Well they say that you can't choose your
family, neighbours and also who has the plot next to you.
We all know that it only takes a little spark,
a passing comment, a smokie from a fire blowing in the wrong direction, or just
a badly maintained path or plot and World War 3 can break out on the plots. The
trenches may have been dug for the spuds
but they offer little cover and if issues aren't addressed swiftly and
fairly, a no man’s land will appear
between feuding plots. Often a quiet word in an ear from a Site Manager can
calm matters and a return to pleasantness.
We all remember back in 2017 when 80 year old Lea Adri-Soejoko, an allotment secretary and treasurer in North London was found dead in her shed. A lawnmower cord had been wrapped tightly around her neck by a fellow allotment holder she had known for nearly a decade, because he thought he may lose his plot.
We all remember back in 2017 when 80 year old Lea Adri-Soejoko, an allotment secretary and treasurer in North London was found dead in her shed. A lawnmower cord had been wrapped tightly around her neck by a fellow allotment holder she had known for nearly a decade, because he thought he may lose his plot.
Recently we read about sabotage on the plot of
Joe Mills, who runs a YouTube channel called Digging for Dinner. Someone had
ruined his entire crop dousing it with paint and varnish. When only one plot
gets attacked then obvious questions get asked.
Last week a Twitter report said that someone
on their allotments had been hit on the head by a rock thrown by another plot
holder and the police were even called.
We often hear about disputes with the
committee who are trying to just maintain rules but to some they are seen to be
overly zealous and they may ignore the fact that the issue is often down to them breaking the rules. People may be
asked several times by different people to abide by the rules but all of a
sudden it's not their breach of the
rules but the manner they were approached and a stream of unrelated issues
surface in their defence.
There can be incidents where beans or other
high and foliage plants are densely grown right along the dividing path. One
party will claim it is with the intent of deliberately intending to block their
light. They turn to the committee to resolve. When asked to take down and move
the plants before they become an issue the others often do nothing and then
it's too late to move the plants. Next year they repeat their planting.
We have had the victimisation card played and
incidents where the whole family and even other non members who have never been
on the plot make claims.
Then there are the cases of theft or sabotage
and when inspected often little substance can be found to support the claim.
There are those who throw the accusations out first with little or no substance
and you discover it's not about a single issue but something that went off long
before that.
When relations clearly are not going to be
resolved plot holders have been given the opportunity to move. This is not a
measure taken lightly or recommended but sometimes it works.
However, let’s not lose sight that 99% of the
time there is peace, harmony and goodwill. Folk get on, share seeds and plants,
cover for each other and pass many a sunny afternoon together over a cuppa.
That is until you mention the bindweed, the
weather, the harvest, the gate locks, the rent, the….. The seemingly most
innocent of conversations can bring out those pent up issues,.so today, make a
special effort to say hello, have a chat and compliment them on their plot.
