Gardener ordered off allotment by Lizzie Thornton, Kentish Times 13/3/08
A woman who has tended an allotment plot for more than 10 years has been forced off the land.
Swanley town council said christine Ford, 47, of Claremont road, Hextable, was told she would have to quit the plot when Hextable breaks away to form its own parish council as Swanley gives priority to its own residents.
The mother-of-two, who transformed the allotment near swanley Park took over in 1997, had the support of Swanley plot-holders who signed her petition last year.
But at a council meeting last thursday she was told her bid to keep the plot had failed and she must vacate the land.
She said "At the moment I just feel very disheartened. I'm not sure I want to start again on another allotment.
"Yes, it is reasonable for Swanley residents to have priority but it is totally unreasonable to kick me out after 11 years. I also think it is a petty, political decision because Swanley councillors are bitter about Hextable breaking off.
"When I first got the plot it was covered in perennial couch grass, which is a very nasty, persistent weed. I eventually gor rid of it all and turned it into a healthy, productive patch of land.
"For someone else to just come and pick up where I left off is very unfair. I don't know the procedure as to whether I can appeal but I probably will, in time".
Mrs Ford, who produces organic food for her teenage children from the plot, has been told she can stay on the land until December.
Gravesham council and Bexley council were among six authorities which wrote to Swanley in support of Mrs Ford.
Independent councillor Dee Morris said "it's outrageous the council could do this to the poor woman. She's been here for 11 years!".
But Conservative councillor Robert Woodbridge said: "The council have a policy on allotments and we have to stick to it. The point is that Swanley Town Council has a waiting list of 12 people for allotment and it's not fair when there is somebody from hextable taking up a space. it's not a political decision.
"The other councils that say they're supporting Mrs Ford don't have waiting list and that's the difference.
"Mrs ford was told in July 2006 that she had to move when hextable becomes independent so she's had enough time to find somewhere else".
Wouldn't you like to meet Mr Woodbridge on a dark night with a bucket of cow poo ? Forward, open thinking man of letters that he is.
I know what I'd do ................ Move ! or at least change address.
The swines!
Author