Pilfering and the prevalent custom of private householders of depositing rubbish on their dumping grounds are the chief grouse of 1,487 Rushden allotment holders according to the opinions aired at the annual meeting of the Society in the B.W.T.A. Hall last week.

“We are not only losing vegetables but tools from the huts,” said one member.

“Something has to be done with people taking advantage of these dumping grounds,” said another, “It is a job for the Police.”

“We are wanting in the name of the Association if we do not stop this wilful destruction,” was another opinion, the same person adding that notice boards were broken down shortly after erection.

The President (Mr. C. S. Wooding), said it was a disgrace in all the fields and they very much deplored the fact. Nothing could be done, however, unless concrete evidence and the names of the offenders were obtained. The Society would back anyone in bringing the culprits to justice.

Tenure

A question was asked regarding the advisability of allotments being owned by the holders so that “the Urban Council would not have the power to kick us out.”

Mr. S. Sharp (vice-president) said they were reticent to carry out the idea. They hoped to get security of tenure in due course and there were always difficulties in selling out to plot holders.

A committee member said some examples had already been seen. A plot was offered for sale; the holder refused to buy and a building contractor stepped and made the purchase. The ground was then lost completely for allotment purposes. Security of tenure would solve the whole problem.

There was a protest from the meeting against the judging in the County Federation Prize scheme which last year took place in the third week of July. “It is not fair,” cried one, “It should either be in the last week in June or the first week in July when a garden is at its best, or not at all.”

Private Plots

An opposition was made to prize giving. The member said that if prizes were going to be awarded they should be extended to private holders, not confined to allotment holders only, as long as the owner was a member of the Society.

It was put to the meeting that private plots should be judged as well as allotment grounds and this was carried in a vote.

There was a further protest about the Society’s own prize money – which amounts to £9 15s. – and the comment was made: “It is time we lashed out a bit.”

Mr. Wooding appealed to all allotment holders to get on with the job of growing food this year and help the country. He referred to the five-day week and said: “Let us make Saturday morning allotment morning.”

Mr. Wooding also spoke of how Rushden was growing and of their grounds being surrounded by housing estates. He said they would always try and keep their fields, for what better recreational open spaces could there be than their allotments? The Society would, however, be only too pleased to co-operate with people on the new housing estates and make plots available wherever possible.

Record

The committee report showed that the depot above the football ground was now complete. Orders already taken for Scotch seed potatoes had reached record figures. There were general price increases made by the Ministry of Food.

One member said the thought the potatoes should be de-subsidised and sold to them at the same rate as for farmers.

The revenue account showed payments including £363 for potatoes, lime, fertilisers, repairs and renewals, etc.: £78 income tax. Receipts included £246 from rents and fines. The net profit on the year was £141 and among the liabilities was a balance of £3,884 on the profit and loss account.

Officers were elected as follows: president, Mr. C. S. Wooding; vice-president, Mr. S. Sharp; auditor, Mr. T. F. Chater; committee, Messrs. Wooding, Sharp. P. Attley, G. Ward, G. Tebbutt, E. Martin, T. Furness, A. Perkins, S. Smith, A. H. Dickens, and G. Ross.

Mr. H. G. Toby (secretary) presided at the meeting with the president and vice-president.