[peapod]

I do think the time schedule in your list is a bit harsh, but in the main I'm with Alex.
Id be sending warning letters if the plot is not markedly improved in the first year. (not necessarily growing things). Its surprising how much you can get done in a few hours a week,even o the worst of plots. Everyone has differing demands on their time and this needs to be taken into account more than you have done Corynsboy, but if a plot holder genuinely doesnt have the time in the first year to make a good inroad into the work required then maybe its not the time to take on a plot as well as other as other restrictions on time.
I suspect that this is a draft however,and can be amended further.

[titch]

No such thing as bad weather
IT'S JUST A QUESTION OF HAVING THE RIGHT CLOTHING

Ha Ha Ha ......

this made me laugh, as i am now looking for clothing to protect me from horizontal rain and hail (as was this weekend)
our aggreement says plots need to be in a state of cultivation - i take that to mean as growing somehting, that to me makes sense, be it nettle andcomfrey for use, wildflowers to encourage insects beneficial to plot, or veg for eating, parts that take some time to clear should have time to do so, and real time, not time for those who can spend serious amounts of time on their plots
 

[corynsboy]

These are all excellent comments and exactly the sort of thing the committee will need to take into consideration when fine tuning the rules.

I was particularly interested in your comments regarding green manure and ground cover plants and the issues regarding parts of plots that are specialist or just not used for part of the year. All very relevant.  We can't punish members for being specialists or adopting particular growing techniques.

We are keen not to be too harsh, however this issue was brought up by consensus from a record attendance for an AGM.   The issue caused some extensive debate.  We intend to spend some time on this and get it right.

We must keep in mind that tidy is not the be all and end all, and check ourselves for being too fussy.

Not for nothing is this my goto website for ideas and information.  Thank you all for your time.

[azubah]

I agree with most people who have given their opinions on here. I'm sure that I would have been thrown off my plot years ago under these rules!
 The tenant of the plot next to mine has not been seen for months. It would make a nice lawn if mown! Those are the types who should be evicted, not those who have a go but do not conform to others expectations. Allotments are for enjoyment.

[aubergine]

I agree with azubah,if someone is attempting to cultivate `something` in the growing season then I think you have to be tolerant,not everyone has the time/energy/ability or health to do much more.I hate derelict/abandonded plots,they seem to drain my energy and enthusium,so I applaud your committee for addressing this,here everybody moans but no-one  does anything
Aubergine

[wighty]

Mike on our plot decided his whole plot was too much so asked if he could go over to a half plot.  The Council agreed but have charged him the same as a whole plot and we have asked MikeII (other half plot holder) and he is paying the same! We only use about half of our plot but am bugg***d if we are going to give it up.

[digalotty]

sounds like a boot camp wth prison rules :ohmy:its not just a bit harsh its ridiculas this is an activity people choose to do for enjoyment. providing people are working their plot and paid up on time the committee should mind their own 
 so who is the committee...  hitler   stalin   muzollini

[peapod]

Overboard comment there digalotty, they are acting on the say-so of the majority plotholders worries..as Corynsboy has already pointed out it was the largest ever attended AGM and was an obvious worry to the plotholders.  There is (or should be) a reason why there are committees and at least this one is listening to the majority. And prepared to tweak it to compromise to suit all as much as possible.The point is that some people arent working their plot, and although those rules are harsh they wont stay that way Im sure, Give hime credit for posting here and finding what info he needed before he went storming in without listening to anyone

[wafflycat]

The OP's prospective rules.. my response is that of a complete newbie, interested in possibly getting an allotment if I can do reasonably well growing stuff in my garden, and in need of encouragement. The rules look so strict to me, that they would put me off. As a newbie, I *will* be making mistakes. I would be looking to get encouragement and advice, not a telling off for any mistakes I make.

A nearby town has some new allotments. They are *pristine* They are filled with lovely new expensive sheds. What look like many an expensive raised bed, and many a gleaming 4x4 is parked up. I wouldn't want an allotment there. I'd feel completely intimidated. In my mind (and as a newbie I am willing to be told I'm completely out of my tree), allotments are supposed to be for 'ordinary' people to grow their own food, so this means much making-do, reusing, improvisation, recycling... learning from the experienced folk who will hopefully encourage a willing newbie (of any age) rather than make him or her feel as if they are waiting to pounce on any and all errors in a way as to criticise rather than as an opportunity to learn.

If an allotment is being left to go to rack & ruin, then by all means, the holder should lose the lot, but are allotments meant to be run like a pre-war holiday camp, with set things done at set times and woe betide anyone who fails to turn up every weekend.

Probably that's not what you'd be wanting to make anyone feel like, but *as a newbie* that's what it sounds like to me: off-putting.

Difficult job getting it right - I don't envy you that task - and credit to you for trying.

[digalotty]

here here my thoughts too

[peterjf]

we have the same problem in hull , all allotment sites (22) are owned by the council , its really hard to get the shirkers digging their plots , if it was upto our committee we would give them 3-4 months to bring their plots upto a decent standar then if nothing is done we would give them notice to quit,

[PAULW]

We have a competition/site inspection every month through the summer, the best plot each month gets a certificate and at the end of the summer the person with the most points is awarded a trophy, during the inspection any plot not deemed up to standard first gets gets a verbal "is everything all right" from the site manager if there is no improvement the following month the first "you are required to do some work on your plot " letter goes out if there is no improvement after that then the eviction notice is sent out. we have over 50 people on our waiting list and it is not fair on them to have someone sitting on a plot and doing nothing when the ground could be used.

[MOLUSC]

I got my new tenancy agreement in the post yesterday.
There are 2 additions this year.

RULE 1
A probationary period of three months will be given to all new allotment holders starting from the day they accept the allotment.If after the three month period the allotment has not been cultivated then the contract will be immediately terminated.

RULE 2
As from April 1st
1st letter ...This will ask the tennant to cultivate the plot.
2ND letter... If the tennant is sent another letter then this letter will state that this is the second and last warning
3RD letter ...The tenant will be given four weeks to remove their belongings from the allotment and their contract terminated.

Sounds harsh but i totally agree with  it.

Our allotment is big but everyone knows each other,if a person was taken ill or was on holiday etc the allotment /council "inspector" is sympathetic.
Its aimed at the people who dont show up for months on end.

My plot was given to me (and 3 others as it was split into quarters) after the previous tenant did nothing all year.
The weeds where neck high and spreading to other plots, the waiting list now stands at 100.
It makes sense to me,Work your land or dont work it at all.

[senrab_nhoj]

For those of you who think the guidelines/rules etc are too harsh, I presume that you aren't happy with neglected plots on your site where there is a waiting list?

How would you define a neglected plot and in those terms how long would that mean that plot is non productive?

[wafflycat]

For those of you who think the guidelines/rules etc are too harsh, I presume that you aren't happy with neglected plots on your site where there is a waiting list?

How would you define a neglected plot and in those terms how long would that mean that plot is non productive?

I think there's been plenty of comment saying that *neglected* plots should be taken from the plotholder. Does it have to be Gulag *or* a free-for-all? Can't some sort of compromise be made? Difficult for any committee to negotiate that fine line, I understand, but does it have to be seen as one extreme or another? As for what is neglected? How about not being used? Used inapproriately (non-edible produce?) Overrun with weeds? Used as a dumping ground and spilling over on to other plots? I'm pretty sure if a plot appears to be being uncultivated that enquries made to the plot holder would find out what is going on and if a plot needs to be reallocated sooner/later/not at all.