Appearance
of site
Prior
to spring 1998, there had been minimal
input by a plot-holder’s committee,
with management being undertaken solely by
the landlord’s agent. The site was
not advertised, it was hard to find out
how to rent an allotment, there were poor
facilities on the site, only a few water
points and poor tracks. There was no
systematic review of the cultivation of
plots, and minimal attempts to secure a
satisfactory level of cultivation. On both
parts of the site there were areas not
laid out as plots, but which were bramble
patches, and some ex-plots that had once
been let but then allowed to lie
vacant.
Even
with such poor management the areas marked
out with plots were 80% let but the
appearance of all areas of the site was
not that of a vibrant community. The
overall impression was patchy, with some
very well-cultivated plots, and others
which were not.
In
Autumn 1997 three plot-holders were asked,
and agreed to vacate their plots, and take
up ones elsewhere on the site. In February
1998 all new lettings on any part of the
whole site were suspended. A further 18
plot-holders were told to vacate their
plots by September ’98 and offered
the alternative of a plot on the remaining
site or leaving. During that spring and
summer previously un-let bramble patches
were cleared and all the remaining site
was marked out as allotment plots. The 11
plot-holders who had decided to move were
allocated one plot each. The others gave
up their plots. The remaining allotments
now look well used, with adequate paths,
and no wild patches of brambles. A general
air of purposeful activity with a variety
of gardening styles prevails.
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The
land that was vacated in
September 1998 has subsequently
been left to become overgrown and
derelict, a welcome landscape but
in the opinion of many, in need
of attention. This photograph
showing the Recreation ground,
the ‘reserved land’ and
the remaining allotments
illustrates this point.
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Waiting
list data
During
1998 the plot-holders became more
organised and recorded waiting list data
independently. Allotment lettings are
cyclical and linked to the growing
seasons. The new letting year starts in
October, with people giving up their plots
at the end of September. There is
frequently an increase in applications in
early spring/summer, but applications are
largely a function of advertising.
Pent-up
demand and publicity from the Planning
Consultation, and some modest advertising
meant that in December 1998 the remaining
site was completely full with a waiting
list of 25, having been at about that
level for 3 months. By January 2000 the
waiting list was steady at 10 people,
after some new lettings and some people
were removed from the list, having refused
plot offers. Again there was some modest
advertising by the newly constituted
Tilehurst Allotments Society ensuring that
an contact address was always on the
notice-board. On average people had to
wait for one growing season for a plot.
Frequently this news was off-putting and
enquiries were not pursued further. In
February 2001 the waiting list had been
cleared to zero, but by early March it had
risen again to 6. It has remained above 6
all summer. In September 2001, just prior
to the new letting year, the list stands
at 10 excluding several existing
plot-holders who would like to rent an
additional plot.
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Waiting list restrictions
The
waiting list remains artificially low and
does not adequately reflect total latent
demand. The purpose of the waiting list is
to ensure that the site is fully let, this
being the best way to ensure that the land
is maintained in good condition. The
landlord has let it be known that new
applications for second plots will not be
accepted. It is a common practice on other
allotment sites that people are allowed to
rent 2 plots should they so wish, provided
the plots are well cultivated and normal
rent conditions (no commercial growing)
are met.
If
letting restrictions were lifted and
applicants had a reasonable chance of
getting a plot quickly, an advertising
campaign would lead to all the plots being
let. It is clear from the last 3 years
experience that the whole site could be
fully filled in a year or two. The only
impediment to this is the agreement of the
landlord.
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Tilehurst Allotments Society and
improvements to the remaining allotments
1998 - 2001
The
new society is vigorous and lively,
running work parties to improve the site
and install new water-points. Funds are
raised through sale of surplus produce at
the Reading Farmer’s Market.
£984 was raised from this source last
year, the main limitations being carrying
capacity and time taken to pick produce.
The cash raised has been used for car park
and track improvements, installing 5 taps
since 1999 so that all but 8 plots are now
within 30m of a tap. Currently the Society
has accrued savings of just under
£1900 for major future projects.
The
site is well used with little vandalism
since at most times of day people are
there working. Plot-holders are
predominantly retired and male, but women
and families are well represented. Members
of all sectors of society have plots and
are welcome.
The
limitations to the degree of
self-management are determined by the
landlord who decides what land may be let
and to whom. Effective working
relationships have been maintained in
spite of many differences. The Charity
have thanked the Society for the
transformation of the remaining allotments
.
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