The Changing of all the Locks

It was great this weekend seeing all the plot holders. Well almost all the plot holders. We had to allocate new keys out to all in preparation for the changing of the locks today.

‘Can I have two keys please?’ I was asked.

'No sorry, but you are a single plot and as such you only get one key’ I reply.

'But I may lose it,’ came the response.

‘Look after it as the deposit is against the one key and if a second one is needed due to loss we will have to charge for it.’ I finish.

There were keys coming out of the woodwork all over. 'I lost it got a new one and then i found it so can I get my money back?'

'You only ever had one key from us and if we replaced and found it you should have given us one back.'

It can only be expected that after many years it is easy to see how how keys get passed on, not handed back, extras privately cut. ‘I got an extra cut it cost me fifteen-pounds do I get my money back if I hand it in?’ Was one request.

‘If you paid for the key at a locksmith then that’s your cost. Nothing to do with us.’ I had to respond.

The old 'security' keys on the upper plots had little security and their code restriction ran out years ago and they could and where cut anywhere. In fact, it is probable that half the problems we have today are down to copied keys and worn locks. The lower plots only had a Yale key access which could be cut anywhere.

Today we have drawn a line under the sand and the new keys are fully secured and only should be cut with the registered code and card. We even etched unique numbers on the shaft of every key to help identify ownership on the register.

One great thing about the process was meeting every plot holder and reminding myself who was who, also listening to what some had to say about their plots and the site. The vast majority was positive with just a few issues surfacing which will need to be looked at. I only wish we could get the same turnout at the AGM or be able to see everyone on a regular basis.

Yes there were some language challenges often lost in translation, but Google Translate is pretty good at converting English to Mandarin.

We are very fortunate to have a large allotment pavilion with two doors and plenty of chairs to create a social distancing snake to aid queuing. However there was the one plot holder who said that they  were now safe having had the virus and I watched as all in the room quickly take two steps backwards. Interesting times we live in and the real dangers we continue to have to be alert to.

The second achievement this weekend was that we finally went cashless. No more hours counting the pennies and trying to reconcile a mountain of cash. We only took money deposit on second keys which were only available to duo plots were two folk worked a plot. This was a twenty-pound deposit and wasn’t taken up by all but itself help contribute against the overall cost. Many paid in advance by agreed bank transfers into our account, others paid on the day via our new SUMUP mobile card reader. It was so easy to take the deposits over the card reader and issue receipts via their email account or via text to their phone. Payments are going to be so simple going forward. No more cash and all seemed to welcome it.

Yesterday I got home and was just relaxing with a cuppa when the mobile pinged saying ‘you got mail.’

There on my mobile was a picture of a bust lock in someone’s hand and a message saying the old lock was bust. I looked at Annie who rolled her eyes. The life of an allotment Chair's other half is often tested.

Annie, Lottie and I donned our coats and set off together to the allotments.

‘Do we have to go?’ asked my faithful whippet Lottie.'I might rain.'

‘Yes,’ answered Annie. ‘We haven’t seen much of him all weekend as it is.’

I kept quiet and my head down as this was obviously not the time to defend the trip out.

We arrived and I soon sorted the issue out and restored the lock to be fully working. It is somewhat amazing that the lock knew it was his last day and decided to eject its bolt in some sort of last minute protest.

Today is the big lock changeover. I can almost predict the phone calls I will get this week from the few folk who didn’t collect their keys or took the wrong key to the plot. It can be a thankless task looking after the allotments and can’t wait to get our Secretary and our Site Manger back from self-isolation.

'One more day and then we'll be back to the plot.' I tell Lottie as we set out to the allotments once more. 

Securing the Allotment

Security of the allotments can be a niggling issue.

When my daughter had a plot in Leytonstone het shed was broken into on a regular basis. The solution was to leave it unlocked and after that they left it alone. There was nothing valuable in there and frankly finding things might have challenged the thief more than breaking into the shed.

Sheds can be attractive to some at any time of the year whilst fresh produce is only attractive and taken during the high season when its clearly visible and inviting.

The security question has to be about the value of the goods and although they add up, even at the car boot sale, the resale value of the tools is often negligible. However, the effect of being robbed, strangers in the shed and property taken is often far greater than its value.

We are fortunate on our allotments to be surrounded by two-metre-high industrial metal fencing with barbed wire on top. There is also a dense hedge and growth on some stretches where we pollard the trees to create a mixed living and dry thicket and extra fence for intruders to negotiate. The gates are also two-metre-high, metal and have commercial locks. The only animals to get in and out are Freddie fox and his pack who either dig under or climb over and dealing with their entry points can be like painting the Forth Road Bridge – a never ending task.

Do we have problems?

Yes, but fortunately they are few and far between. If someone wants to get in they obviously can, but they would have to do so probably in the dark of night and would you seriously climb fences and wander around an allotment in the dark knowing the only way out was the way you came in?

We have had no serious shed break-ins that I can remember. We have had a shed fire but that was not down to a malicious break-in. However, we have several reports every season of a fruit tree being stripped of fruit, or a plant going missing, or some vegetables being taken, but working out whether it was internal or external is impossible and the value again is negligible.

Can you imagine manned watchtowers at each corner of the site with searchlights scanning the plots and sirens ready to sound off at the sight of a trespasser? Freddie fox and all his night-time chums would be furious and getting volunteers to man the towers would be impossible. Some have suggested cctv and an animal camera but it’s an allotment not a High Street unit or high-end housing area.

We must act in accordance to the risk, value and impact and let common sense prevail.

Our best deterrent is our industrial gate locks. However, after many years of service these have become a pain to maintain and every few months stick. We must oil them and hope WD40 does the trick. If we take them to the locksmith then padlocks and chains must be deployed on a temporary basis and as both sites have two gates access is restricted to the other gate. The annoyance is that the locks always fail just as you are sitting down for a cuppa and a read. You get the call that the lock is stuck, and the gate is open, and the person ringing you is always just about to go home. Bes5t of all there is often no one else around. Even my whippet Lottie object to have to go out and watch me fiddle with locks to secure the site.

‘I’ve only just got in from zooming in the park’ Lottie says still panting from chasing her ball.

‘We won’t be log,’ I reply.

‘That’s what you said last time! You need new lock.’ She says obviously now intent on managing me.

‘Come on, the quicker we sort it, the quicker we can get back.’

Off we go, me with a small tool bag and Lottie reluctantly following on her lead.

The other wee one of the locks finally gave up the ghost during lockdown and we finally had to bite the bullet and decide that a new lock was needed. As all keys on each site fit the two locks on each site a replacement was not straight forward. The locks and keys we needed to address were security ones and replacing the barrel whilst retaining the existing keys was not an option. Therefore, two double barrels and 100 keys were needed.

I researched the options and there were now a lot. As a significant number of plot holders don’t have email and a code numbered lock’s code can be easily passed onto anyone, they we ruled out.

As the site does not have electricity, the fob and electric gate systems had to also be ruled out. We did look at wind generators and solar powered panels, but when you added up all the costs these were prohibitive and it’s only an allotment. It was however surprising what was available in respect to solar and wind power but the sight of these would probably attract some unwanted guests. The electric fob systems would be ideal with everyone having a unique fob which could be dynamically activated or disarmed and a full access record of all movements available via an administration App.

We have also suffered over the years with folk cutting extra keys and despite having a key deposit, leavers often never return their keys when they leave, and previously we failed to retain appropriate key records. To top it all, what we thought and were told were security keys and only able to be cut with a code was incorrect and the code restriction ran out years ago.

So we decided to replace the double barrels and get a 100 keys cut. We opted for new security keys and locks which had a higher level of restrictions and codes and which are not time limited. We even got an extra unique security number engraved on the shaft of each key for free. This code would now be recorded in our new key register.

Now it’s a case of issuing all the keys and enjoying a quiet undisturbed life.

Then the call came. ‘Do you know the lock’s broken on the gate next to the pavilion and it’s been left unlocked?’

‘Ok, I’ll be there when I’ve finished my dinner.’ I replied getting a discerning look from over the table.

‘I’ve got to go and there is no one else here’ came a quiet voice from the plots.

‘Ok I’m coming over.’

Unfortunately, one of the other site’s locks has now decided to come out in sympathy and is unworkable. Yes, we must replace that as well.

Security can often be an unrewarding task on the allotments.