Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi,

I enjoy going to my allotment, lots of peace and quiet and an occasional chinwag with friendly neighbours.

My nearest neighbour has never said a word in 2 years, ok, so not everyone is friendly so we just get on with gardening. But they have 2 kids who scream and shout and do whatever they want, this includes going in other peoples allotments. We told them off the other day for picking apples from someone else's plot.

Went down to the allotment last night to find a note on the greenhouse saying "sorry" and giving a plot number (the one with the kids). Opened the greenhouse to find a pane of glass in the roof smashed and lots of tomato and aubergine stems broke.

When I looked around the allotment other things had been disturbed such as the net around my swede has been unstaked.

I reported it to the secretary, who has had other complaints about them.

Am I wrong to want peace & quiet? Maybe I am being too intolerant as I don't have any kids of my own?

What are other peoples opinions on children on allotments? I'm all for children learning about veg but these kids are clearly not interested and the parents are ignoring them in favour of gardening.

Clareg

I have offspring and I don't think you are being intolerant. I would be mortified if Lauren or the boys did stuff like that on the allotments and I ended up getting complaints.
I would have their guts for garters too, and they know it

The kids do come to the allotment with me sometimes, or pop in if they are passing and see the car there.

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I'd rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

http://hollandsroadparadise.blogspot.com
updated 14 May 2008

www.bradleyroundtwo.blogspot.com

Personally I don't think there's anything wrong with kids on the lottie - I used to go down with my grandad when he was looking after me. However, thre is a problem with kids misbehaving and spoiling it for others. Their parents aren't being fair to you or to their kids, I mean if they don't show them how to behave how the hell are they meant to know?!? I don't really like being round groups of kids but if they're only making a bit of noise then I don't see it as a problem but it sounds like these are basically stealing and trespassing, even if they don't realise it. You did right to speak up but perhaps it would also be a good idea to speak to the parents, they may be oblivious to their kids' exploits, they obviously have some concept of responsibility otherwise they wouldn't have left the sorry note. Good luck sorting it all out!

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Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

nope your not grumpy
I would have gone loppy if anything was damaged on my plot by kids and I knew who it was.
I am expecting my first child and intend to take it to the plot as soon as I can BUT if its crying and making loads of noise and not get it to stop then I will go home, especially if I can see people working on a plots.
I go for peace and relaxing in the nice fresh air, kids making loads of noise would drive me crazy

Loz

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http://warmanallotment.blogspot.com/

I don't blame you one bit; you shouldn't worry about reporting them. I wonder how they'd feel if happened to them; I suspect they'd be far from happy.

Phil

People bring their kids down to our allotments the good thing is there is a childrens playground next to the site. Adults banned unless with a child.

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I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields

I think taking children to an allotment is a good thing, teaching them where food comes from, how to grow it and hopefully giving them a healthy hobby rather than hanging around on street corners. However, they do need to be taught how to behave, to respect other people's property and right to peace and quiet. I would be very cross in your position clareg - but think it's more the fault of the parents than the children, how are they supposed to learn correct behaviour if they don't learn it from their parents? There is a definite lack of respect in this country today (one of my hobby horses in case you hadn't noticed!) - I think you are right to complain. Why should you have to put up with other people's badly behaved children. I hope things get sorted out for you.

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Life may not be the party we hoped for but since we're here we might as well dance

Hi,

I never seem to be online when everyone else is! Cleared all the glass out the greenhouse, have a few green tomatoes from broken stems but hopefully they will ripen on the windowsill! The allotment neighbours weren't there last night, but I'll probably see them over the weekend.

I am glad they left a note, shows that they are responsible (or at the very least feel guilty) so we'll see what happens.

I agree with all the comments, quite happy to see kids at allotments learning about nature etc, but it's against our allotment rules to enter another persons allotment, I think that's whats bothered me most. I want to know that my veggies are safe when I leave them, its bad enough battling slugs and rabbits!

Clareg

Crikey me Claireg,
I'd be furious with these people, I know they left a note but the damage has alreay been done. The note didn't say if they were going to repair/replace the broken glass? It's such a difficult situation because in my experience if you try and approach the parents they tend to stick up for their kids, in my day I would have been made to apolgize to the person face to face then home for a telling off. I would ask the sectretary what was going to be done in light of the other complaints - it might put your mind at rest if you know something will be sorted. I take my kids often to the allotments and they behave really well, infact, other allotmenteers call them over, give them little jobs to do and they get strawberries and other goodies for helping. I never ever let my kids on other peoples allotments and keep a close eye on them. Good luck in resolving this matter,
best wishes
Eden

It's a case of the children being unsupervised though isn't it? Our kids came with us when we had a lottie and they were little. They knew that they didn't go on ANYONE ELSE'S allotment though and they never had anything they could have lobbed through a greenhouse window.
You are right to be angry and putting a little note saying 'sorry' is no help at all. I wish people would take real responsibility for their children.

__________________
Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 30th - Mr Stinky's Excellent Adventure (and a Christmas Cake)

Valid point Flummery. we have a "no kids unless under supervision" rule on our plot ( that being said there is one exception and he's about 12 ish and has a half plot of his own and puts us all to shame!!

If they were to cause seriious damage (say knacker up the site lawnmower) the parents would be liable or if they were to get injured they wouldn't have any recourse.

I think it is perfecty OK for you to want to go up there and not have hassle.

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Just as an after thought they won't keep going down there long Clareg. I asked my two if they would like to come down to the lottie with their Dad and I'd treat them to a bottle of pop & some crisps.....




I took that as a no

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

I'm all for kids on allotments! My grandchildren come with me and they are learning about gardening and growing. However, they are always kept on my plot, and are made aware that they are not allowed to wander around. No way do they go onto anyone else's plot. They do not throw things, either. I think the main problem is not the children, but the lack of supervision. I certainly think that plotholders who damage other people's property or allow their children or visitors to do so should at least be warned, and if no improvement then maybe their lease should be terminated.

I don't suppose any of us have the right to peace and quiet, but you normally find with lawnmowers, petrol hedgetrimmers, kids, fires etc. that yours are slightly less annoying than other peoples'. There is some headland at our site that where the children normally play and I often mow it for them. It always helps if they have a bit of land to work/play on. My young ones are still sometimes tediously noisy though!

I try to be both tolerant and considerate -which is a Zen character improving challenge for me as I was born cynical and grumpy. However, I think my elastic limit would be stretched if my crops or equipment were damaged. It is a serious responsibility to teach your children respect and whilst accidents happen, and a note shows admirable honesty- it is not enough; you should expect an offer to help fix the damage. You are definitely going to confront them and discover their real attitude now.

What I am trying to say is: You can not carry on having them interfere with other plots but I hope you will be able to start an improved relationship rather than descending to acrimony. I don't think getting cross and bickering or driving them off will teach the kids anything positive.

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Paul

What a difficult situation! This is the parents problem. No one thinks it acceptable if a puppy runs amok, it is accepted that the puppy must learn manners. The same holds good for children - including my own! - These children need guidelines and rules.

If I found my kids damaging other peoples gear or veg on their rare visits to the grandparents plot they would have hell to pay! Some form of restitution would be in order as decided by the 'victim', pocket money for the glass, a spell of weeding or watering. Something which is of use to the injured party and rubs home the problem they have caused. That is also might teach them something is a useful bonus!


Oh yeah - if they go on about the kids 'rights' to able to go where they choose - remind them that 'rights' have no legal definition! The correct terms are duties and privileges - for any privilege there is a duty - in this case a duty of care and respect for others.

Terry

Oooh...quite a tricky situation. Of course kids should be allowed on allotment sites but shouting, going on other peoples sites and vandalism is obviously not acceptable.

How about asking the supervisor to put a sign on the entrance gate that 'children are very welcome but need to be supervised and keep noise levels down'.

I always find that if you know the children, then you find their noise easier to deal with. Maybe the window breaking will give you a chance to get to speak to the children and get to know them a bit.

I wouldn't be surprised if the parents haven't already had a stern word to the children about the glass breaking and they are probably are a bit nervous about seeing you now.

SORRY TO HERE ABOUT YOUR TROUBLES
Kids should be allowed on to allotments and shown what we do as many children have not got a clue what an unprosessed veg looks like and these hopefully will be the next generation of plot holders.
No your not grumpy at the fact damage is been done to your propety , and these kids need to be kept on a leash and any damage you or other people suffer should be the responcability of the parents to punish and repair / replace said damage as it's there kids there responcability.
Good luck talking to the parents , because if that is what the kids are like then either the parents don't care or have given up trying to punish them and by the sound of it could be given up trying .
If you think i don't like kids then your wrong i've got 5 and i'm speaking from personal experiance when dealing with parents when kids are involved as all the thing that kept you in check as a child no longer work the police are almost power less with under 16's an they know it, social services are so over worked they havn't got time , and since ( tracy beaker ) has been on tv orphanages are now cool !
If commitee can not do anything and the parents will not listen then try do onto others as they do on to you first - and get everyone who has kids down there at once and tell them straight that if there kids go on one more plot then this lot will be going to town on there's.
Abit drastic but will get the point across , they only got 2 choices put kids on lease or leave.

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---) CARL (----
ILFRACOMBE
NORTH DEVON

a seed planted today makes a meal tomorrow!

www.freewebs.com/carlseawolf

now in blog form ! UPDATED 01 / 04 / 08

On our site nobody is allowed on another persons plot without their permission. In extreme cases eviction is sanctioned, however a quiet word often does the job.

Its one thing being noisey, its another causing damage to others property.

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Kindest regards, David.

http://pigletsplots.blogspot.com/
updated - Sunday 19th at 2100hrs

Hi,

Well, I've been at the allotment all day and no sign of our neighbours or their kids. Maybe they are feeling guilty! Never mind, we have replaced the glass and saved some of the tomatoes/aubergines. My dad did manage to cut his finger quite badly on a piece of glass so he is not best pleased!

Spoke to a member of the allotment committee, she has similar trouble at the other end of the allotments (its a big site, 127 plots), so the committee are going to write to everyone, reminding them about not going on other peoples plots and also to explain the dangers to children who are not supervised. I think this is a good way of saying "keep your kids on your own allotment"!

We had a nightmare day today though, everyone was up in arms and furious. The childrens football league is across the road and parents think its ok to park in front of our allotment gates instead of using the footballers car park (its closer to walk). So despite the sign, no one could get to the allotments by car. A not so polite note was left on their car. Believe me when 127 allotment owners (ok, maybe there weren't that many, but there could have been) are angry its a site to be seen!

Clareg

Totally in agreement TPeers, however I would phrase it "yes you have rights, but you also have responsibilities". The two are interconnected, and you cannot have one without the other.