Sunday 15 January 2012

Allotments - David Parratt of the Town Council

True to form, I received a prompt and detail reply to the email I sent last weekend; it arrived last Tuesday.

Here it is:

You need to be aware of the facts and I have spoken to Les Ord about this.

The situation has improved considerably over the past few years. Last year
the waiting list was 60+. It is now down to 10 at present out of all the
allotments in Ulverston and there is no waiting list at Sandside. There is
one vacant plot here at present which is in the process of being let.

The marked reduction is partly due to a number of allotment holders
receiving a 'Notice to Quit', a number simply giving up for various reasons
and an increase in the availability of half plots. Where plots have been
taken over fairly recently, some in poor condition, little work if any will
have been carried out in the atrocious weather conditions experienced of
late. Therefore, the true picture may not necessarily be apparent without
the facts. The situation will continue to be monitored over the coming
months using regular and excellent feedback that we receive from the
allotment representatives both at meetings and outside them.

The method of administration does not need to change - it already has!

David Parratt
Town Clerk
Ulverston Town Council

A reply, I thanked him for, on Tuesday.

4 comments:

JAK said...

Looking after a couple of hundred allotment tennants is like trying to herd cats. I salute David and Sue.

Geoff Dellow said...

Why is this?

I always understood that allotments were a wonderful place where people operated in teams to everyone's benefit.

I'm in touch with people running allotments where this is still true:

Have a look at Wirrall Federation of Allotment Socoeties

Margaret Campbell their secretary was doing a great job on behalf of allotment holders when I talked to her last.

I fear there's an attitude here in Ulverston that"Teacher knows best" in this case David Parratt .

From my point of view "it ain't necessary so".

But if it's good enough for the people of Ulverston, why should I argue.

However I can't avoid getting upset when I look at the two allotments either side of mine and compare them with others that are being gardened well and produce beautiful vegetables.

The soil is amazing resulting and woderful crops - just problems of drainage - which I believe could be greatly improved if we worked as a team - but no - we've all been allowed to behave like a "herd of cats" .

And we're told "Everything is under control" talk about people who manage to persuade others that black is really white.

How did this ever happen?

Anonymous said...

how many allotments altogether are there in ulverston

Geoff Dellow said...

This is an"educated guess" - two to three hundred.