Allotments ........the politics!!

[Earthymama]

We decided to get an allotment for some peace and quiet and so far it's been brill!!
At first no-one there thought we could do it as the plot had been a dumping ground and took ages to sort but last summer we had loads of veg and lots of fun.

We've been accepted this year as part of the gang and got lots of onion sets, plants that needed dividing, extra seedlings etc etc.

BUT there's a war going on between the committee members and they all come to tell us about it. It's very funny and causes us much amusement.

The bit I don't like is the 'bloody women' bit; historically the plots were the domain of men's men. lots of corrugated iron and weedkiller. In recent years some women have taken plots and it's all much prettier.

So you would think I'd be firmly with the women,BUT one is really moody and either cuts you dead in the street or is your best mate, and the other is a control freak!!

So far we've just kept our heads down and I guess we'll just continue to do so, but does any one else get all this, and not the idyll of tranquility they'd dreamed of?

You need to rent Grow Your Own on DVD.

here

lol - you have to tread carefully.

I was reading something in my Mums local paper about a massive argument that had erupted amongst their allotment group over the shocking suggestion by a newcomer that ....brace yourselves.....they wanted a shed on their plot .

It was big news in the local rag, it involved the town council, the planning dept, allotment stalwarts etc. All getting and outspoken.

Anyone would think the newcomer had asked to build a lap-dancing club next to the carrot and leek beds!

Ha yes! On one side we have 'Mr knowitall' who did a course at college and likes to point out what we are doing wrong. My mum (who shares the allotment with me) was brought up helping to run a proper smallholding and has had allotments on and off for years so she just ignores him and carries on in her own sweet way .
On the other side we have the complete opposite, a lovely but rather dreamy lady who has her plot as a little garden complete with a lawn and shrubs. Good job we are in between them to prevent any clashes!
We also have the obligatory 90 year old cloth-capped fount of all knowledge. Can't have an allotment without one! (he's lovely though).

Oh definitely! get the tales of woe from both sides of the divide - I try to keep my head down and stay out of it but it isn't easy!