My name is Jane and I have had an allotment here (in the annexe) for about 15 years. I am also a member of the Committee that is responsible for running the site.
Next Sunday 30th August at 10am we will be having our socially distanced, AGM. This is your opportunity to find out about important changes to the way in which the allotments are managed. It is also your opportunity to get involved with the running of the organisation and to show your support for the people who, voluntarily, put in many hours of work to keep things going. Dave, Mark and John, in particular, have been working extremely hard this year as they have taken over new roles on the Committee during a difficult period.
Many of you will be aware that the Council are pushing us to take on a new lease and management agreement. There are 2 realistic options, which, put crudely, come down to:
- We take on the new lease and management agreement and retain a large degree of control over our rents and how the site develops or
- We become a direct let set of allotments where the starting price for rentals is 46p per sq.m. And this will increase by 8p per sq.m each year. (Currently we are paying 13p rental).
As I said, this is a bit crude as there are other things involved, BUT the key thing is, if we don’t get more support from plot holders, then we will not have a Committee (at least 4 people have given up already as they have become frustrated with the lack of support and occasional downright antagonism) and then our rents will go up – massively!
So, please come to the AGM. Confirm that you will be attending so we can ensure we can meet safely. If you can’t come, let us know whether you’d be prepared to get involved. Bring sanitiser etc. and remember we are meeting outdoors in the main car park.
Old Park Farm Garden Holders Association 