Allotments 4 All
General => News => Topic started by: Uncle Joshua on April 26, 2007, 20:17:34
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There is a chap at our allotment site that never uses his plot, in the four years I've had mine last year was the only time he has done any work on his and then he only cultivated the top 1/5 (see image 1) and everything he planted was let go to seed, to make matters worse he has "stolen" most of a half plot at the side of his plot making it no more than a path. (see image 2)
Image 1
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/oxygen_/bar2.jpg)
The weeds are where Barton planted out last year.
Image 2
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/oxygen_/Bar8.jpg)
As you can see (thanks Tracy) there is no point trying with this tiny space.
Image 3
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/oxygen_/bar4.jpg)
The land Barton doesn't use.
Well I'm not having it, so today I rang kirklees council and explained the situation to a very nice lady called Leelee and asked what could be done about it and she promised that if I took photographic evidence of what I'd told her she would sort it out, I'm not sure if Barton will be kicked of the site (I live in hope) but even if someone can get the half plot it will be a success.
On another matter there is a waiting list for plots with 18 names on, having done a little investigating I discovered kirklees council owns the field adjoining the allotments so while on the phone to them I asked why this field couldn't also be used for allotments (it would get the 18 needed to empty the waiting list with room to spare) and Leelee told me that the field was owned be another department of the council so it can't be used (who are they kidding?) well my email will be sent out tonight and will be asking for the field to be given over for allotments and copies will be sent to every counciler in the area.
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good on you, mickw, it needs more people to take an active role to keep allotments in the hands of people who want them, the council's probably keeping the land for housing, more money than veggies, hope you get it all ;D
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All power to your typing fingers MickW. Good luck.
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HI MickW
Hit them where it hurts, get the local press involved there always sniffing around for local stories.
Go get them!!
Cambourne7
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I wonder if life was ever designed to be easy.
Maybe on that new planet??
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GO GETTEM! ;D
It really piss*s me off to see good ground going to waste.
My latest campaign is to re-gain about a quarter of an acre directly across the road from our allotment site.
There was originally a farmhouse on it with adjacent land. The farmhouse was grade 1 listed. The land was bought by a local building company and DESPITE the fact that the building was listed, they knocked it down >:( Consequently they can't get permission to rebuild on the land so it's just 'sat there' waiting to be cultivated.
Oh and don't get me started about our Council and allotment sites!
We rent 2 sites off the council - run by an Association (about 200 plots)
Inbetween our site and the other is a HUGE space that is 'supposedly' allotment plots owned by the council - never been used for at least 15 yrs. When I was secretary I offered to take on the plots, run them through our Association but ONLY if they would clear them (vastly overgrown with brambles etc)
They refused. Too much money. So the potential site of another 50+ allotments goes to waste.
Makes me MAD >:(
Now it's just
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You know Trixiebelle, I have just come to the conclusion that is I am ever in a real crisis I would really enjoy you being on my side. !!! XX Jeannine
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Second that Jeannine!
Power to the people Mick. How ridiculous if there are people waiting that the land should just sit there? Oh I do love a good campaign!
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can you squat on a plot (not taking the pee out of your pic Mick - heh all the rhymes are coming out today eh?) but if old Barton boy has done jack on his plot, how about the waiting list 18, just start working on his empty land, move the posts of the stolen bit and take up arms ?
just a thought ;D
wishing you luck Mick.
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The squatting thing is something I've thought abiut but our allotment secretary said if I advised such action he'd kick me off my plot (same he isn't that firm all the time).
I have spoken to a few people on the waiting list and informed them of the situation (re the field etc) and they are now going to call the council too, I'm also thinking about contacting our local paper to see if they would run the story.
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I just thought I'd give you an update on this....
Next week two of the councils top brass are coming to the allotments to talk to me and judging from what they said on the phone not only are they taking the half plot back from Barton but they are also going to give us the field which means every singe person on our waiting list will have a plot within weeks.
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Up the Diggers!! ;)
Well done Mick, it's great to see Kirklees actually listening to people. If I have any issues on my site I could well turn to you for advice!
...Infact...I was saying to the secretary the other day that the saplings growing up against our wall would be bringing it down soon. He said he'd tried to get them felled, but Kirklees say the strip of land belongs to the housing association next to it while they claim it belongs to Kirklees. I immediately said I would claim it as mine as it would soon solve the argument. The more i think about it, the more I wish I knew how to do it!!! :)
Keep up the good work - there are going to be 18 people seriously grateful!
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Where is your plot mate? it may be worth having a word while I have their ear.
If nobody is willing to claim them and they arn't too big I'd be inclined to dig them out but then leave them in situe to save you from being charged with theft.
Just looking at your location are you Near The Should Of Mutton?
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Not far from the Shoulder, on Moorlands Rd. The houses were built on the old Dewsbury hospital site, so I reckon it must have belonged to Kirklees - I guess they reckon they sold all the land right up to the allotments wall, but the houses have gardens with fencing that ends about 10 feet from the wall. The idea of taking them down and leaving them sounds plausible, thanks.
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Well done, Mick! Bet you're really proud of yourself, and so you should be.That definitely merits an article in the local paper!
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brilliant, mick, well done, you ;D
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Good for you, well done. There should be a lot of happy new allotmenteers thanks to your work!
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What a better place the world would be if we had more people like you Mick!!
To often people just turn their backs on problems. I bet you have made a lot of people happy who are waiting for plots. WELL DONE!
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POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Nice one Mick, that's a lot of happy plotters off the waiting list and the land is put to use.
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Thanks for all your kind words guys and gals, I'll let you know what happens.
MacArthur Park, I'm going to pop by your allotment and have a look at your problem so I can have a word for you.
Bugger MacArthur Park I lived less than two minutes from your allotments and forgot where they were.
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Hey mick, just wanted to say well done - it's good to read about your hard work paying off! Won't it be nice when all the newbies start working on their plots! ;D
I'd be willing to bet you'll be running for councillor next time there's elections... ;D
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Well done *cheers*. ;D
On our site we have 3 unused allotments (6 halves!), I have only had an allotment for a month and a half, and didnt notice at first, but everyone is really up in arms about the unused plots. Apparently paid for each year by the owner of the house 'over the hedge' they do not want the noise from people at the allotment over the hedge! It is a very contentious issue at our site. The problem is that the people who pay the rent do a lot in the community, so nobody says anything. I think the weeds on the plots were also a problem, but they now have a gardener that 'cuts the grass'. One person I spoke to said that the owner was getting on in years, so hopefully wouldn't be around much longer!!! :o
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SueSteve is that a council owned site? It drives me mad when people don't use land and what you have there is a bloody joke when people are crying out for plots, if I we're you I'd ring the council and tell them whats going on I'd also take photo's of the unused land every week or so so that you have evidance to prove your point.
Because I have given a few people the A4A URL I can't go into some of the details I would like to about some of the things that may help in such matters but if you PM me I may be able to help more.
I'd be willing to bet you'll be running for councillor next time there's elections...
Thats a dream I once held but I don't think anyone would vote for a gobby Southerner with a Yorkshire accent.
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Hi Mick, Thanks, Its a parish owned allotment.
Just off to work now (already late) but will pm you later.
Cheers,
Sue
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Power to the people Mick 8) and give yourself a bloody good pat on the back. ;D ;D ;D
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Well the council came today but it wasn't the success I'd hoped for, they agreed to force Barton to give the land he had taken plus give us one more plot but because two council departments can't agree on details we can't have the field.
Its a bit of a shame really, yes two more people will now have allotments but its not the nineteen I'd hoped for.
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It's still an improvement on the current situation MickW - you should be really pleased with yourself! A large beer is in order for you me thinks ;)
Also, try and get a local reporter onto the case re the council depts who can't make a decision - I reckon naming & shaming them might get you a few steps forward - good luck
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threaten to withhold your council tax until they can make a decision. after all, that's what you pay them for !
Onwards, and upwards !!!
;D