Hello from Wirral

[transitionallotments]

Hi, my name is Margaret and I live in West Kirby. Our town is noted, (amongst other things) for its lenghty allotment waiting lists - 62 plots and currently 217 names on waiting lists. Still, we're developing quite a community of people interested in GYO through our local Transition Town initiative and hope to be soon setting up a group to look at other options - in addition to harrying the Council!

[Shirley]

Hello Margaret

Welcome aboard.

That's a long waiting list!

[ina]

Hiya Margaret, and welcome!

Keep bothering the council - don't they have to provide allotments if there are that many who want them?

[shell]

hi margaret,greetings from kerry,

[StripyPixieSocks]

Hello!

Wow, that's some wait for an allotment, keep pestering the Council you'll get there eventually!

[stokeygrower]

Hi Margaret. I share your frustration - in Hackney the waiting list is over 300, and has now been closed. I'm lucky cos i share a plot with my neighbour, but have had to wait 3 years to get to number 7 on the list. "Under the 1908 Small Holdings and Allotments Act, where there is demand, it is the duty of the local authority to provide residents, registered on the electoral roll, with allotment space. The Act even gives local authorities the power to compulsorily acquire land for allotments, if they don't have sufficient already." This Act doesn't apply in London, but it does to you, and you could quote it in trying to put pressure on your Council (sorry you may know this already).

Someone I know in another part of London has put together a really creative idea for setting up a community garden, using some Council owned property that's due for renovation, and it looks like it might get through. As his plan benefits the community rather than lots of private individuals, he can access grants and raise some funds for it. Could be worth looking at other successful community projects around the UK for ideas? Good luck.

[Rosendula]

Hi

[Millymollymandy]

Hello and welcome!

[hedgewitch]

[sleepyowl]

hello

[transitionallotments]

Thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome, and for all the helpful suggestions.

We have been campaigning with some success, and have tried to put together a page with useful downloads etc for others to use - http://www.transitiontownwestkirby.org. ... tments.htm

Should there be a single web page where people can bring together news from community gardens - sharing practical steps, start-up advice, funding etc? It definitely seems to be the way forward and it's a shame that so many groups up and down the country are having to struggle with reinventing the wheel.

[Barry]

Hello and Welcome

[hamster]

Hello!

[Rosendula]

Hello

[Rosendula]

Hello

Oops! Said hello twice.