Plots fully let at last..............

[Snadger]

Our waiting list is nil but after a bit of jiggery pokery all our plots are taken and payed for.
Some asked to change there plot because of waterlogging but hardfaced me talked them into keeping there old plot going for this year as well to give them time to shift chicken runs etc to there new plot as leaving the plot until later it would be impossible to re-let.
Someone else took on two plots instead of there old one. One of these plots would have been nigh on impossible to let as it is shaded by neighbouring trees and full of tree roots. I explained to the plotholder it would be ideal for chickens though.
It was touch and go for a while and I was resigned to having one plot unlet which at £40 a plot and with having a 40 plot site would mean that each plotholder was paying £1 to subsidise an empty plot.
Then I got an email from someone looking fopr a plot and the plot is now let.
Anyway, the books have now been balanced for another year!
Hopefully my job as allotment Secretary and stand in Treasurer will now be a bit easier for a while!

[veggiechicken]

Sounds like a bit of Creative Allotmentcy, Snadger

[WendyC]

Interesting that our waiting list is virtually nil now too, after many years of the list in teens or twenties. I've asked for a second plot as I'm expecting not to wait too long. I wonder whether the awful summer last year has meant a high turn over this year. Or something else?

[binley100]

Lets hope they all work them then Snadge..........

[Snadger]

Lets hope they all work them then Snadge..........

I do hope so Binners but as I mentioned at our AGM we have to treat this as a business. Our first priority is to get every plot let so that we can keep the plot rents as low as possible and stay solvent.
If you have no one on the waiting list we can't really crib on at people to tidy there plots as we would be shooting ourselves in the foot if we kicked them off.
If there was no one to take there plot the plot would still be a mess.

We are an amiable lot at the site and i don't really want to emulate some other sites I've seen where little Hitlers in jackboots go around with a clipboard inspecting plots on a regular basis.
I'm not squeeky clean, and part of my plots a mess so I can hardly lay down the law for others.
I recently had to send a letter to someone who unbeknown to me was dying of cancer telling him to get his plot tidied!
As long as no harm is being done and we have no waiting list, I have adopted a leniancy policy!

Live and let live! Diversify and prosper. let the force be with you.

[binley100]

I agree with you Snadge ....just pee'd off about the field next to me that's full of grass seed ready to go .....

[Snadger]

Interesting that our waiting list is virtually nil now too, after many years of the list in teens or twenties. I've asked for a second plot as I'm expecting not to wait too long. I wonder whether the awful summer last year has meant a high turn over this year. Or something else?

I think the allotment bubble has peaked and burst and is on the wain generally. For a time it was ultra cool to have an allotment, then people started to realise the work involved and moved on to the next less tiring ulta cool fad like tablet PC's, cycling or whatever is hip at the mo!

[VirginVegGrower]

We've seen a few come and go in four years. Yet on my mother's old site you can't get one for love nor money.

[alldigging]

If you have no one on the waiting list we can't really crib on at people to tidy there plots as we would be shooting ourselves in the foot if we kicked them off.
If there was no one to take there plot the plot would still be a mess.

We are an amiable lot at the site and i don't really want to emulate some other sites I've seen where little Hitlers in jackboots go around with a clipboard inspecting plots on a regular basis.

Indeed, but when you have a waiting list you have a responsibility to those people to ensure the plots they are being denied access to are being cultivated.
And a responsibility for those who do work hard on their plots to ensure untended plots are bought back into a state where they don't spread weeds.

Kicking someone off their plot should be a last resort but you need to have ensured that you have properly monitored the situation and can provide evidence of lack of cultivation.

Self-managed sites also have a duty of care to all site visitors, whether legitimately on site or not. The onus on ensuring the site is safe and secure has to fall to association and its trustees and if those people are perceived as a jackbooted fascist dictators then that's a sad thing.

Stopping yourself being sued by trying to ensure a site is safe isn't a bad thing.
Keeping an eye on plots that are uncultivated isn't a bad thing. Providing a body of evidence for when someone complains they've been thrown off their plot when they've not been on it for 8 months is essential.

[Snadger]

Indeed, but when you have a waiting list you have a responsibility to those people to ensure the plots they are being denied access to are being cultivated.
And a responsibility for those who do work hard on their plots to ensure untended plots are bought back into a state where they don't spread weeds.

Kicking someone off their plot should be a last resort but you need to have ensured that you have properly monitored the situation and can provide evidence of lack of cultivation.

Self-managed sites also have a duty of care to all site visitors, whether legitimately on site or not. The onus on ensuring the site is safe and secure has to fall to association and its trustees and if those people are perceived as a jackbooted fascist dictators then that's a sad thing.

Stopping yourself being sued by trying to ensure a site is safe isn't a bad thing.
Keeping an eye on plots that are uncultivated isn't a bad thing. Providing a body of evidence for when someone complains they've been thrown off their plot when they've not been on it for 8 months is essential.

Some valid points alldigging.

Ours is a happy friendly, fully occupied solvent site with a laid back attitude and minimal rules and regulations . Just the way I like it.

[The Masons]

Sounds like a lovely site, congrats on being fully let.

[grahamR]

Here at Catcliffe, too, we're full at long last. Been a great 'Take-up' over the last few months. One plot left though is supposed to be taken - but the prospective plotholders haven't turned up to sign on yet and it won't be theirs until I see the colour of their rent money.
Some of our folk have multiple plots - wonder wht we'll do if we get a waiting list - what do others do?

[Snadger]

Here at Catcliffe, too, we're full at long last. Been a great 'Take-up' over the last few months. One plot left though is supposed to be taken - but the prospective plotholders haven't turned up to sign on yet and it won't be theirs until I see the colour of their rent money.
Some of our folk have multiple plots - wonder wht we'll do if we get a waiting list - what do others do?

I would tell a little white lie and say that someone else is extremely interested in the plot and its first come first served. If they want it they'll cough up!

We only allow each plot holder to have a maximum of two plots.

If they help the Associations coffers out by taking two plots when no one else wants them good for them.
I wouldn't dream of trying to take a plot off such a person and would fully expect a punch in the mouth or a scotch kiss if I tried!