It seems that there is a debate beginning amongst certain councils as to whether elderly people who are unable to grow as many veg as they used to should be kicked off their allotments.
Anyone interested in entering the discussion?
It seems that there is a debate beginning amongst certain councils as to whether elderly people who are unable to grow as many veg as they used to should be kicked off their allotments.
Anyone interested in entering the discussion?
Rogerstone Council is the latest to think yes.
What do you think?
Not a bad idea for allotment societies to set up 'buddy' schemes to match experienced but less mobile growers with enthusiastic first-timers... Anyone who is struggling to manage their allotment on their own, feel free to find a buddy on Landshare!
(note: if you are on a formal allotment, you may need permission to share your allotment from the relevant allotment society/ your council, particularly if there is a waiting list.)
9 comments
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There is a waiting list for an allotment in my area. However, there are quite a few which clearly have not been touched in years and several people have a second and third allotment. If a person wishes to grow flowers then they should be allowed, after all they have paid the rent, the older generation having paid rent for years!!! All vegetables need pollination and therefore flowers attract Bees which go on to polinate vegetables. No one on any Council seems to understand the workings of nature, let alone tact !!!
By chicken Garry on 09 August 09 at 14:58 | Report misuse
it's never about age,it's about common sense...all allotment owners encourage communication...don't isolate ,form a gowers club for your community...i would love to help in my area ...the waiting list is so long that it's impossible for me and my very green fingered girlfriend to have our own patch for 6 years,N10 North London...we would be more than happy to help everyone in our local allotment off Coppetts Road..if any body wants help clearing and re-planting ,do get in touch..Alex and Bee.
By alex scaglia on 26 July 09 at 22:51 | Report misuse
If it is overgrown and the council or the allotment society do not get a letter of proof that the allotment is being tendered within
2 months they should be forced to give it up to someone who really really does want it and make use of the precious land.
By richee on 22 July 09 at 17:27 | Report misuse
Well if it is in a state of abandonment yes they should have to give it up
By richee on 22 July 09 at 17:23 | Report misuse
i can see where the council is coming from but it is not write just to turff them out maybe they should meet half way and say well instead of giving it up why dont you get somone yonger to help yuo and you split what you grow.
By kenny on 22 July 09 at 11:43 | Report misuse
At what stage is someone classified as elderly??
One would presume that if that is at 60's/ 70's then we could also get rid of some of our councillors??
If the plot is clean and being looked after and is producing, AGE means nothing.
If a plot is over grown then 12months should be the limit- unless there are circumstances that have held the person back and then the allotment manager should of known about it and draffted in the next on the list as a buddy.
There should be no allotments that are overgrown and needing 12months of work to fetch them to the production stage.
All allotments have their rules and regs. and as always these are open to interpritation by various persons.
Remember that if you do not involve yourselves in the politics of your site then you will get what you deserve??????
VOTE
By angwella on 15 July 09 at 20:30 | Report misuse
a possible sollution would be to mail have a notice or mail drop of all the allotment users and those who don't repy or are obviously unused within the set time are cleared(community service prehaps) and then passed on to the list. another option would be to offer those struggling to take a younger "apprentice" on they do most of the work for the knowledge and share the produce, possible go on to taking on the whole plot when the current owner packs it in. we have a 4 year wait here and i'd happily clear and share but the council are deaf to suggestions and pass you round the office untill your so frustrated you give up!
By lessthanjase on 15 July 09 at 09:21 | Report misuse
I am helping somebody out on their plot in Exeter and I was astonished how many plots on these particular allotments are entirely overgrown. There is one old person holding on to two plots and they are both completely untended. But there are also plenty of people who work just a split fraction of their plot, sometimes as a matter of aesthetics, sometimes because they simply can't cope. Having cleared a sizeable patch of couchgrass, bramble and co in an inch by inch manner I can tell that those people are not just blocking space, they also create work for their successors and neighbours.
The responsibility however lies with the councils. It seems that the management of these places is entirely out of touch with the requirements of the time. In Exeter there are massive waiting lists too and that just doesn't match up with what I have seen, in fact it's rather infuriating.
In my view councils need to provide more allotment space to begin with, and yes, the priority in these places clearly should be on growing food, otherwise one should call it a community garden. Secondly, existing allotments should be managed more efficiently. If a plot grows over that does not have to mean immediate eviction, but it should mean immediate action. There are enough people who would work somebody elses plot for a season or two like me. If the regular tenant doesn't show any interest after a year or two, that certainly should be it.
The case of the old lady featured in the newspaper article however sounds like a totally unnecessary and inappropriate heavy-handedness on behalf of that particular Council.
Finally I want to add that in an urban environment allotments can be most valuable for young families too. Obvious health benefits and saved money aside it is the only constructive outdoor pursuit I can do with my little children without packing them into a car first and after some initial moaning they now take a keen interest in work and plants - how much better than TV is that!
By inclosure act on 11 July 09 at 06:47 | Report misuse
I think such a suggestion is outrageous! keeping as active as possible ameliorates health and encourages people to socialise. Given that a number of elderly people now live on their own to keep an allotment must have a number of benefits for them including remaining as pgysically active as possible, maintaining and establishing ne wfriendships as well as having a healthy diet.
Louise
By Louise Frayne on 05 July 09 at 18:51 | Report misuse