One family's fight to stop 'bizarre' council decision over allotment plot

When Helen Fallon, 40, lost her partner Neil last year his allotment was a 'nice peaceful place' for her and her family. None of them expected that the council would be able to take it from them.

Neil, who was a power station worker, passed away last September, and throughout his cancer treatment Helen and her two sons Michael, 19, and Declan, 7, helped keep the plot maintained. They fed the chickens, helped grow vegetables and clean the greenhouse and plot. Now, the boys and their mum would 'love to keep the plot' that was cherished so much by Neil.

All of the family were involved with the plot, including Neil's sister, niece and nephew who came from Yorkshire to help put upthe green house. When they came to visit they knew the allotment was where they would find him.

Helen said: "It's a great way of living and a getaway from everything. People who had plots would come and have a cup of tea with him. It's a life skill."

When Helen got in contact with the council over payment of the plot in December she realised the decision of Manchester City Council to take the plot away from the family, through a family member on Boxing day. She was 'never officially told' about the loss of the plot until January. When a letter was sent with details concerning the plot, no information about getting in contact with the council was included.

"On Christmas Eve I had put a note through the allotment letter box with my phone number asking Julie Reid (a councillor for Manchester City Council) to give me a call. She didn't reply until 9th of January and said I was lucky to get a call at all as slugs had eaten half of the note." Helen added.

She told Helen she would get a call that day from Richard Dudley, who also works for the council. But