Allotment Mafia - Help

[girlsAboysD]

I have had an allotment for about 4 years and, when able, have had it cultivated and growing stuff. I have spent a long time digging up brambles and 2 foot steel posts that were buried in the ground. Over the 4 years I have had verious difficulties that have taken me away form the plot for a time (like being unable to walk, and having 2 babies, 1 of which died), but I have always returned and got going again. I have never thrown stuff onto other people's plots and have always tried to be conscientious. I have been away from it for a couple of months (as I have a young baby) but now have more time as all my other children are at school and went back to see what I needed to do to get ready for next year. I was rounded upon by two (Male) members of the committee who told me that It costs them to clear plots ( They have never done any clearing on my plot)and that there was nothing growing on my plot and they could tell me to "jack it in right now" if they wanted. They were so aggressive and intimidating that I ended up leaving without even looking at my plot and now I'm scared to go back in case I see them again. I really do want to start working on my plot again, but I don't know what to do. Any advice welcome.

[Katymac]

I think that sounds very frightening

I don't have much advise tho'
Sorry

At least this will bump it up

[TwigTwoolett]

find the name of the head of the committee and the person at the council (?) who is in charge of waiting lists

complain in writing and explain how intimidated you feel .. tell them you are really keen to return to your allotment but need assurances that you will not be verbally attacked again .. reinforce to them how terrifying that can be to a woman alone when rounded on by 2 intimidating officious oafs

[somethingunderthebedisdrooling]

i'm with twiglett. for you.

[foulmoonfiend]

we had a similar (but nastier) time on our local plot with really vile mysoginistic old duffers in charge. We got as many women plot holders as possible to write to the council who own the allotments. It turned out the person in charge of allotments at the council was female and she really put the boot in to them and robbed them of their positions on the committee.

So do write to the council - and claim sex discrimination if neccessary; councils are very twitchy about that!

[FillyjonkthePumpkinEater]

gabd

this is really vile

it is intimidation and not on

contact the council asap and complain. argue to be put to the front of another site's waiting list if need be.

take a mobile when you go

if you are really scared, consider contacting the police and talking to them-if these guys continue to behave in this manner it will become harassment.

huuuuge sympathy. God. Just what you need, I expect?

[FillyjonkthePumpkinEater]

oh and we have a right committee clique going on on ours too-but not really like this. More like conservation orders at the drop of a hat while the hon sec uses his plot as a rag and bone dumping site.

I feel very strongly about women being able to grow things on allotments, and am

[Greensleeves]

agree , i would suspect the local mafia want your plot for themselves or a mate

have you got friends/family who could help you do a full-day blitz to get it all looking cosmetically better?

My tips for making allotment look more "lived-in" to get the mafia off your back: dig out a few "beds" and use canes to mark them out as though you are planting something

create strateegic flower-filled beds (pansies are cheap) in the more visible bits, esp along sides (tell people they are to encourage bees, for pollinating fruit/marrows/pumpkins/whatever, next season) We put in loads of marigolds around a big square which we were planning to use for carrots, because marigolds deter carrot fly, and are also very bright and visible

cultivate the front a bit, then create "bean beds" ( plant broad beans now, or just prepare beds for planting in Spring) with canes set up, it will obscure the view of the messier bits behind.

trim edges/paths/bits that adjoin other pots/public walkways.

That's what we did.... gave us time to get our act together.

[girlsAboysD]

Thanks so much for all your advice and support. My friend and I are thinking of putting daffodil bulbs in planted to say "UP YO**S". The trouble is that since Tuesday, the weather has been really bad and has thrown down the rain every time I even pick up a fork and head out. My parents are coming down tomorrow for a week and my Dad grows his own veg. I am hoping that he will help me do some digging. At least if I'm up there with a man, Al Capone and his gang should leave me alone.

[girlsAboysD]

Incidentally, for anyone who is interested, Lidl is going to be selling fruit (gooseberry, raspberry, blueberry and blackcurrant) bushes next Saturday for 99p each!

[Greensleeves]

Our allotment mafia are totally unsympatheitc about the fact that as young parents with small children, we can't just turn up everyday and sit about in bucolic bliss drinking cocoa out of a tin cup all day like the rest of them. Although the last time one of them made a snide remark to me about us not being around much, I pointed out politely that while we can't be there all day every day, when we do show up, we get about 10 times as much work done in an hour as the rest of them because we're not in our late 70s. So it's swings and roundabouts really.

[somethingunderthebedisdrooling]

i want some fruit bushes from lidl but won't be here to get them next week. [sniff]

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Am gutted about having to give mine up

THank you for the tip on lidl. Ignore the old feckers - they are harmless and have nothing else in their lives these days.

[nikkie]

Ooh good tip thanks!

Good idea to go with your Dad, they probably do want it for a mate or they are the type who think women can't do 'heavy work' like allotments

[girlsAboysD]

I have been up to the plot today, in the drizzle and dug over a bit of a bed (with the help of my dad) and planted some pansies. Thank you for that tip, they are 3 for 2 at homebase.

[Greensleeves]

Oh good, I am glad you managed to get something done on it today (despite the foul weather) - hope you're feeling better about it.

[beckybraAAARGHstraps]

Now is a good time to put in overwintering onions and garlic if you feel the urge.

Shame about the old men. Our allotment is a bit of a state, but the old blokes are lovely to us. If you could strim off the worst of the weeds that might make it look better too. Part of ours looks as though it's been grassed over where we've strimmed. Good place for the children to play too.

[girlsAboysD]

Have ordered some garlic, it is coming in about 7 days (Kings seeds - 1.95 for 3 bulbs) and some green stuff, mizuna and mustard greens and a lettuce which are supposed to do well over winter. Unfortunately Kings have sold out of onions, but I am going to have a scout around the net. I'm also on the hunt for a good deal on daff bulbs tee hee.

[girlsAboysD]

Have been up to the plot today, planted some daffs and managed to dig about half a square yard (!) before the baby started screaming and the rain came down. As I was leaving, a lady came up to me and said "It's nice to see you, I didn't think you had a plot up here any more" "Yes, I do" "Oh, really, I didn't think you did" At which point I had to fight the urge to use offensive language. Fortunately my Dad was with me. This lady for about 2 years kept her plot by mowing round beds that were chin-high with weeds, and leaving the beds untended - for the wildlife apparently. ??!!