Some Advice Please

[Ian White]

OK

Here's the problem chaps,the other week i went round to the plot and could not get in the gates were locked,the problem is that the first set of gates are a set of school gates that need to be unlocked by the caretaker of the school.

I asked a few of the other plot holders today if this was normal at the weekends and to my shock ,they some times dont unlock them until 10-30 in the morning some times they are unlocked before that time ,One chap said that we should get togher and write to the council and demand something is done as we are paying rent to them,but i have a feeling they want me to write the letter on there behalf.

On School days there is not a problem as the gates are unlocked to allow the children in to the school areas.

Has any one got any ideas or advice how we should try and sort this little problem out.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post,Ian

P.S Sorry but i think i might have put this in the wrong place could a nice mod move it if i have please

[Jeanied]

Ian if I were you I'd have a chat with the caretaker and ask for his advice! He is the keyholder and would need to agree with whatever is suggested as a solution. He may be able to talk to the council on your behalf. Or get in touch with the allotments officer at the council who may be able to sort it all out for you.

[nerdgas]

Maybe they could change the lock to a combination one and let the plot holders have this for use at the weekend?

[binley100]

Maybe they could change the lock to a combination one and let the plot holders have this for use at the weekend?

sounds like a good idea . What would happen if you were there late on a Summers evening and got locked in

[Snadger]

What happens when the schools on holiday?

This sounds like the council need a rethink with a view to possibly re-siting the allotment gates?

[Ian White]

Thanks for the replys so far,as for what happens when the schools on holiday i am not too sure as i am quite new on the site,i think i will call the council on Monday and see what they say.

Thanks for the advice and ideas,Ian

[jacob marley]

The people you pay your rent to should provide a key it sound like the PC brigade have not found out because one of your plot holders could be a funny person and like children and there do's not seem to be any seperation.forgive me if i am wrong but some thing do's not seem right....jacob

[Ian White]

Jacob i understand what you are saying but there are two gates,the first one we are talking about is the one to the school so you walk a little way down the drive to get to the gate for the Allotments,we all have keys to the gate for the Allotments but no keys for the school gates so if that is locked we carnt get in.

So there is some seperation between the plots and the school drive way.Hope that clears a few things up

All the best,Ian

[Daz]

Hi
Wow that would not fit in with me at all can be at the plot at first light in the summer etc, but as to your problem I think the grapes have given some good ideas. My first contact would be the allotment chairman etc to see what the history is then moving on to the caretaker, but go softly softly with him/her as you do not want to make it worse or get his/her back up because they think you have gone to their boss etc.
best of luck in sorting this out

[Flummery]

I'd ask if you could get a key for the first gate for each allotment holder. (Or a combination - good idea and cheaper). The problem, as I know working at a school for many years, is that if the Caretaker unlocks, he'll want half an hour's ovetime. From the school. They won't want to pay it. Why should they? You really need the allotment officer to take this on board and get something sorted out.

[Storming Norman]

Ah I know this one - our site is inside a local park and is locked/unlocked whenever the park is locked. And we get locked in if they forget to check our gate to see if it is open. That happened 6 times last year to one guy.

We cannot get a park key from the council so we get less access to site than other council plots. There is no winning this one.

The guy in question called the police!

[Ian White]

At last we have some good news the council have now reopened a small gate that they welded shut some years ago,so we now have a gate to get in but you car'nt get your car in,but at least were going in the right direction,i hope.

All the best,Ian