I'm Getting Itchy Feet!

[Jesse]

I've got my name on the waiting list at two different allotment sites, both privately owned.

The first one is full and each plot is immaculately looked after. Don't know how far down the list I am but have been warned that it will be a long wait.

The second one I'm number 2 on the list. I have a friend who has an allotment at this site. My friend tells me that three of the plots are neglected and about 6ft in weeds. My friend feels I should keep phoning the chap who organises the site and pester him to send the existing tenants notices saying that their plots will be re-let if they don't clean up their plot. I am tempted to do this. I really would like to get stuck in and start clearing and preparing the site so that when spring comes I am ready to start.

Should I be more pushy or should I wait patiently? I'm not really the pestering type of person but it seems such a waste to have plots full of weeds when others are enthusiastic to get working.  

[Wicker]

You could 'pester' in a nice way, Jess.  Just keep saying how keen you are to start, how you have experience in gardening but need to expand and the fact that you have a friend already there might help too.  Can't do any harm that way but maybe saying he should evict people might make him think you are telling him how to do his job - just an idea tho!

[Roy Bham UK]

As you know Jesseveve I have had my fingers crossed for a plot coming up on Wednesday, I hope I’m lucky, if I get it, it will seem that I was very lucky having heard of the time peeps have been kept waiting to till that land as I have only recently made the enquiry.

To hear story’s of tenants being allowed to neglect their plots maybe simply because they keep up the yearly rent is grossly unfair, as this deprives new blood to take over and make the land fertile again.

Or is it because the amount of revenue they gain from it makes the powers that be not give a shoot.

I would pester them politely and firmly, sell yourself, show your enthusiasm in writing, tell them the feedback you have had from this allotment on how well it has been kept and how you would like to contribute by rejuvenating a neglected plot.
 Gotta be better than just waiting.

Roy

[jo2]

Hope the weather improves for you Roy.  No fun in the rain!

[Roy Bham UK]

We have welcomed this last burst of rain albeit through the night, I heard a few claps of thunder   and peering out the window it feels fresher.   Just hope it hasn't filled my pond too much as I am going to be working in it when the rain stops.

Roy

[Jesse]

Thanks for your replies. I think I must keep asking in a nice way, it's not like me to be too pushy so wouldn't feel comfortable about being like that and also don't want to upset anyone before I even get there. I may ask my friend if I can go to the allotment with her occasionally in the hope that I may meet him face to face. I think it's better to remember someone by face rather than a phone call, perhaps he'll see my enthusiasm and push things along a bit.

[Roy Bham UK]

[size=15]I got mine! I got Mine! I got mine![/size] Well I will have by October it has been confirmed, I'm so excited.

Roy

[Jesse]

Congratulations Roy!  

[Mrs Ava]

WAHAY ROY!  Congratulations.  October huh, just in time for lashings of winter digging.  Excellent news, and money well spent at Asda!!  

[Wicker]

Great news, Roy, you will be a Pioneer, Founder Member and Father of The Allotment Site!  

[beastiefishboy]

you be pushy jesseveve!
i was in the same position
i looked out my kitchen window and saw this mass of weeds and stuff everyday
i phoned up and they said someone had taken it on in april
after a few more phonecalls they gave this guy an ultimatum to get started or make way for someone who would
so it is worth being a bit arsey!!

[Pixie]

Well Done Roy

Have you seen it yet? What have you planned?

           

[Roy Bham UK]

Thanx for the congrats.Guys 'N' Gals I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in, just hope my enthusiasm don't wane by the time October comes, that’s my entrance date, or maybe sooner.

Roy

[Doris_Pinks]

Roy will you swish down the long staircase to the plot in Stilettoes and a ballgown! Will you be having speeches? sorry was the words "entrance date" that got my imagination going! , sounds like an awards ceremony! Well done you, maybe you should wear wellies though! DP

[Roy Bham UK]

Sorry Doris, my grammar never been good, my Granpa better tho.

Koi Roy

[Pixie]

Any news on your lottie entrance date Roy?

Do you have lots of work to do on it or is in reasonable condition?

I hope you are still excited - you'll need to be if you have to clear it!!

Have you heard anything Jesseveve? I hope you have moved up your list.

Sam

[Roy Bham UK]

Hi Samantha, No not heard anything yet, although the Lottie secretary said he was getting some leaflets dropped in the area to encourage more peeps to take on a piece of the land, then he will be holding an open day before the end October for a get together on site.

Although things aren’t moving much up the Lottie I am still excited and friends and family are bending over backwards in offering help.

I now have, in hand-me-down tools, a border fork’n’spade, a standard fork’n’spade, a rake, a couple of hoe’s, a riddle, a Tumble-Weed Compost Bin, a Shed and the loan of a Van to pick the shed up, oh! And a cuddly toy.

All I need to hear now is the Lottie secretary to tell me it’s all fell through because of lack of interest, then I will probably bury the Lottie Man up the Plottie after I’ve gone Potty.

Roy.

[Pixie]

It is amazing how helpful people can be - the neighbours here have builders in and they have a crate that has stored big paving tiles or something and the builders have offered me the crate as one of them mentioned to my neighbours (who were complaining about packing) it makes a lovely compost bin with a bit of alteration  

Sam

[Bloody Ploughman]

It's very frustrating waiting for an allotment to become vacant.  I live 30mins away from our allotment, which we got this March, and the comititee have given us a years tenancy to  ensure that they dont have a wastril on their hands.  What about suggesting that to them.
Good luck

[Roy Bham UK]

Pardon my ignorance Bloody, but what is a wastril?