STRICT rules were in place for anyone who had an allotment.

Woe betide anyone who worked there on a Sunday, left the gates open or did not manure their plot annually.

Aston and Cote Parish Council, near Witney, showed no mercy for those who broke the regulations.

A list of the rules has been sent in by Phyllis Hicks, of Heyford Close, Standlake.

She writes: “My brother, Henry Howell, of Aston, gave it to me. He thinks it dates from 1931.

“He has had a plot there for many years, but he has been unable to find out how much they cost to rent then.”

The list read:

1. No occupier shall underlet any part of his allotment without the consent of the trustees, nor trespass on another’s land, nor remove any of the landmarks.

2. No person shall take any dog on to the allotments, unless the animal is attached to a lead and kept under proper control.

3. Every occupier shall properly manure his allotment yearly.

4. No person shall work on his land on a Sunday.

5. Any occupier who shall be detected in poaching, or be guilty of felony or stealing, shall vacate the land he occupies, and forfeit the crops growing thereon.

6. The occupiers shall not cut or prune the hedges or fences without consent.

7. The land to be taken tax free, at the respective rents agreed upon by the trustees, from the 29th of September in every year; but the rent to be due and recoverable on the last day of July. Any occupier of any allotment not having paid his rent on the last day of July in any year, and failing to pay the same by the 15th of August, shall thereby forfeit his allotment.

8. The land shall be given up to the trustees on the 29th of September in each year, without notice to quit or quitting, and the trustees shall be at liberty to take possession on the 29th of September in each year, without having recourse to law, or being considered trespassers; and the renewal of the letting will principally depend on good conduct and management and the observance and performance of these rules.

9. Any occupier detected leaving the gates of the allotment fields open shall forfeit sixpence for each offence.

10. If any dispute arises between any of the occupiers, the matter shall be referred to the trustees, against whose decision there shall be no appeal.