Author Topic: Overgrown allotments  (Read 7815 times)

Borlotti

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Overgrown allotments
« on: June 19, 2015, 12:57:05 »
Doesn't take long for allotments to get overgrown, have two near me, one at the end and one at the side.  Hopefully they will get cultivated soon as we have two new allotment secretaries.

gray1720

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2015, 13:32:26 »
Yes, we have a problem on ours with people who rent one, take off the previous incumbent's black plastic, then never reappear... Result - a  new sea of weeds! Nature is very good at recolonising.

Adrian
 
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johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2015, 13:49:34 »
we own our own land so haven't got the same problems  you get  a 21 day letter to clean you plot to committee standard if if isn't done you get another letter to clear your stuff in 10 days then we cover the plot until its re let
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

goodlife

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2015, 15:05:56 »
we own our own land so haven't got the same problems  you get  a 21 day letter to clean you plot to committee standard if if isn't done you get another letter to clear your stuff in 10 days then we cover the plot until its re let

Hmm....I don't want my reply to sound like I'm nagging or trying to put anybody in their place, but I hope your association committee do realize that your eviction 'system' might not be quite legal. 
We've had similar 'system' going on for yeeeeeeeeeeeeeears in our association...and nobody never ever has even heard of 'the allotment act'...so now I'm putting the facts straight and educating our committee of 'how it is supposed to be done'. Not so big changes as such, ,just have to be aware of eviction 'time scale'...how long notices and when they can be issued.
There is good things about the law too....should anybody leave their plots when they are in bad state, society have legal base to get compensation for putting the plot straight again...though how this work in practise is another matter..but it can be done!
Like I've said to our committee.....'it only takes one computer literate member to find 'the info'...and we can get into trouble pushing 'rules and regulations' that are against law...I don't want to be taken to 'cleaners' for doing things wrong...' 

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2015, 15:59:07 »
we own our own land so haven't got the same problems  you get  a 21 day letter to clean you plot to committee standard if if isn't done you get another letter to clear your stuff in 10 days then we cover the plot until its re let

Hmm....I don't want my reply to sound like I'm nagging or trying to put anybody in their place, but I hope your association committee do realize that your eviction 'system' might not be quite legal. 
We've had similar 'system' going on for yeeeeeeeeeeeeeears in our association...and nobody never ever has even heard of 'the allotment act'...so now I'm putting the facts straight and educating our committee of 'how it is supposed to be done'. Not so big changes as such, ,just have to be aware of eviction 'time scale'...how long notices and when they can be issued.
There is good things about the law too....should anybody leave their plots when they are in bad state, society have legal base to get compensation for putting the plot straight again...though how this work in practise is another matter..but it can be done!
Like I've said to our committee.....'it only takes one computer literate member to find 'the info'...and we can get into trouble pushing 'rules and regulations' that are against law...I don't want to be taken to 'cleaners' for doing things wrong...
yes indeed i have read the act and aired caution however these terms and conditions are in the rule book on our site and every new member is aware at joining the timescales involved and sign to say they will abide by the conditions as yet we have had no trouble all evictions have photographic evidence on the state of the plot and this i must stress is a last resort the 21 day letter goes out after all other avenues have been explored  and help offered to get plots back as they should be there is always a if and but in any situation but if we have to give someone 6 months if they quote the law them I'm sure it will be honered and the cost to put it right vigorously pursued all in all common sense should prevail and as i say as yet fingers crossed we have had no problems but thankyou for the heads up
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

Digeroo

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2015, 18:35:52 »
It is unbelievable how fast things grow, I went away for two weeks an everything was shoulder height when I got back.

Not sure I like the idea of the 'committee standards'.   I do not think I would ever pass.  But I am very productive,  but I also like what other people might call weeds. 

What you need for clearing plots is pigs.  In three weeks they will completely strip a plot bare. 

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2015, 18:55:18 »
It is unbelievable how fast things grow, I went away for two weeks an everything was shoulder height when I got back.

Not sure I like the idea of the 'committee standards'.   I do not think I would ever pass.  But I am very productive,  but I also like what other people might call weeds. 

What you need for clearing plots is pigs.  In three weeks they will completely strip a plot bare.
its the old saying really you can get other allotments in our area but we have high standards and we are the only allotments in the area with a waiting list so sometimes in some cases people like to belong to a well run orderly site if you dont there is no waiting list on the others the old saying birds of a feather really
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

caroline7758

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2015, 19:00:21 »
Slightly embarrassed by the state of mine at the moment, a week after complaining that the neighbouring one hasn't been touched! The docks have shot up this week!

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2015, 19:04:35 »
Slightly embarrassed by the state of mine at the moment, a week after complaining that the neighbouring one hasn't been touched! The docks have shot up this week!
oh bless maybe its time to get the strimmer out lol
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

pumkinlover

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2015, 20:01:42 »
Are you saying that you have to give members 6 months notice to vacate the plot?

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2015, 20:06:37 »
Are you saying that you have to give members 6 months notice to vacate the plot?
that is what the allotment act says i think but in reality we stick to our policy but saying that by the time we try to talk to them make meets with them discuss the plot with them its normally longer lol
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2015, 20:09:18 »
Are you saying that you have to give members 6 months notice to vacate the plot?
that is what the allotment act says i think but in reality we stick to our policy but saying that by the time we try to talk to them make meets with them discuss the plot with them its normally longer lol
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

goodlife

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2015, 20:12:12 »
Quote
Are you saying that you have to give members 6 months notice to vacate the plot?
Yes and No, ...the act state that the day of eviction have to be by certain date in spring, any later than that and it cannot be earlier than certain date in September. I can't remember exact dates at the moment.
Basically it says that you cannot kick anybody out during growing season and by doing so the allotment society/authority can be liable for compensation for crops or loss of 'what ever'.
You can do your warnings and what ever meetings with the allotment holder you do as your rules/practices are in the allotment, but kicking somebody off from their plot should have in time scale what the law state.

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #13 on: June 19, 2015, 20:30:49 »
i think that's the key it ain't there plot they enter an agreement to rent the land in return they look after it cultivate it manure keep it in the expected state of the individual site 99% of evictions are done at rent taking time Jan where the rent is refused  this i think is fair and a plot left in the state of the above is denying someone the joy of gyo so i think well take our chances and keep the same as its been 96 years in existence  but again common sense should prevail
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

astraman1

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #14 on: June 20, 2015, 08:17:27 »
thankfully the rules on our site are a little bit more relaxed

i took my plot on late last year it was over grown and full of couch grass the previous occupant had two 1m square beds with strawberries and that was it

i try to spend 2 1/2 hours every day mon to fri and in that 2 1/2 hours sometimes i can only dig 1 ft by 6 ft as there are so many roots to dig out

when i got the plot straight away i covered it all in black plastic the started digging across my plot in 6 ft rows and once accross i went back and dug it once more before planting

if i got a 21 day cultivation notice id have told them where to stick it

ancellsfarmer

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2015, 08:56:31 »
Having taken over a (privately owned) plot which had been neglected for three seasons, but previously cultivated for 90 years or so, I would recommend that if faced with the need to get on and reclaim, that you could do no better than treat all over with glysophate, allow to work as per the instructions (14-28days) according to concentration.
Sure, some bits will need 2nd treatment, but 95% will be clear. Any committee disregarding the clear indication that you have acted(visible in 3-4 days) have another agenda in my view.
Freelance cultivator qualified within the University of Life.

ACE

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2015, 09:12:56 »
We have a £25 deposit. If you vacate the plot in an untidy state, you loose it. One guy near me got the dreaded C. so was unable cultivate his plot. He gave notice and we all jumped in and  cleared his plot. The committee said later that they would have refunded his deposit anyway as he informed them of his intentions and they knew the reasons. But the plot was re-let very quickly as it did not need a lot of work by the new plotters.

johhnyco15

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #17 on: June 20, 2015, 15:08:10 »
thankfully the rules on our site are a little bit more relaxed

i took my plot on late last year it was over grown and full of couch grass the previous occupant had two 1m square beds with strawberries and that was it

i try to spend 2 1/2 hours every day mon to fri and in that 2 1/2 hours sometimes i can only dig 1 ft by 6 ft as there are so many roots to dig out

when i got the plot straight away i covered it all in black plastic the started digging across my plot in 6 ft rows and once accross i went back and dug it once more before planting

if i got a 21 day cultivation notice id have told them where to stick it
no you wouldnt get a 21 day notice as you are trying to get around a difficult plot in these circumstances we dont even charge for the first year just our joining fee again common sense will prevail and you wouldnt have such a difficult plot in the first place and i fact you would get an offer to help you clear it  :blob7: :blob7:
johhnyc015  may the plot be with you

Borlotti

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #18 on: June 20, 2015, 19:08:38 »
Some people have problems that is ok, but to rent for a year or two and only come up once or twice a year is not good. If so many are not used the council may have grounds to make the plot smaller. I am not the sllotment police but a shame more are not used. Joe swift tv programme got people interested but the plot for tv is overgrown now, when i say overgrown an understatement, mine is overgrown more than i would like ideally but plcked strawberries spinach and gooseberries today before the rain came and got soaked, at least i didnt have to water. RAnt over for today.

chriscross1966

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Re: Overgrown allotments
« Reply #19 on: August 30, 2015, 16:24:20 »

Hmm....I don't want my reply to sound like I'm nagging or trying to put anybody in their place, but I hope your association committee do realize that your eviction 'system' might not be quite legal. 
We've had similar 'system' going on for yeeeeeeeeeeeeeears in our association...and nobody never ever has even heard of 'the allotment act'...so now I'm putting the facts straight and educating our committee of 'how it is supposed to be done'. Not so big changes as such, ,just have to be aware of eviction 'time scale'...how long notices and when they can be issued.
There is good things about the law too....should anybody leave their plots when they are in bad state, society have legal base to get compensation for putting the plot straight again...though how this work in practise is another matter..but it can be done!
Like I've said to our committee.....'it only takes one computer literate member to find 'the info'...and we can get into trouble pushing 'rules and regulations' that are against law...I don't want to be taken to 'cleaners' for doing things wrong...
yes indeed i have read the act and aired caution however these terms and conditions are in the rule book on our site and every new member is aware at joining the timescales involved and sign to say they will abide by the conditions as yet we have had no trouble all evictions have photographic evidence on the state of the plot and this i must stress is a last resort the 21 day letter goes out after all other avenues have been explored  and help offered to get plots back as they should be there is always a if and but in any situation but if we have to give someone 6 months if they quote the law them I'm sure it will be honered and the cost to put it right vigorously pursued all in all common sense should prevail and as i say as yet fingers crossed we have had no problems but thankyou for the heads up
[/quote]

Not worth the paper it's printed on and technically you are committing an offence.... the Allotment Act sets out how it should be done and any contract that tries to define it differently is simply illegal, British law renders the entire contract illegal as soon as one term in it contravenes an Act of Parliament..... I remember my father used to find it very funny dealing with with folks who had got a contract that contravened the law, (he was a solicitor specialising in land law and conveyancing) and his normal advice was to "Hide that thing and don't mention it in court for pities sake"... if you present an illegal contract in court,

1: you've lost pretty much at that point
2: At some later point you're likely to get fined .... or imprisoned if the court decides it's a particularly heinous contract and depending on how long/how many times you've used it..... that will happen at a later date once they've charged you etc.... but you're bang to rights, you've produced the thing under oath in court.....

 

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