Exciting changes afoot on our site!

[chris]

My biggest gripe about it is, yes fine - take the plot (I don't have an issue with that), but when we've a large waiting list - they won't give one up, or split it into two..

If all the people with multiple plots (3+) on my site split them into half and gave them up (as in, their extra plots like mine was), we'd have no waiting list. Half of them just grow spuds/squash on them to cover the ground, if it's not covered with tarps!

But still, this isn't about ranting I'd love to be on the committee at my place - I just don't have the time to spare at the moment!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Chris, why should someone give up a plot ot part of a plot if they have gone to the trouble of making it workable? Preposterous proposition.

[chris]

Well, they don't work them as well as their first plots (even admitted themselves). When I took my plot on they split it in two, which I was fine with as I was happy to get a bit of land to grow in - but half of their plots are covered, and the other halves are used pretty much for squash and spuds.

A lot are over grown with weeds too, coming out from under the tarps. It's frustrating for us, but I suppose if the shoe was on the other foot I'd not want to give it up either

[Nicos]

Some people have no idea how much pleasure they can create do they?....mostly when they disappear out of you life!!!!

[SarzWix]

On our site, everyone on the committee had at least 2 plots at one time. Some of them had 4 and then their husband or wife had more. Those same people fought with the council on two occasions to stop the land being built on. Slowly, as there was wider interest in the allotments, they've all given plots up for let until all they were left with was the ones they were getting full use out of. That means this particular person went from working 8 allotments with their OH, to 4. I have no problem with that.

When money has been spent on getting the plots into shape, polytunnels, sheds and greenhouses are sited, soil fertility has been worked on and built-up, and full use is being made of the plots, why should they be forced to give them up? Especially when the ones they've voluntarily given up are often left to go back to dereliction by people on waiting lists who have no idea of the commitment required and it takes a couple of months to get rid of them again?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Some people have no idea how much pleasure they can create do they?....mostly when they disappear out of you life!!!!

You Still talking gardening me dear?

[VirginVegGrower]

Our council run plots no longer rent out full plots, only half. Although as you can see from my other post on "how much does you plot cost you", it earns them a greater revenue that way. Of course they tell you that it's to keep the waiting list down. I think the reason that people have multiple plots is that newbies come along and more often than not, once they have tried it, they realise that it's not the peachy dream they thought. We have seen newbies come and put enormous effort in for half a season, then they just leave it to go overgrown. For those of us who would like a full plot, this is annoying. We have asked if we could take on another half plot but we are told that we will only get one if nobody is on the waiting list (fair enough) and that we will be charged for two half plots. They can get stuffed - hence I am putting in beds at home. Currently three full plots and two half plots untended last year on our site. One, an old boy has been rather poorly, so excusable. The others? All young and I suspect have lost interest.

[hamamelis]

Bizzarely, two half plots on my site could actually be cheaper than a full plot (even if the sizes add up to the same)!

Apparently our site record is 12 plots held by one guy- he's in his 90s, and used to have somewhere around thirty plots in the city back when there were no waiting lists. They're some of the best maintained ones on site, and he's always there and really helpful, so most people don't mind too much and the rest are just assuming he can't keep it up much longer so there's no point in arguing... but they thought that a decade ago.

I get much more cross about my neighbour who's just doing the bare minimum to stop her the council kicking her off- only came down four times last year to strim the grass, and didn't plant a single thing. There's random trees starting to grow over the plot, so whoever takes it on is going to have a horrible job. That sort of thing is the real waste.

[Speed Gardener]

I have three plots, all adjacent so I consider it one large plot. I've had them for the last twelve years, before the days of waiting lists and during the days of the council sending out surveys to "review" the provision of allotments. I don't feel the slightest bit guilty about it since the council does not and never had a limit on plot numbers, plus I look at the disgraceful condition of some plots held by folk who claim to have been on the list for years and think the council should do something about that if they want to reduce the waiting list.
Apparently, the lists in our area are reducing, mainly because people who think they'd like a plot are realising how much time and effort is needed to maintain a decent plot and are put off. We'll soon be back to a hard core of enthusiasts who look after their allotments, however many plots they have.

[Piggle]

My husband has just been given his own half on a different site near us .... now I know he will get bored within about a month so I'll just have to take it over ..... mah mah mah ( that's an evil laugh by the way!)

[Hans Mum]

Our council run plots no longer rent out full plots, only half. Of course they tell you that it's to keep the waiting list down.

Or as Leeds have recently quoted the number of plotholders has increased significantly implying more plots have been created.....ERRR NO you split exisiting full plots into halfs (or some sites quarters!!!) which is not the same thing at all

[binley100]

Before we had our plot there was a dictatorship in office and the site was about bankrupt, but the worm turned , an EGM was held (on a snowy carpark I think) and they were voted out of office. Our site has since gone from strengh to strengh mainly down to the hard work and dedication of the guy who stood up to them .. Now we have a fair committee, a good social atmosphere and a healthy bank balance ....Here's to your new beginnings Sarz

[SarzWix]

The atmosphere down there has already changed, in just a few days I went down yesterday and met a few people who were all smiles, and lots of talk about what we will be able to do now. Looks like the little shop will become a reality soon, and a couple of people who were 'on the waiting list' for longer than anyone else (ie the nasty person deliberately skipped past them when handing out plots because they didn't like them) have been given plots and are making a start already! All very exciting

[zazen999]

Bizzarely, two half plots on my site could actually be cheaper than a full plot (even if the sizes add up to the same)!

Apparently our site record is 12 plots held by one guy- he's in his 90s, and used to have somewhere around thirty plots in the city back when there were no waiting lists. They're some of the best maintained ones on site, and he's always there and really helpful, so most people don't mind too much and the rest are just assuming he can't keep it up much longer so there's no point in arguing... but they thought that a decade ago.

I get much more cross about my neighbour who's just doing the bare minimum to stop her the council kicking her off- only came down four times last year to strim the grass, and didn't plant a single thing. There's random trees starting to grow over the plot, so whoever takes it on is going to have a horrible job. That sort of thing is the real waste.

How can a 90 year old eat that much food? He must be massive.

[binley100]

Our 90yr old veteran has 4 plots but I know he gives away loads to the elderly and the WI ....he did say tho' that he's outliving a lot of people he gives to.