‘What’s a Rod?’ asks Lottie as she wakes from her nap on the
allotment bench. Lottie is my faithful whippet who shares my plot but other than
to scare off Freddie fox and the moggie for the farm, she does not share the
work.
‘It’s a measure of land used by allotments.’ I answer wondering
what has triggered this sudden train of thought and where has she heard about
rods? We sit looking over the allotment, me thinking about what I need to do
next and Lottie just looking eagle-eyed over the allotment.
‘What’s a pole?’ Lottie suddenly perks up and asks.
‘It’s a measure of land used by allotments. It’s the same as
a rod or a perch.’ I respond.
‘Um, I don’t understand is it a rod, pole or perch.’ she asks.
‘Well …’ I find myself confused and grappling for a specific
and measured answer. I quickly change the subject to Lottie’s favourite one –
squirrels. A subject that can take hours with Lottie.
As allotments we often refer to and allocate ‘full’ and ‘half’
plots based on what is an old Anglo-Saxon land measure. 10 rods, poles and
perches, or 250 square metres roughly equate to the size of a full plot.
However, I can’t remember seeing anyone ever with a tape measure ensuring that
their or all plots conform to the standard referred to in the statutes. Are all
plots perfect and exact in their sizing? Do new starters demand proof that
their plot is the right size?
Maybe some do but for the vast majority it is not about the
specific size but the opportunity that matters. Size only becomes relevant when
rent is due. At our allotment we break down the rent information, sink fund,
water, insurance are universal charges with rent depending on the size of the plot
and whether there is a concession for those on state pension. National Society
fees are in addition and unlike our plot and membership fees are based on
single or duo plot workers.
So what is the size of a plot?
There is the question of paths and who owns the path that separates
plots, its size and whether and if this is often counted within the plot? Some
have tried to annex the path but our eagle-eyed Site Manager soon puts them
straight.
There is the question of how much of the plot must, or is
expected to be used for cultivation? Some allotments may have it clearly stated
in their tenancy agreements whilst others expect a standard. We adopted at
least 80% but again we don’t go out with tape measures unless we feel it’s
clearly not being met. But what is the cultivation expected? We clearly state
fruit and vegetables but accept flowers to a degree. However, as many move to building
raised beds more permanent plot and path layouts what do we count as
cultivation? Should it even matter if the plot is clearly being cultivated?
The size of sheds may be dictated within the tenancy agreement
but as I raised in an earlier article on their size, one person’s shed can be
another’s palace, both in its appearance and its size. As many plot holders are
collectors of stuff there is often the question of additional storage or overspill.
Then we have seating areas etc. Again its down to common sense, good working
practice and a consistent Site Manager.
A more pressing issue is the growing and latent demand for
allotments in many in high density urban areas. Recent survey figures have
identified the average waiting list being some 52 for every 100 plots with the majority
having an average wait over 18 months. Today I can state that our waiting list
far exceeds this and is also continuing to grow at a significant pace. This is
impacted further by a reduction in the rate of churn (leavers). In some urban sites
the wait can now exceed 10 years, whilst in others and more rural ones it
remains months.
This demand for growing space in inner city high density areas
is being driven by increase on population, an increase in high rise apartment
housing with no garden space, significant decrease in open and private growing space,
lack of community growing areas in new and old housing developments and an
awareness and demand for fresh food, exercise and wellbeing. We clearly have
demand that can’t be met, we have ratios within the statues but we are unable
to satisfy this due to housing and other demands on space. It is now often
impossible for Boroughs to make more space available for allotments without a
radical change of direction at many levels and across many areas of their responsibility.
Allotments are not viewed by many councils as essential and high priority
services and many don’t join up the dots between Parks, Waste, Environment, Education,
Social care and leave allotments adrift under Parks.
My thoughts are broken as a neighbour walks by and greets me
as he passes to his plot. Lottie wakes from another nap to ensure she knows
what is going on.
‘It’s only Mr Josephs’, I reassure Lottie who was not happy
to be disturbed and had obviously been deep in squirrel chasing dreams.
She watches as my new neighbour walks down their path to the
back of their plot.
‘Why have you got a
bigger plot than him?’ asks Lottie. ‘Is it to do with those rods and poles?’
‘I have a full plot and he has a half plot,’ I respond.
‘Are plots like rods perches and poles?’
I can tell this is going to take some explaining.
‘I have been here a number of years and have a full plot of
10 poles, rods or whatever. Mr Josephs is new and starts with a plot half that
size. After a year he can move to a full-size plot when one is available or he remain
on a half plot.’ I explain.
‘So, he is only going to be here a year?’ asks Lottie.
‘He has to start on half a plot so he can get used to
working it and it's then up to him whether he wants to stay on a half plot or
move to a full plot. It also depends on a full plot becoming available and he
or the other half plot holders wanting it.’
‘I think he’ll be moving up as he likes it and he’s hard
working,’ Lottie says with some level of experience having seen many come and
go over the years.
Last year we as a Committee decided to move to 10% of the
plots being divided into half plots. Thereafter we will decide on a plot by
plot basis as they become available. The sheer size of the waiting list is
forcing us to rethink plots and how we involve and manage the waiting list and
this precious land we are managing within the community.
Some have suggested creating a defined area and raised bed
and allocating these out as part of the starter process and to reduce the list.
Others would like it to be only full-size plots. We already have a plot which under
supervision is used by one of the local schools. Others wish to introduce
raised beds to accommodate a mentally or physically disabled group who could
benefit significantly from a community initiative but today have little opportunity
to grow produce and enjoy the widely associated benefits.
We are in dialogue with one housing association to create
community growing areas in their estate using people from our waiting list to
kick start the initiative. It’s about joining up dots.
As if reading my mind Lottie says, ‘as long as I have my
bench and you have your plot I don’t care about its size and those rods and
poles, I am happy.’
‘I agree, size doesn’t matter’ I replied still wondering who
had told her about those rods.
