Allotment holders clash over prohibitive new rules
LONGSTANDING allotment holders in Thornford claim they are being pushed out by "incomers".
Members of Thornford and Beer Hackett Allotment Association clashed over proposed new membership clauses relating to insurance and operating hours at their AGM last Tuesday night.
Extra plots were created in 2010 to meet growing pressure on the association's waiting list.
Less than three years later, longstanding members say they are being pushed out by new rules to suit new members.
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Terry White, 76,who has been an allotment holder for four decades, spoke out against a proposed new clause that would require all members to be covered by pubic liability insurance. Insurers approached by the association would not provide cover for anyone aged over 75.
Mr White also complained about the lack of enforcement when rented plots become neglected and cast weed seeds on to neighbouring plots and was also concerned by a proposed clause that would force members to seek permission before being allowed to fence off plots to keep off pests such as rabbits.
Concerns were also raised about new neighbours calling for the opening time to shift from 7am to 10am at weekends to reduce disturbance in the mornings. According to members, the option of an early start has always been helpful to enable them to work around the weather.
"Incomers, I call it. Outsiders come in and try to run the place," Mr White said.
"I have been an allotment holder here for 40 years and for 36 of them it was perfect. The last four years: rubbish. We old allotment holders have our rules and you new people have yours."
Outgoing chairman Ian Thompson explained that the club's proposed insurance rules are based on national guidance.
"We were advised public liability insurance should be paid. We went through the National Association of Allotment Holders and they passed the enquiry on to another company but we could not find a company who would cover everyone."
Judy Nash
Comments
by Bindweed
Friday, March 15 2013, 8:51PM
“There was no waiting list on the old allotment, you had to be a friend of an outgoing allotment holder, or a friend of the existing allotment holders if a plot was abandoned. Two plots were lawned, housed a very nice caravan, and served as a holiday home for years.
There is now a waiting list based on first come first serve, available to any 'incomers' and 'outsiders' that live in the parish of Thornford and Beer Hackett.
I understand how not having any form of organisation was nice, cheap and convenient for the lucky few that were already served by the old allotment, but it was to the detriment of anyone else in the village.
I'm not sure what Mr.White's agenda is, as he has been repeatedly assured that no one is being forced off the allotment, he just won't be insured, as he hasn't been for the last 40 years, so will not need to pay the £1.50 or so a year that it will cost. It sounds like he just doesn't want to share.
It's saddening shame that a handful (if that) of people concerned entirely by themselves can undo that fantastic community spirit that Ian Thompson and others worked so very hard for, and the opportunities that it brought so many ThornHackett residents both young and old.”