I took my plot on in May of last year, and when I did so it was waist high in grass and weeds, had collapsed sheds, broken glass, and rubbish all over it.
Whilst I would be the first to admit that I have not made as much progress as I would have liked, I have cleared the weeds, marked out and dug over 10 beds, removed barrow loads of glass and rubbish, constructed a compost bin and coldframe, and have kept the grass low over the un-dug areas.
I purposely did not plant anything during my first summer (against much advice here) and really wanted a fresh season of growing once the plot was more manageable.
Imagine my surprise to receive a letter this morning from the council saying that my site had been inspected, and that my plot has 'become badly neglected'.
The letter invites me to explain why I have been unable to attend my plot, and ends with the statement,
"If I do not hear from you and my Inspecting Officer finds that there is no improvement made in one month, I shall have no alternative then to give you one week's notice to terminate our agreement"
Now I realise that this is a standard letter that is sent out, and is not specifically aimed at my plot, but I am still slightly offended by the tone.
I know that a single phone call will resolve this issue, and I will make that call today. I just wanted to share my frustration with people who might empaphise.
I suppose a positive way of looking at this is that it shows the council are actively inspecting and freeing up uncultivated plots. I just feel nervous that the rug will be pulled from under my feet before I have had a chance to begin in earnest.
Ah well, im sure I can find someone who wants 50 onion seedlings... :'(
PS. Im about to pop to the plot during my lunch and will take a photo of it in it's current state. I will post it up here and would appreciate advice on how I can make it look more tidy / less neglected.
Don't know the site's situation Jimmy but I hope that it's not the council's way of saying that the site is not being used sufficiently and wouldn't it be nice to build a load of houses there. It does happen.
It's a pity you didn't take any photos of the "before" "during" and "after" the clearance. Our first plot was like that when we took it on, all the neighbouring houses had used it as a dumping ground for their rubbish (not just garden rubbish) as it was conveniently next to the path to their houses. Unfortunately we lost the "before" pictures.
Perhaps a courteous letter in reply, setting out exactly what the situation was when you first took the plot, a list of what you removed from the site, how many trips to the dump etc, a "now" photo, plus a description of your short and long-term intentions. Just say that you are surprised at getting the letter, in view of all the work you have carried out on the plot, and perhaps they have written to you in error (after all, your letter could have been intended for another plot and they got the number/name wrong - it happens).
Good luck :) :) :) :)
I had a similar letter last year.
I have to admit I also haven't made as much progress as I'd hoped but it looked a lot better than previously.
I later found out that almost half the plot holders had received them.
I think its a way of checking people want the sites before the beginning of the year and prompting those who have given up to have a fresh start / consider if they want to keep it... especially when there are other people in the locality who want an allotment and are on a waiting list for one.
God this sort of thing bugs me, the guy on the plot next to mine only isn't seen year in year out but our local council do nothing about it then the people that try get nasty letters.
At my place the committee send out the initial letters. Rather than chucking out threats and a bad tempered tone they ask if the plot holder is having a problem and if they can assist in terms of advice, etc. A much more civilised way to go about things I think.
Shows the differences in why people do things: councils just need to tick their boxes and show that they've provided a service, committe want to help new-comers and create a community on the site.
I think the situation is now resolved. the guy has just returned my call, and I think he accepts that I will be making full use of the plot. He was still slightly wary I think, but I will just have to prove him wrong.
If nothing else this has increased my enthusiasm. Perhaps it is fair to say that I didnt do much other than clearing and digging last year, so this year can only get better.
thanks for you replies all, but I think I can safely say the emergency is over!
JJ
Jimmy James
You are going to have to work your socks off to make yours the best in the whole site!!!!
Good luck with it! I expect to see some stunning pictures of how well you are doing!
Old Bird!
:o
Thanks OB, and sorry for late reply. Been busy down the plot! You know what its like... ;)
I will have to make sure I take some more snaps when im down there.
Got to be loving the nice weather we have been having down here in Hants. It makes having to work during the day even more frustrating!
We had the Solihull allotment forum at the council last week.. a few of the members stood up and said the council need to check the plots more often / chuck people off if they don't maintain them.... and there were a few comments about people 'growing' polythene instead of vegetables.
I stood up, admitted that mine was one of the plots that had lots of polythene on but also said I thought that the first year or so there should be some expectations on what people can manage to complete, with timescales.
... but I do agree with people checking usage of plots, reminding people to keep them in order and throwing long timers off / asking them to reduce the size of their plot if they can't keep up....
... and if they did then newcomers like us wouldn't inherit plots in such bad state in the first place.
we have one small plot in slough and are down there most weekends and in the mornings/evening when the weather conditions permit.
we only have cultivaed half our plot, but the rest is covered with plastic. we are desperate for another plot for the fruit, but we have two people either side of us with TWO plots each, who we never see.
the council is dragging their heels over kicking them off as we don't have a waiting list and they pay their rent on time! NO FAIR
Just discovered that although we have a waiting list our council doesn't chuck off some people that haven't paid for several years. It is now suggesting to our allotment association (not everybody is a member) that if we want things done like access improved and water supply extended to serve new plots that they would have to increase our rentals from £15-40 (40p for the stamp apparently!) to £50.
Still if they do seems there is a precedent for not paying!
I got a letter like this at last autumn, I was furious. I sent photographs of my plot taken three weeks before we were devastated by floods, there wasn't a blade of grass out of place, the pictures were taken for A4A and had just been published here.
I sent a very strong letter back, stating that we had lost all our crops, most of our perennial bushes, the foundations on one greenhouse had to be redone etc. I also added that I would not be doing anything on the plot till at least the spring of 2008 and if they wished to enforce the 14 day or else note then please go ahead, I would not move off and would happily see them in a court if they preferred.
I got a very sweet letter of apology and we have since heard we are to get a 30% reduction in our rents for the next three years
I agree, the cheek of it!!
XX Jeannine