News / protest
Allotmenteers march through Bristol
Flamboyantly dressed allotment holders returned to the streets of Bristol to continue their fight against price hikes proposed by Bristol City Council.
One protester was dressed as a turnip with others wearing flower headdresses as they paraded from Castle Park to College Green.
The group’s aim is to force the council to rethink its plans to increase fees for plots across Bristol. This is due to a growing backlog of repairs and years without rent increases leaving the allotment service struggling to make ends meet.
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While the council scrapped controversial changes to allotment rules after public outcry, rents for the 4,500 allotment plots in Bristol are still set to have massive increases staggered over two years.
One protester told Bristol24/7 the hikes will swallow “a big chunk of our wages” and called for “more reasonable” increases.
Tamara Evans Braun told Bristol24/7 her passion for food growing initially inspired her to jin the campaign – photo: Betty Woolerton
Tamara Evans Braun said she uses her allotment in Speedwell to teach her son about where food comes from and as a way to reduce her carbon footprint, as well as helping her cope with mental health issues.”
Speaking about the increases, Evans Braun said: “It’s just a massive hike in price.”
“My husband is a nurse in A&E and I’m self-employed so it’s a big chunk of our wages. We are lucky enough that we can just about continue but I’m worried about people on our site who won’t be able to.”
“I understand that the council has like no money and that rents do need to go up but an inflationary or smaller rise would be way more reasonable.”
“Leetuce grow” was the message from one protester at Sunday’s march – photo: Betty Woolerton
About the impact of his plot in Ashley Vale in St Werburgh’s, Jim, who preferred to not give his surname, said: “We believe that the growing is the right for everyone and yet the city council can’t seem to see that.”
“My allotment is so good for me, mentally. I had a bit of a meltdown a couple of years ago and it literally saved me. The community down there as well is incredibly helpful and supportive.”
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The allotment service was hit hard by austerity and government spending cuts, councillors on the communities scrutiny commission were told on February 27.
Jon James, head of natural and marine environment at the council, said: “We’ve had maintenance and staffing budgets reduced. That’s resulted in a decline in what we can actually do. We’ve looked at what investment we need to make so that we can start improving and addressing the backlog of maintenance, like repairs to water supply and fences.”
“We’re currently just responding to effectively emergency work. We’re not in a position where we can proactively manage our sites. That’s what we want to focus the income on, so we can start a programme of work addressing that.”
Growers recently installed a billboard in St Werburgh’s highlighting their campaign against price hikes – photo: Rob Browne
The growing organisation of allotmenteers was welcomed by the Labour councillor for Hillfields Ellie King, who is also cabinet member for public health and communities, who said: “Mobilising activism is something that we should be proud of and encouraging.
“What could that group achieve collectively? I think it’s exciting to have a new group that’s formed with this collective aim.”
There are 4,500 allotment plots in Bristol and the council has not increased the rent since 2018 – photo: Mia Vines Booth
The rent increases are likely to be approved by the cabinet during a public meeting on Tuesday.
Cabinet reports gave details of how much the fees will increase per size of the plot.
Rent for a medium-size plot with water will increase from £70 to £113 next year, and then £156 in 2026.
A small plot will increase from £50 to £69 and then £89. A large plot will increase from £85 to £117 and then £178.
New discounts will be offered including for people on low incomes, or with plots that flood or are overgrown.
Main photo & video: Betty Woolerton
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