Allotment ownership … cultivation of vegetables and flowers, chats with neighbours, an outdoor pursuit providing a peaceful and healthy way of spending time? Unfortunately, not at the moment, if you happen to be in the Love Lane site.
Allotment holders there have recently been subjected to a sustained, and increasing, period of intimidation from some students at Rye College. What should be a safe and secure environment, often enjoyed by older people, has become a place where gardeners fear to come without locking themselves in securely.
Over the last few days, a group of young boys have taken to entering the allotment area and subjecting individuals to verbal abuse, frightening those trying to follow their harmless pursuit. Separately, a group of older girls have entered the facility and, despite remonstration, used equipment such as wheelbarrows to “play”. At the suggestion of the school, some allotment holders took the opportunity to photograph some of the offenders … but this resulted in actual physical intimidation and demands to hand over one of the phones involved. One girl even accused a holder of assaulting one of the boys … not something that can be ignored.
The school and the police have been informed, with both expressing high levels of concern and have promised that action will be taken to halt this unacceptable behaviour. Meetings are currently being arranged to discuss the situation with all concerned.
The Love Lane allotments are leased from Rother District Council and managed by the Rye Amenity CIC, though this responsibility will transfer to Rye Town Council later this year. While always suffering from petty pilfering, issues have escalated since the system of locking the allotment gates was terminated by the CIC in 2022. This happened despite concerns being raised by the allotment holders through their chair, Nigel Jennings, that this could cause problems. Locks were unilaterally removed, and it has proved impossible to agree a system to ensure the security and safety of the allotments and their users.
This impasse has resulted in increased access of the area by a variety of non-allotment holders, culminating in the latest acts of intimidation by the students. Some holders now fear to come and tend their plots, certainly during the afternoon when the school closes.
Now, to address their feelings of insecurity, allotment holders are reduced to locking themselves in during the day … surely this is not something that should be happening in Rye? It can only be hoped that all involved will ensure that such unacceptable intimidation will be stopped immediately, and a long-term solution put in place to allow allotment holders to pursue their hobby in peace.
