I’m being kicked out because of row with my neighbours over fence – I did what all gardeners do, it’s ridiculous
A MAN who was kicked out because of a row with his neighbours over their fence has claimed he only did what every other gardener does.
John Silvester, 74, is being booted off his allotment of 28 years after propping up his tools against other tenants' fences.
Campbell Road Allotment Association has accused the pensioner of breaking a number of rules on the Stoke site.
And it is alleged that John also broke rule 14 with "verbal abuse" after being accused of swearing at others.
However, John is refusing to leave his plot despite being ordered to leave by May 15.
The 74-year-old has blasted accusations against him as "unfounded" and "unsubstantiated".
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John said: "The accusations are totally unfounded. I haven't got a clue what to do.
"They sent me a letter and I was under the impression that I would go in front of them to argue my case. That never happened. The council told me 'you're on your own' as it is a self-managed development.
"The accusations being made against me are frivolous and unsubstantiated.";
The retired maintenance worker, from Trent Vale, grows onions, beetroot, potatoes and broad beans on his plot.
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He continued: "I have gone 28 years at this plot without a complaint. They have accused me of doing damage, being abusive, and taking items from another allotment.
"I haven't. It is so silly. Twenty-eight years with nothing and now suddenly I am the bad guy. It is a full-time job for me. It keeps my mental health stable."
And the pensioner adds that his previous good character for over two decades should count for something against his eviction.
John continued: "I want a proper meeting, not a kangaroo court where the outcome is already decided. It is up to them what they do. I have done 28 years of work on that plot.
"Doesn't that count for anything? I have had no complaints. People will often stop and ask me what I'm doing. It is like they are trying to goad me out.
"The eviction date has been and gone but all my stuff is still there. I am trying to see if I can get the eviction date pushed further back. I was there for 28 years, it is like moving house.
"The garden is planted up, there are greenhouses there, and my subs are paid up until March next year. I am not hurting anybody. I have heard nothing from the council or the committee. They don't have any proof."
'SUICIDAL'
"I felt suicidal. It has been my life, it is like throwing me out of my own life. I am not a dangerous person, I do not know where they are getting this.
"I am a ratepayer, I am of good character, and suddenly I'm John Wayne wrecking everything. The fact is it feels like I have got no say in anything."
Two letters sent to John by the committee, which have been seen by StokeonTrentLive, outlined which rules were broken.
The first states: "The committee has been notified that, under rule 12, you have been causing damage to fencing by resting items against their fences from your side of the fence erected by the tenants.
"When their concern has been passed on to you, they have received verbal abuse from you, thus breaking rule 14. There are also claims, again from more than one tenant, that rule 17 has been broken, in that you removed items from their plots without their permission."
The eviction letter added: "We have informed Stoke-on-Trent City Council of our action and they agree that we have followed the correct procedure.
"Moreover, you have suffered a number of heart attacks and work on the property alone, often with your gate locked.
"The council agrees with us that this puts you at risk and it would be wise for you not to have an allotment with such health problems irrespective of the breaking of the rules and regulations."
'BROKE EVERY RULE'
Allotment site manager Terry Davies said that "rules are rules".
Mr Davies said: "The person in question broke every rule. We are a self-managed site. We have gone through all the procedures.
"He broke the rules and was swearing at people. We have gone to the council and it has all been done above board.
"We've got the rules for a reason and he broke them. We stand by our decision and rules are rules."
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Meanwhile, a council spokesman said: "The Campbell Road allotment is a self-managed allotment site. The allotments team has asked the committee which runs the site to meet with the plot-holder regarding the termination.
"The plot-holder has been informed of this. Due to the lease legalities associated with self-managed sites, Stoke-on-Trent City Council is unable to provide further comment."