Allotments 4 All

 In order to free up the huge waiting list for allotments, should present plot holders who have more than one allotment
have only ONE? per person

I'd agree, but the person who allocates plots and maintains the waiting list, has 3, her husband has another 2.

All of them are well cultivated.

She just says anyone who dont look after their plot, looses it.

No... I took on extra plots when you couldn't give them away... and having worked to get them clear I'm not giving them to some "newbie" who may not work them and let them get into a mess again...  :-X

How are you going to definte 'one' plot - is it to be a five rod plot or a ten rod plot?  (I have two five rod plots and they are both fully cultivated and tended)
And what about those people who have more than one and took them on when no one wanted allotment plots (and that isn't so long ago);  they will have cleared them, put in lots of manure and cared and cultivated them for perhaps many years.  If they are not fully cultivating them then that's different and they should be asked to consider giving up, or even firmer action taken, as with any plot which is not being cultivated.

It is enough, but I don't think that anyone with more should have to give them up.  There are several people on my site that do and I know of no one who resents it.
As Lavenderlux says it would be a different story if they weren't cultivated or tended.

If people had not taken on extra aplots presume the whole site in the past would have become a complete mess and have been closed own.

QuoteI'm not giving them to some "newbie" who may not work them and let them get into a mess again...  

On the other hand we have 40 newbies on our site and only about five are not doing well, and these are not due to lack of effort.    Bllack plastic sheeting seems to be the warning sign, as soon as this appears rather than a good old fashioned spade or fork, then there seems to be a problem.

I am sorry but I think people with extra plots should consider the arrangement temporary and be prepared to surrentder them when demand picks up.  The recession is affecting a lot of people.
 

You should have how much you want (up to 40 poles on statutory sites).

The problem is that there are not enough plots - so the answer is to create new sites, not ration what's available.  Rationing takes the pressure off the councils, but the plot-less should use that pressure to force the councils to create more sites.

Quote from: saddad on September 02, 2009, 07:09:08
No... I took on extra plots when you couldn't give them away... and having worked to get them clear I'm not giving them to some "newbie" who may not work them and let them get into a mess again...  :-X

We did too and our plots are some of the smaller ones on our site.If we weren't cultivating them and keeping them tidy there might be a good reason  but as we are  "NO WAY !" >:(

First post, so Hi everyone.

I don't have a plot, I've now been waiting two years, however, I do not think that those with more than one plot should give up their additional plots.

I've seen how much hard work goes into some plots.  I think I'd feel really bad taking over a plot where the tennant had been force to hand it over.  That just wouldn't be right to me.

PJMcBear I agree, and think that most people would feel that way. Ill-feeling and resentment is the last thing that's wanted on allotment sites!

Welcome to A4A, and I hope that you get a plot sometime soon!

welcome to A4A PJMcBear and good luck with getting your allotment

Welcome to A4A PJMcBear  :)

I think that we need to educate the landowners on the benefits of having allotments.  Can it give a good return on investment?  It it more profitable than other 'crops'?

What are the pros and cons?  

Do not those with several plots feel a sense of guilt when they read the posts when someone is so excited and thrilled to finally get allocated an allotment?

Quote from: Digeroo on September 02, 2009, 10:42:21
I think that we need to educate the landowners on the benefits of having allotments.  Can it give a good return on investment?  It it more profitable than other 'crops'?

What are the pros and cons?  

If it comes down to finance, the most valuable crop is cheap affordable housing. Its also a far bigger vote winner than allotments which are seen more as pastimes, like parks, theatres and sports centres.

Quote from: Digeroo on September 02, 2009, 08:23:47
If people had not taken on extra aplots presume the whole site in the past would have become a complete mess and have been closed own.

On my site, in the past,  people were encouraged to take on extra plots to show the allotment was being used and shouldn't be sold off.  

Without these people we wouldn't have half the number of sites we do today.

Digeroo if I had more than one plot I wouldn't have a sense of guilt but I'd certainly be happy for them.

Welcome PJMcBear.
Digeroo we do not feel guilty having 2 plots ,as I've said before we tend them,cultivate them and share ,share and share everything we grow there . >:(Despite a hefty waiting list on our site several plotholders do none of the above and these are the people who would free up plots if they were encouraged to go.Sorry if I'm ranting but our allotment is a very special place for us and I'd defend it with a big stick if I had to. Where did you say you live Digeroo ;D ;D ;D

Several folk on our site have more than one plot, but - as has been pointed out - they were taken on to keep the site going. The important thing is whether the land is cultivated: that's why we have plot inspections, and that's why I go round talking to people. On the whole, most plot-holders are aware when they have too much land to cope with. In the last fortnight, two members have "given back" 20 poles between them, which I am in the process of sub-dividing.

It doesn't matter to me whether a member has 40 poles (which one couple have between them), or 5 poles, as long as they come and the land is cultivated. (And we're about to set up fairly minute starter-plots for first-time gardeners, as we've found that some people can't even cope with 5 poles.)

Hope you get a plot soon, PJ - and welcome.

 

QuoteDo not those with several plots feel a sense of guilt when they read the posts when someone is so excited and thrilled to finally get allocated an allotment?

Nope... but still can be very pleased for the new tenants...  :-X

Welcome PJMcBear, I do hope you get a plot soon.

Like a lot of you, I got my plot in the dark ages when the council couldn't give them away - I had twenty poles and the council said thay'd call it five when the billed me!  I'm putting in a reasonable effort to encourage my council to create new allotment sites, but I have never once been approached by a prospective tenant who wanted to support my effort.  If councils are to be encouraged to create more site then the plotless need to organise themselves, and I'll lend that movement my enthusiastic support, but they're not having my plot!