The News Page carries a statement encouraging allotment holders to continue to pay their subscriptions to FEDAGA and their Site Associations. Why the need for this?

Since the dawn of time, Edinburgh’s allotment holders have enjoyed the opportunity to pay these subscriptions directly to the Council along with their annual rent. The money eventually makes its way to FEDAGA and the local associations. This makes huge good sense as the hassle is minimised and a healthy cash flow is maintained without some poor soul having to spend their days going around the site chasing up payments.

Of course, in common with many features of the Modern Era, this cannot be allowed to stand. You must have a choice: pay your subscriptions, or don’t pay your subscriptions! This way lies progress. 

If a bureaucracy cannot support within its corridors a phalanx of financial advisors armed with a sheaf of ludicrous suggestions designed to upturn apple carts and provoke unrest, then surely it cannot be allowed to continue.

So, last year the Council advised FEDAGA that it would be providing allotment holders with the opportunity of not paying their subscriptions, thereby kicking democratically accountable representative activity where it hurts - in the purse. Result: Bean Counters 1 - Downtrodden Proletariat 0.   

Your Secretary has written an epistle which was intended to go out with the invoices to remind everyone what a great deal they are getting by remaining as members. Unfortunately this will not be possible - as the invoice service has been privatised and cannot be accessed by the Council. It will be e-mailed out instead to that two thirds of the community that the Council has details of.

The other side of the coin regarding collection of subscriptions is communication. As FEDAGA is reliant on the Council for collection of subscriptions it does not know who it’s members are, or have the means of contacting them apart from the Site Noticeboard.

Data Protection prohibits the Council sharing such details without express permission, which is fair enough. FEDAGA has created a database of nearly half of the total membership through voluntary registration. That’s how the Newsletter gets into your inbox.

However, this is a handicap that has been variously described as “ludicrous” and “ridiculous” amongst other things. But bear in mind that the sums of money are scant and these organisations are entirely voluntary. The number of volunteers is small. In fact, on many sites the number of volunteers is around zero. It is not realistic to expect these people (assuming they exist) to spend their time administering membership records and chasing up payments.
Members get a great deal from the existence of FEDAGA and their Site Associations. Trading Schemes alone provide for the return of the entry fee in spades. Then there’s the fun of the Allotment Show and the thrills of the Heritage Potato Trials. Having a local network means that problems can be addressed quickly. Liaison with Council and Government is possible via FEDAGA and SAGS. Site closures have been reversed and protection and expansion is now in prospect through legislation that your representatives have had a say on.

If you’re reading this and haven’t signed up for the Newsletter, please do so now. Also, consider getting more actively involved in supporting your Site Association. And please make sure you continue to pay your subs.​

“The Ancient Briton” (in a personal capacity).

RAINBOW lover Valeska Andrews has found her pot of gold. She counts the nuggets constantly.   “Every day I say thank you,” she says. 
 
A townie to her toes, with 22 years and still counting inner-city living in the heart of the Grassmarket helter-skelter, it’s her beautiful blue shed, not only her haven, but her thinking, planning, creating, growing and storing space in her Midmar Shangri-la that lights up this woman’s life.  On a jaunty little blackboard just inside the door she has chalked ‘Welcome to Paradise’.

“I waited eight years for a plot on this site,” says self-employed massage therapist Valeska as she boils the kettle for our Sunday coffee cup, “And still I know that I am very fortunate indeed.  When I cycle from my home, unlock the shed door and prepare for a day’s gardening, it’s as if I have arrived in another world.” 

While Valeska can keep up a good conversation about the bountiful berry fruits on her plot, the asparagus, broad beans and artichokes, it’s her concern for how her fellow citizens cope with stress that really enlivens her.  “I’m concerned for anyone feeling excessive stress and distress due to a lack of connection with themselves and the natural world,” she says.  “We need to think much more about how this kind of life, outdoor living, can help to alleviate the stresses that all of us routinely deal with in daily life.”
 
However, Valeska’s shed is possible because right from the start (early 1900s) it was a given that Midmar offered a plot that came with shed and/or greenhouse permissions.  Today, in the light of security concerns, space issues and good neighbour considerations, City of Edinburgh Council has reconsidered such approvals.

RECENT newly-established sites are currently set up on a no-sheds basis, with communal storage areas within central lock-ups offered as the alternative.  Dumbryden has recently had conversions done to two on-site containers.  They offer tool storage in bays for each plotholder.  Vice-Chair Rena Linton highlights these below.
 
Head of Parks, Gardens and Green Spaces in Edinburgh David Jamieson knows that this changes the quality of the plot-holder experience.  Does he question that this would necessarily be in a negative way?
 
 “Not necessarily,” he says. “There are many examples of where a communal hut or store has helped create a sense of collectivism and neighbourliness amongst plot holders. Given the amount of space that individual huts take up it usually also makes sense to maximise the available growing area at an allotment site by providing a single central facility rather than myriad individual sheds.
 
“In some locations these come in the form of converted existing buildings (e.g. Victoria Park), and at other sites by creating secure new facilities (e.g. Dumbryden). Occasionally resources allow plot-holders to really push the design boat out, as seen at the stunning and innovative India Place allotments.
 
These new ideas create a range of alternatives to the shed at the bottom of the plot.  But for those sites already dotted with structures of all shapes and sizes, in various states of usefulness and repair, challenges present in a different way. 
 
At Inverleith, rabbits have had a field day creating under-floor burrows.  From these safe havens, they decimate leeks, carrots and spring greens.  Site Chair Stuart McKenzie says: “The key issue is that sheds need to be well maintained and set on a good slabbed base.  If not, they can cause nuisance to your neighbour’s plot. The problem is actually exacerbated by halving plots, which tends to double the number of sheds at a site."
 
A shed or no shed at the bottom of the plot. What’s it to be?  Times are changing, green space is highly prized, and numerous sheds in a small space don’t seem to match the current trends. 
 
But then  . . . there’s that pot of gold . . . don’t we all hanker after it just a little?     

First, he talked about his v…e…r…y     l.. .o.. .n.. .g  association with FEDAGA:
 
“I first went along to a FEDAGA meeting in the early 1990s. It's proof of the benefits of allotmenting that a few of the people I met then are still around today.  It is my experience that the sites who engage with us do benefit,  educationally, socially, and even financially.
   
We asked: “When and why did you apply for a plot?  Stuart said:  “My local greengrocer only stocked one variety of potato and he wouldn't even consider getting others. So I got a plot and grew my own.  I have found that the greatest benefit is enjoying fresh vegetables that you know are well grown. 

“A friend’s father grew seed potatoes on his farm, so I grew rare varieties he supplied.  I’m still doing that now thanks to the SASA Potato club. I got my first plot in 1988.  That’s 28 years. Blimey!

We asked:  Do you hold a post on your own site?  Stuart said:  “Yes, I have been President of Inverleith Allotments since 2009. I went away on holiday, missed the AGM and was nominated in my absence. There's a great community spirit amongst the committee there; hands-on, can-do approach to everything. Fantastic people.”

We asked:  What are your aspirations for us as committee members: 

Stuart said:  “Having an allotment is supposed to provide healthy food, fresh air, exercise and mental stimulation. Let's maximise those aspects and not get hung up on substandard plots and waiting lists, these are the Councils' responsibilities.

“OK, if they fail, then sites must try to put them right, but let's assume there will be problems, and help manage them in partnership with the Allotment Service.

“We know conflict doesn't work, so let's try co-operation.”

THIS is the newly appointed FEDAGA committee for 2016/17.  These allotment plot holders from sites across Edinburgh were nominated and accepted at the AGM held on October 25th at the Southside Community Centre. 
 
In his first presentation as the incoming Chair, Stuart McKenzie (centre back row sixth from the left) laid out some guidelines that he hopes the committee will be able to emphasize successfully in the coming year. 
 
You can read his summary of that presentation, called ‘Future Directions’, below.  A series of profiles of these committee members will follow in the near future, and you can read the first of these here also.    

FEDAGA future directions

To reinerate the objectives of the Federation:-
a. The co-ordination of Allotment and Garden Associations and their work in all its branches.
b. The protection of their interests (especially of their security of tenure in the case of Allotments Associations).
c. The improvement of their conditions.
d. To stimulate interest in and to encourage a commitment towards horticulture in allotments and gardens.
e. To purchase, on a co-operative basis, supplies for the use of the members of the Federation.

We will therefore…­­­

Provide help and advice to all associations on request using the previous experiences of our membership. We will not deal directly with CEC. Sites will be encouraged to do so, via Councillors as necessary.

Strategy for future of allotments will be discussed with CEC as required. More involvement from more site reps will be sought to enable a broader influence.

Add interest to allotment growing via initiatives such as SASA potato partnership, visits to shows, visits to places of interest, social events, our show

Negotiate bulk purchasing opportunities; e.g. seeds, potatoes and onions. Machinery?

Distribute a monthly newsletter, website, blog - Beyond the notice board…interesting/stimulating.

Explore how we reinstate the CEC/Plotholder Forum to allow plotholders a voice with the Allotment Service.

Recognise that we will always have substandard plots on sites but concentrate efforts to minimise impact on neighbouring plots by actions through site committees; clear ups, pest proofing etc.

Invite the Allotment Officer back to meetings, treat him with respect.

Stop complaining about rents, we live with what we’re charged but get the best value we can.

We will not…

Confront the Allotment service, it simply doesn’t work. Far better site reps/councillors.

Concern ourselves with new allotment site provision other than offering advice to groups wanting to establish new sites as part of the Community Empowerment Act. New sites will become members as they wish to enjoy the benefits I’ve outlined.