panda
you really should get out more!
the shed came second in a national competition, and has been featured on TV and Radio.
I have been privileged to see photo's of the construction, and of the interior. It's a well made shed, mostly from reclaimed / recycled products.

the sheds your mummy buys from homebase are not actually fit for purpose (as an allotment shed) but probably OK as a play-pen for you, or somewhere to keep your toys in.

OK, far be it for me to decide how things should be, but currently a number of people are allowing panda to ruin the thread. Of course, there could be a few people here that are happy to see that happen.

That is enough from me on this.

I can't say I support deparishing completely. I'm all for devolving services, but I'm not sure getting rid of the Parish completely is a good thing. Just my personal opinion.

Personally I think having a whole load of trumped up Margo Leadbetters running anything they could get their hands on would be great.

Andy, as you realise, you are not forum manager, so I/we can reply to whoever/whenever we want to. I don't normally feed trolls but 'ya know what I was bored and it was entertaining, and I may well feed the panda again, but it is not to 'annoy' YOU

Just what use are they if they are not representing the taxpayer? I do not know how many allotmenteers are, or would, support self management if all the facts were known? But if the savings for the taxpayer are what are estimated then why are the council not all for it? Just look at the cost of running NTC what do the taxpayer get for this? Do we deserve to let a council like this survive when they treat a tenant in this way? To evict a tenant for explaining the law to them and pointing out they have not followed procedure to raise rents is totally wrong.

Simon may not be the most polite person when it comes to explaining the grievances he has with NTC but that is no excuse for what they are doing to him now.

I would love to see Simon and people with a genuine interest in local issues on the town council. I agree that allotments could be self managed if there was demand, and I agree that the xmas lights could be farmed out too. But there would still be the need for a parish functionality of some kind. The best way to force change is by standing up and trying to help make it happen by getting elected.

Simon, you have my support with allotments, and as you know I'm happy to sit down with you at any point to help put together a strong proposal to put forward tothe council. I just don't feel that I can support complete de-parishing.

Post error.

Holy Mackrel - a Post I agree with 100%. Well, the bit above.

Xmas lights used to be in house & done each year by NTC's own electrician. Now they are contracted out.

It's a miracle!!

Point well made Richard, and as it happens I do agree.

I believe more in parish councils than any other branch of the state, and I especially believe in their central role in community life, empowering, energising, and enabling. It's the damndest thing but I've always believed that a parish council with it's democratic machinery and statutory accountability is actually a safer pair of hands to hold the allotment service than a fully devolved service.

The problem is that Newbury Town Council is out of control and that does limit the options. I don't want to see Newbury de-parished, but I do want to see it behaving legitimately, and I don't see the current regeime making that choice for themselves.

I do them to order.

Just spotted that - must have missed it!

Very good

(PS Thought you were in retirement?)

He will never be in retirement! Iommi and others live for this forum....

How do I get one?

Do you think he's come back as another alias?

Oh proberly, everyone else seems to be..........

There's only one of me.

Yes I know - Thank goodness most will say!

[quote name='Biker1' date='Feb 23 2011, 11:26 PM' post='36009']
There's only one of me.

Yes I know - Thank goodness most will say!
[/quot
Me too, all this pretending to be other people s h i t is becming boring I still say lets all meet up for a serious debate....in the pub!

I couldn't afford the rounds with you!