Allotments 4 All

Hello Everyone.  Just joined the site today.  I'm wondering if anybody has any advice on the writing of allotment rules and regulations.

only thing i can say is have as few as possible and let them be as simple as possible just call a spade a spade

Hello Mazly and welcome.

I don't agree with having as few as possible rules and regulations. From what I've seen and read on these boards, I think that might just be the problem on many allotment complexes in England.

Many people have commented on things I wrote about the lottie complex in Holland where our allotment is, how tidy and how well organized it is. No neglected lotties, no junk thrown about etc. Only way to achieve this is to have rules and regulations. I must admit that at times I feel I may be a bit over regulated here but that's the price you pay for not having to suffer from anti social behavior and putting up with other people's mess.

One of the best rules at our complex is that every member does a work turn twice a year on a saturday morning. The communal area's are kept tidy, vacated plots are kept clean etc. and you get to know the other allotmenteers while working. If your plot is neglected you get a warning and risk being evicted, if someone is temporarely not able to keep it up due to sickness or circumstances beyond their control, the work crew will keep it up but usually nearby allotmenteers will already have taken care of it.

Whatever rules are made, you need a good committee to enforce them, otherwise it is no use. It seems to me a very thankless job being a committe member, judging by how allotmenteers are often complaining about them while they put a lot of time in helping to run the complex. Then again, I think complaining is a favorite pastime of the Dutch hehehe.

Tell us more about why you posted this question. What are you up to?

A handy book is The Allotment Handbook by Sophie Andrews ISBN 1-899233-10-5 Might help

i was not sujesting that u dont have any rules or regs but have as few as possible  and to be kept as simple as possible so not to over complicate matters ina u are right in ur thinking and from what ive seen of  ur site complex it looks great so well kept and yes u definatley need rules and regs without a doubt

Yes, you are right Sly, they should be kept simple and not over regulate things.
Mazly, let us hear something from you, are you setting up a lottie committee or starting a lottie site or something?