB, I'd have given him a right mouthfull - actually that's not a bad idea, swear profusely at him then he can't claim you're a lady!

[ChrisB]

Now there's a thought, could be quite entertaining but suspect it would backfire on me

Don't think he's one of the politically correct brigade do you?

[Alison]

Somebody my dad used to know who was a director at an engineering company once told him that he wasn't going to employ women engineers anymore as he'd had one once and she was useless. Not sure if my dad then pointed out what I do! Perhaps it's the same guy. Can just about cope with a bit of patronisation (can I help you with that love etc etc) through gritted teeth but this one is unbelievable.

[Lesley Jay]

I have got 6 people on my waiting list for plots and they are all women. I can't believe this guys attitude. He is living in a different era.

[ChrisB]

Don't worry, I'm not giving up, and he may just surprise me yet. Even half an allotment would be good.

Much as I love my chickens it would be great to be able to plant out in the garden without having to make it look like Fort Knox

I've only had to plant the bulbs in rockery twice so far where the little devils have got behind the wire fencing and had agood scratch around

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

well Chris you are a much better person then me I think I would have given him a piece of my mind and told him not to judge me with others that have gone before me,as i wouldn't judge him with all the other old fashioned sexist biggots that have been before him. I glad my 86 year old allotment chief (or whatever he is called )isn't of the same ilk.

[Shortie]

Chris, I have to be agree that you've been very level headed about it, as I think it's terrible to not give plots to women. Maybe he'd like to meet the retired lady who owns the plot opposite me... She manages 6 plots on her own as she's widowed and her plots are fab. She's someone I look up to.

However, I can understand what you're doing now too as it's quite obvious he won't give you a plot unless you work at him, and sounding off at him will ensure no plot from him, ever. And as it's something you really want to have, your plan of attack to sweeten him up towards you is a fab idea - good luck

You will keep us updated on how it goes won't you?

[ChrisB]

I'll keep you posted.

I'll try the slowly slowly catchy monkey route first, then I like the previous suggestion of swearing to show him I'm no lady

I could go to other allotments in the area, but this one is just across the road from me, well if I could walk directly through the garden of the house opposite me it would be, otherwise its 100yd walk.

I accept there may be none available at the moment, but I'm going to ask other allotment holders if there are any and take a walk around and look. I can't make my mind up whether he is just a cantankerous old devil and means it, or will come up trumps.