Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
It’s allotment wars
She denies all the other allegations the committee has made against her.
“All these problems started about two years ago when I questioned why allotment rules were being allowed to be broken by a recent arrival and then I complained about poor management,” Mrs Parkin said.
“This culminated this year in me being served an eviction notice on trumped-up charges based on absolutely no evidence whatsoever. As I see it, I’ve not breached any clause of my tenancy agreement.
“I am a victim of totalitarianism on council property. It’s scandalous. I have complained to the council endlessly. They must become more involved, but they haven’t.”
Fellow plot holders have rallied to Mrs Parkin’s defence. Christine Eisenhuth said: “She is my nearest neighbour at the allotment and I have always found her pleasant, cheerful and generous. Her plot is one of the best-maintained, which isn’t a surprise with all the effort and work she is putting in it.
“She is always ready to give a hand, exchange tips, advice and seeds or plants. To me, she has exactly the spirit you would expect of someone you have on
‘I am a victim of totalitarianism on council property. It’s scandalous.’
an allotment. She produces more than she needs, so after sharing with her family and friends, she brings fruits and vegetables to a charity for homeless people in town. Why is the committee so prejudiced against her?”
Terry Ware, another plot holder, added: “We are horrified at this decision. This is a great injustice to Kathleen. She is a great asset to Victoria Park. Her knowledge and helpfulness is second to none. Her plot is a joy which she tends with TLC.”
And in a letter to Peter Whitcombe, the chairman of the St Dunstan’s Horticultural Society, Sam and Jess Sytsma added: “We believe that no substantial evidence has been given to justify eviction. She has a well-maintained and productive plot and has been a good neighbour to us and many others on the allotments.”
The committee has also received a letter from Gardner and Croft, the St Margaret’s Street solicitors, which is acting for Mrs Parkin. The firm says following a review of the documents sent to her that the committee has no legal right to demand she vacates her plot, adding that the committee’s activities risk exposing its members to potential legal action.
The SDHS is responsible for three allotments – Victoria Park, Mandeville Road and Whitehall Road. Its members pay yearly rents and membership fees to the committee, which in turn pays rent to the city council.
It had been due to have hold its annual meeting on February 1, but this was suddenly cancelled.
SDHS chairman Peter Whitcombe told the Gazette that the society is instructing it own solicitors and declined to comment further until their letter to Mrs Parkin’s solicitors was completed.
Mrs Parkin added: “As it stands, the attempt to evict me is not legal and I shall be continuing to use my allotment.”
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