Hello. I have just come across this website - what a fantastic resource!! I am new to the world of allotments as I just got my plot last Sept. I have put in a lot of work bringing it up to scratch and have had loads of support from other plot holders. However, I arranged to have manure delivered - another plot holder removed this and refused to return. I explained I had no choice but to go onto his plot to recover property and did so. Speaking to other plot holders, it seems that this person has a history of trying to get rid of newcomers. He is friendly with Committee, complained and they are now seeking to evict me. What can I do? There is nothing in Rules prohibiting me from entering another plot. Committee claims this Rule was changed at a meeting - I was not notified of Rule change. I would not normally make such a fuss but I enjoy working my plot so much and I feel all of this is v unfair. Any advice would be very welcome. Best wishes.
surely the issue that this other plot holder stole your manure should weigh heavier than the fact you went on his plot?! Is this a private allotment or council run? If council then I would appeal to your local councillor.
It seems a ridiculous rule to me. I love having a wander round my neighbours plots to see who is doing what and how their stuff is doing.
Hope this all works out well for you.
Sounds very unfair, as Justy points out, the manure was stolen from you >:(
Surely the change to the rules can't apply, unless all plot holders are notified in writing (by post?). Or is that me just being naive?
Can you not make a counter-complaint to the committee?
I'm with the others a formal, written, complaint to the comittee -and to whoever owns the allotments. If he's actually stolen the manure then whilst it's a bit heavy getting the police in it would be worth pointing out that it's an option.
Jeremy
If you do get chucked out there's always roundup!
Shamba. First off, where was the manure dropped? Was it in your plot? If not, is there a communial place where plot holders have manure delivered to? If so, what do other plot holders do?
With regard to the committee taking sides, which they seem to be doing, give us all the name of the plot. Where is it?
This guy is a thief, full stop.
Hi Shamba,
It seems that "After politely and repeatedly requesting that the other plot holder return the property he knew to be yours and after allowing him sufficient time to return it you gave reasonable notice of your intention to enter his plot to recover it"
Then you "Carefully and without malice removed only what was yours taking care to cause no damage to his property or inconvenience to him."
You may suggest that "In future the other plot holder refrain from removing the belongings of yourself and others
lest the proper authourities be informed"
Pointing out that "As a long standing plot holder he would have seen the properly minuted ruling prohibiting the entering of another persons plot whereas by some foregivable oversight you were not."
Maybe the committee would like to provide you with the minutes of that meeting and any others relating to rule changes so you might be fully informed.
Best of luck, Col
Shamba,
Thieves and bullies should not be allowed to get away with it.
Don't let him.
But you could get into a "Neighbours from hell" situation: we once moved house because of a bullying neighbour.
QuoteShamba. First off, where was the manure dropped? Was it in your plot? If not, is there a communial place where plot holders have manure delivered to? If so, what do other plot holders do?
QuotePointing out that "As a long standing plot holder he would have seen the properly minuted ruling prohibiting the entering of another persons plot whereas by some foregivable oversight you were not."
Ken has made a good point that needs to be made clear about where the manure was dropped.
Columbus raised a point too, if he was aware that entering another persons plot was a no no why then did he break this rule?
It is an unwritten rule that you don't go on to anothers plot without them inviting you and shouldn't need to be passed by the committee..
If We could wander around willy nilly on each others plots it would be mayhem..
As an example I dont want Fred bloggs who is infested wid club root etc entering mine ..
You shouldn't nick another persons manure unless it has been dropped in a place where say stables etc tip it for all lotty holders to get on a first come first served basis.
SO You took it by mistake.
As to them evicting You they will need to pass this at a meeting ,Ask to be present at this to put your point .They won't want to lose a good gardener off the site ...
You say they are seeking to evict You, They will need to inform you by letter if this hasnt been done go see a commitee man for yourself and ask him. They are an elected body or should be .So they are there to represent You as much as the other guy who knicked your manure.
You also have a tenancy agreement so you have rights to challenge their decisions .
Hope it goes ok for You ..Cheers ..Jim
Thank you all very much for your kind and helpfull comments - very supportive and encouraging. My plot is part of private allotments - Sir John Stirling-Maxwell Gardens in Pollok Park, Glasgow - a very beautiful and peaceful setting - please visit!!! (my bit for Scottish Tourism). The manure was ordered from the Head Keeper at the Park and delivered in a lane OUTSIDE the allotments and owned by the Council. I have tried to reason with the Committee but am making little headway - the Chairman on Sunday threatened to "knock me into next month" if I persisted with my claims. I do not like bullies and feel this behaviour was highly inappropriate and not what I'd expect from a Chair, especially of allotments!!! I just want to get on with looking after my plot and hopefully see some of my veg and flowers grow!!! I certainly didn't expect this kind of hassle. Best wishes - Wendy
Wendy, as I see it you have two choices. You can stay and fight your cause or move on. You sound like you have taken every action possible to be reasonable about things but have just met with contention and aggression at each stage. You do have an ace up you sleeve however in that the allotments are private. You could go over the heads of the bully boy chairman and his cohorts and appeal directly to the parks owner.
There really is no need for this kind of intimidation or attitude and the law is firmly on your side. If you do get through this, are these the kind of people you want to spend your leisure time with? Good luck. Lance
I really feel for you and hope you make the right choice. but I dont think I could stay, you want to be in a friendly atmosphere, where everyone (most) talk to you and give friendly helpful advice.
It not only seems to me that there is one person who doesnt like newbies the whole commitee seem to employ him to do there dirty work.
I would go over there heads
But then it will make it even harder to stay.
Good luck
Ron