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Allotments & Gardens Council UK
A WORD FROM THE REP
By Rick Heyse, PHG&AS member and Allotments & Gardens Council (UK), South West Regional Representative

Now some of you may know me and some of you may not, so for the benefit of those that don’t I’m the guy on the Derrell Road site that does a bit of showing and writes for Country Gardener magazine amongst others. I am also a former chairman and a co-founder of the Paignton Home Garden & Allotment Society. Being someone that is passionate about allotments, their preservation and promotion, I have been involved in the allotment movement nationally for a number of years, becoming South West Region Representative in March 2008.

ABOUT THE ALLOTMENTS & GARDENS COUNCIL (U.K)
The Allotments & Gardens Council (U.K) is the country’s second largest, but fastest growing national allotment organisation. Our affiliation costs are half the price of our main competitor, and our insurance scheme the most comprehensive and best value for money anywhere. On top of this the seed schemes we have on offer, the advice and assistance available and the legal help we have available is equal, and in some areas, better than our competitors.

Plotholders and allotment associations need a national allotment organisation and regional representative they can trust, knowing their interests are being looked after. The Allotments & Gardens Council (U.K) has a proven track record, with officers and regional representatives that actually care about allotments and the future of allotments throughout the country. We realise none of us actually own the allotments, but merely look after them for the next generation of plotholders. That is why the Allotments & Gardens Council (U.K) offers solid, sound advice, information and representation when you need it.

MY DUTIES AS SOUTH WEST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
The area I serve stretches from Lands End in the west to the Solent in the east and from the Lizard in the south to Glocestershire in the north. It is, as I have found out, a large and very diverse region.

My duties are to offer assistance and advice to allotment associations and individual members, to encourage membership of the Allotments & Gardens Council (U.K) and to do ‘exactly what is says on the tin’ by representing members in the south west region. This could involve representing an allotment association in dealings with a local authority or representing an individual plotholder in dealings with an allotment association. I am here to serve all.

If you have an allotment issue that you would like me to look into, please get in touch by phone or e-mail, or if I am on the allotment, at Plot 2 Derrell Road Allotments.

Good Gardening

Rick Heyse