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[Squash64]

I've just had a 'read receipt' from Adrian Edwards.  I'll let you know if he replies.

[Squash64]

[Unwashed]

I have just had a reply from Howard Bairstow saying that he would forward my email to the leader of the council.

And a happy Easter to you Howard.

Howard had an allotment at my site just opposite my plot for many years, I really think he might have agreed to talk to me.

[Unwashed]

Just a thought, but are any of the councillors up for election on May 3rd?

No Squash, several more years of them (unless they resign of course).

[Squash64]

I also emailed Newbury Council's allotment department and have had a 'read receipt' from Margaret Gore.

[Ellen K]

So is that what you want, for council members to resign?

I am just wondering what is your definition of success.

[Unwashed]

So is that what you want, for council members to resign?

I am just wondering what is your definition of success.

Right now I need them to be open, honest and accountable.  That means they recognise the unlawfulness of the Notice to Quit and start talking to me about what went wrong, why, and how to make it right. It's not very helpful at this point to say what I think "right" looks like.

[elhuerto]

Might be an idea to add your comments to the story here http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2124820/Pensioner-thrown-beloved-allotment-council-case-hurts-hip-sues.html - not quite the same situation but might get some coverage.

[Steve.]

I've had a reply from Julian Swift Hook...as follows..

"Dear Mr Randles

Thank you for your email.   

In a dispute, there are always two sides to the story, as I'm sure you will agree.  It will help your understanding of the overall situation, therefore, if you are aware of the Town Council's position as well as that of Mr Kirby.

I include below a link to Newbury Town Council's public statement on the issue today:

www.newbury.gov.uk/pdfs/news/allotmentservice120404PR.pdf

It sets out the Town Council's position in detail and also refers to other publicly-available information (via hyperlinks in the document) which will further help your understanding of the overall situation.

I hope this is helpful.

With best wishes

Julian Swift-Hook"

[betula]

You did well to get a reply.

Not nice to read,one bloke standing up for what is right and suddenly he is a burden to tax payers ::) ::) ::)

[Aden Roller]

You did well to get a reply.

Not nice to read,one bloke standing up for what is right and suddenly he is a burden to tax payers ::) ::) ::)

Interesting to note that the one bloke standing up for what is right and is a burden to tax payers is also a tax payer.  ;)


Personally I am rather surprised that Newbury Town Council are unable to manage allotments without having to subsidise them in the first place. Do they spend too much on bureaucracy or perhaps office staff, accountants, groundsmen, managers, publicity......??  Or have I got confusalled?  ???

What do they use the income from allotment rents for? Does anyone know?

Our private allotment association runs two sites and charges very reasonable rents with no unexpected massive hikes in charges and are self sufficient. We have our own equipment pool & storeage, good boundary security fencing, water throughout the sites and well maintained pathways and car parks.

How come experts like Newbury Town Council can't do the same?  ???

[betula]

Talk about scraping the barrel in the excuse dept   :o

[Squash64]

I have also had a reply from Mr Swift-Hook, exactly the same as Steve's.

Newbury town council must be worried if they've gone to the trouble of issueing a press release, I wonder how many emails they received?

[shirlton]

Same reply here from the same man

[Steve.]

I've just replied to Mr Swift Hook..

Thus..

"Dear Mr Swift Hook,

It's fairly obvious to me (and to many others) that lots of unknown water has passed under the bridge over the last few years.

It's gone far beyond the 11th hour now, but I wonder if it may be possible for one councilor to meet with Simon for a period of no more than one hour in an attempt to achieve a resolution of sorts, both parties would have to have an open mind and both sides would have to use a fair ammount of give and take to make it work.

What say you to this?

Kindest Regards

Steve Randles"

Hopefully some sort of dialogue can be achieved through this, which is better than none.

Simon, it looks to me from the info sent in the email by Mr Swift Hook that you really dont stand a chance of having your demands met and the end result will finally be the end of your allotment. Best you can hope for is some sort of an agreement between the two parties, that is "IF" the councilors will speak to you. You would need to be prepared to back down on perhaps some points to gain ground on others.

If discussion is offered I would jump at the chance, but go along with an open mind. If you go along with 5 points and stick to your guns your not likely to get anywhere, that is of course...if you want to keep the allotment you have had for so long.

I wish you luck whatever you do and will still support you whatever the outcome.

Steve

[betula]

That sounds very sensible Steve........lets wait and see now.

Simon............I applaud you for standing up for common sense and what is right.

Maybe all of this will make the council look again at their high spending on Allotments and follow what other Allotments have done by self management.

It would be tragic if you lost your plot..........all of plot holders know it is our little bit of heaven.

Let us hope that they show you some good grace.

I am with Steve on this..........whatever you choose to do you have my support.

[shirlton]

They speak of just one person that isn't towing their line. The problem with too many people is that they pay up and shut up.
It's very difficult to stand your ground when those around you are knuckling down under the bullies.
Simon. You are one special person.

[betula]

I agree Shirl...........

[Squash64]

I feel quite sad about the whole situation this morning.  The other plot holders on Simon's site should stand with him, what's wrong with people?  One day it could be them.............


'First they came for the communists,
And I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
And I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak out for me.'

Pastor Martin Niemöller

[Unwashed]

They speak of just one person that isn't towing their line. The problem with too many people is that they pay up and shut up.
It's very difficult to stand your ground when those around you are knuckling down under the bullies.
Simon. You are one special person.

Big hug Shirl, you've made me blub. :)

I am so grateful to all of you for your kind support and understanding.  Steve, I have my reservations, but I think your proposal is good, I would be very pleased to meet JSH for an hour if he would agree to meet me.  Please do what you can to encourage JSH to meet me.

Simon.

[betula]

Oh I do so agree Betty.

I have had to deal with a situation recently and it was suggested to me there was a climate of fear and I believe that to be true.Nothing to do with Allotments.However I won and I can't tell you how good that feels.

I have spent my life sticking my neck out and to be true to myself can not be any other way.

I blame my parents who did so much good in the back street factories of Birmingham being union reps.

Seems now days many are frightened to say boo to a goose.