Finally legal

It seems hard to believe it was almost a year ago we were told our allotment site was finally going ahead, (after a 4 year campaign) the farmer had agreed verbally with the council and we only had to wait for the leases between landowner and council, then council and allotment society. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since that heady feeling of anticipation and excitement. The landowner granted us pre-entry rights in May, when it became obvious that the site, which he had ploughed in October, and then cultivated in March, ran the risk of sinking under the weight of burgeoning weeds. It is thanks to this generosity that so many plotholders have been picking produce throughout the summer, and getting their plots organised, with paths, sheds, compost bins and water butts. This has caused a few problems, as people did tend to go their own way in some areas, as no tenancy agreements were signed. However none of these are insurmountable, and were genuine misunderstandings.

The allotment society itself has undergone a lot of change, only 2 of our original society still remain, and several decided against taking on a plot after all, but they all worked extremely hard to realise a dream of local allotments for local people.

I have posted occasionally in the past, commenting on our progress, and yes, sometimes it seemed we would never get there, but we have. So any of you out there involved in a similar battle, don't give up, victory could still be in your grasp.

Tonight, what came through my door? A tenancy agreement for my plot, (and a request for the rent ) to start on 1/9/2011 It is a great feeling to know we are finally 'legal', and I just want to pay tribute to all those involved in getting the Iwade Allotments up and running.

I'm now off to start planning my plot for the next season.