John Weston's Allotment ...youtube.com/imageofreality

Talking. John Weston showing whats growing on his allotment. He had just had an inspection by the relevant council officer and three other people ( some or all of whom were also allotment tenants) and been told he must give up half of his allotment because he is not growing enough crops. He had been served with a notice to quit his entire allotment but after coverage in the local and national press the council arranged a compromise. Mr Weston has been renting the allotment for twenty years. Comments on the online versions of the press articles either support Mr Westons right to do what he likes within reason with his allotment or follow the petty-fascist line that he should operate his allotment the way they do, because...well...they are right and people must do as they say. Many allotments neighbouring Mr Westons are fairly overgrown (though not all) so the argument about weeds spreading is not as pertinent as it might be. The "reasonable" view that there is a waiting list of people wanting to grow vegetables and so those not cultivating so intensively should be pushed aside misses a simple point: that they are dictating what someone else should grow on their own rented land. Mr Weston has treated his allotment as a haven for himself and wildlife while also growing food on patches dotted around the allotment. It is a very pleasant place to visit. As ever, some comments in the media by those seeking to justify the eviction of Mr Weston are false, which is usually the case with those who wish to impose on others. Although having the appearance of a minor human interest story, when separated from the stereotypes that it can fall into on first glance (eg "local authority bashing") Mr Weston makes some serious points about the authorities selling off much needed public land in the face of much opposition, and somehow getting away with it. Much allotment land has been sold off in Cheltenham (Mr Weston quotes 75%) along with school playing fields and anything else that bolsters the Councils balance sheets. While it is rightly pointed out that many officials may be doing an efficient job the policies they are enacting are often contrary to the greater public good. The Gloucestershire Echo article and comments is at http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Thyme-garden/article-1019756-deta...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• John
• Weston
• eviction
• allotment
• local
• democracy
• development
• town
• planning
• Gloucestershire
• Echo
• Cheltenham
• council
• yt:stretch=16:9

[powerspade]

Its a tip

[imageofreality]

Mr Westons allotment has a run down shed and a small cloche/glasshouse type thing. To find the minimal amount of other material stacked against his shed would probably involve being on his plot. It would be better for all if those who want fastidiously tidy allotments cultivate their plots accordingly, and allow others do as they wish with theirs. Usually, those keen on telling others how they should run their lives are not interested in what is good for all, but only in their own views.

[RuthKBond]

I was ganged up on for being "scruffy". (Wildflowers protecting fruit and encouraging bees, comfrey/nettles for butterflies and fertiliser, companion planting, frogs for eating the slugs etc,raised beds, all described as "scruffy" by fellow allotmenteers. They use the field system (completely empty earth from edge to edge when not in season, rigid rows of produce when it is). I was forced to comply or be kicked off. No other home for my chickens, so I complied. Free Country?

[eatsoupwithafork]

Nothing a strimmer and a large fork couldn't put right...