Sunday 14 November 2010

Unrealistic expectations ?

There are lots of new people wandering around as the allotment office are trying to address the issue of unworked plots across the city and recently issued around 15o part and non-cultivation letters for our site.

Most of the potential newbies are horrified at the plots they are being offered, which got me thinking about expectations.

The first plot I was offered had gone native ... you couldn't tell where the wood began and it was situated at the remotest part of the site so I turned it down (indeed, 4 years on I'm pretty certain it's still not tenanted). The next one was only head height in weeds - so much more manageable haha and it's been bloody hard work to bring it round.

The council recently spent around £50,000 on clearing plots across the city (around 3,500 plots in total in Sheffield). I think there were around 7 plots cleared on our site, maybe a handful more. Unfortunately the plots that were chosen for clearance really were the worst of the worst - not such a bad thing you say ? Well the soil is thin or non-existent on the worst which have been used as landfill and the others are waterlogged as the sun doesn't manage to reach the soil because they are dwarfed by enormous mature trees. The new allotment officer even expressed disappointment at the plots that were chosen (by the previous officer we presume).

The family I met today had been on the list for 2 years - the plot they'd been offered sounded reasonable (it has some security issues, but the allotment office might be able to help with that) - but part of me wonders what will happen if they take it on. She was a new mum and so time is going to be pretty tight right and as the only person working the plot I wonder whether they are not biting off more than they can manage ? hmmm.

Then again when you've been waiting so long for a plot maybe you have higher expectations - afterall it wouldn't be remiss to think that a 2 year wait meant that the site had full occupancy & beautifully cultivated plots would it ... Maybe I'm the one with unrealistic expectations - but I'm only too aware of how much back breaking work allotments are ... and how quickly they go native if even left for a couple of weeks !

Some of our plots are monsters - but it's a self perpetuating issue. Newbies take on the plot, it's too much for them and they give up after a month or two ... but they've paid their rent, so keep the plot for another 10 months ... by which time the plot is in an even worse state - and so the cycle repeats.

So maybe the council should clear the plots for new tenants ? Sure, sounds great ... but when old Ken gave up his plot a couple of seasons ago, it was weed free, hedges trimmed to around 2foot, lots of beds ready to plant in - perfect for the new tenants who took it on as soon as he left. Sadly it is now completely overgrown again following a season of sunbathing, reading and a little light gardening - another casualty of the fashion for allotments ?

I don't know what the answer is really, but at least the new officers seem to mean business so all we can do is be as supportive as possible.

Speaking of which, the Allotment office have organised a team building day for their department in December. It's going to take the form of a 'ranger' day which basically means that the whole department turn up on our allotment site for the day with the aim of doing some plot clearance work and tackling some other jobs. We're going to try and rally the troops to swell their numbers and make some good progress - not a small task on a site as large as ours (400 plots).

Of course cake will be required for the volunteers - tonight I've made Delia's Spiced Apple Muffin Cake with Pecan struesel topping with a bag of donated apples - if you've got lots of apples left, give it a go - it is lovely with whipped double cream, warm from the oven ... oh yes. Yum !

8 comments:

  1. Wow, that's a bit deep for the blog?! Don't we all have unrealistic expectations? I know I do. How's your greenhouse these days... ;>)

    I don't think the last reigme did allotments any favours in Sheffield, but ancient legislation doesn't help turn the plots round either.

    Maybe new plot holders should have to pass a test to check their commitment, get them to sit through a Fed meeting - LOL!

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  2. I know, can you tell I'm cheesed off today! LOL

    If they had to go to the Fed meeting first we'd never get any new plot holders ! See you there - if Eric is going, will you remind me to talk to him about your shop :)

    God help me if they start talking about bees again - I'll have to sit on my hands to stop myself from clubbing someone !

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  3. I wouldn't be too disheartened. Not all of us are unrealistic. My husband and I were offered a very overgrown plot at the beginning of this year at Heeley. We saw its potential and just went for it. Hard, hard work but very enjoyable and rewarding. It's now fully cultivated. It has really helped having those skip days!! We would love to see other people's plots. Do you do open days in the summer? It would give us new plot holders inspiration and to get to know other fellow plot holders.
    ali

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  4. We have full tenancy on our site of only 60 plots so now new plotters are being offered half plots.

    When we took on our plots each of them were 'back to nature' and took lots of hard work to turn around but as you say newcomers will turn up their noses at a few weeds or will just 'play' at gardening.

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  5. Deep but true! But the council don't always help the situation. When I took mine the internal hedges were twice my height & it took ages to get that under control. Why couldn't they have sent a bloke with a chainsaw to cut it before I took it over; it would have taken an hour, max.

    And I've never understood why we have this daft system where we pay 3 months in arrears & 9 months in advance (or is it the other way round?) Why can't they have some sort of simple accounting system where you get a bill at the beginning of January and if you haven't paid by the end of January you're given notice to quit and you're gone by end March? That would leave enough time for someone new to come in on 1st April and get stuck in? What's hard about that? Simples!! Instead of which...we have this bonkers arrangement.

    Now see what you've done; you've started me off ranting. It'll end in tears, 'ee mark my words.

    And another thing (while I'm ranting). We had our shed broken into at at the weekend, at home. Barstewards. But they didn't get what they came for - the lawnmower - on account of me having chained it to an old bike, two garden chairs, a dustbin and a wheelbarrow. With a bit of luck it'll have given them hernias trying to get it out of the shed. Good!!

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  6. Good comments, Duck.
    suggestions:
    1.- more half and quarter sites to help those with less time.
    2.- 'buddying' or mentoring from experienced allotmenteers.

    Danny (Park Rifles site, Sheffield)

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  7. thats true we do have some brilliant newbies doing some amazing things ...

    Interesting thoughts on the rent policy - the council are keen to make changes according to the Fed ... in their ideal world we'd pay the full year in advance. From what I can gather the system that the office use are completely hopeless. Man I'd sort them out !

    Some of our plots are being split into two - it seems a bit random though. It would be good if we could have more input - we've just been appointed the newest Allotment Offier, Ceri Ashton, so maybe this is a new opportunity for us to try and get more involved.

    I like the buddy idea and we are applying for some funding to hold some training sessions. Will be interesting to see if we get any volunteers for our Ranger Day.

    hopefully we can have an open allotment weekend to tie in with our centenary celebrations next year.

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  8. Best of luck with the site, sounds like there's some issues to resolve. I think buddying / mentoring would work, new people may not realise how much work there is or do some work and then not return because they are worried they haven't done enough. Tricky one to sort out.

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