Earlier this week we saw many households across the country observe darkness in remembrance and reflection of World War I.
Britain declared war on Germany and the repercussions to those on the fields and those left at home were vast. One thing I didn’t know was that this and the food shortages that followed sparked the creation of the local authority allotments that we know today.
OUr simple red, white and blur tribute
These havens provided not only food but respite and little has changed in that respect. They provide food – OK it may be a bit small compared to what we are used to seeing in the supermarket or perhaps mis-shapen or gnarly every now and then, but the abundance of produce I’ve had from my allotment takes my breath away.
Love this corner of my allotment
Respite and care. Terms modern day social working uses that bring to mind care homes. They should rather portray modern day allotment projects as these are helping to combat challenges facing our 21st century ageing population – depression and obesity caused as a result of solitude and social isolation create a £15 billion spend for the NHS according to the National Allotment Society. Could the emotional resilience, exercise and community spirit allotments provide make a dent in this?
I believe they could. I see it every time I visit my allotment. A quick 15 minute watering trip takes me over an hour because I can’t resist having a chat with my neighbours, seeing what they are up to and taking on board a few tips. I see the elderly gents putting in 6-7 hours a day on allotments that would put some commercial growers to shame.
My girls too are learning so much about growing and sharing, working hard and trial and error. They’ve seen projects fail and bloom. Hard work resulting in limp gladioli, tiny strawberries or bug infested beans despite the scarecrows.
Our Scarecrow
So some pleas whether you are an allotment holder or not…
These perfect little community spaces are few and far between but so many across the country are in danger of being sold off to property development. So a few pleas from me for what it’s worth…
- If you want an allotment, please persevere. It took us three years after we applied to get that call but it was worth the wait.
- If you have an allotment, join the National Allotment Society and get involved with their networks to promote the movement.
- If you work for a local council, please, please preserve the allotments in your patch.
Thank you.
Related articles
- Celebrating National Allotment Week With My Story (botanicalkitchen.wordpress.com)
- Allotment Raspberries Are Sweeter – Fact! (botanicalkitchen.wordpress.com)
- Is this Britain’s classiest allotment? (telegraph.co.uk)
We love our allotment too and one of the things is that it’s wonderful microcosm of society.
Indeed it is. I’ve met people I would never otherwise meet. Love it
Well said – allotments are wonderful places that should be treasured and preserved by the local authorities, not sold off for development. I learned so much about growing vegetables from the other plot holders when I had an allotment, the kids learned about eating fresh vegetables and fruit and we made some really good friends.
It’s such a wonderful community. I keep my fingers crossed that my girls will watch is grow old and bring their children to our allotment
There are huge waiting lists for allotments in my City. We have a lot of green space and nearly every one has a garden, but still allotments are much sought
Sometimes you don’t want to grow veg in the garden though. Our garden is small and I want to be able to put my hammock up and lay a picnic on the grass and have parties etc so it’s nice having the allotment too.
Reblogged this on Green Lizard's Blog and commented:
This is a really interesting post about the history of allotments. I wonder if they evolved in other countries at the same time?
Most allotments in the UK are provided by local councils under a statutory duty contained in the Allotments Act of 1925. This provides considerable legal protection as they cannot be disposed of or be granted a change of use without the approval of the Secretary of State and he/she cannot grant permission unless satisfied that adequate alternative provision is made elsewhere!
I like the scarecrow!
Thank you. She’s not a very good scarecrow to be honest but pretty none the less. I do hope the legal system secures our little haven
Looks good, wish I cold spend more time in mine, the old gents who have the time to spend hey, if only! Keep up the good work!
Thank you. I love those old gents. So charming. They always offer to carry my watering can even though they are so frail. Bless them.
We have had an allotment now for the same time as you and it is a special space that is hard to describe to anyone that doesn’t have one. I have found it impossible to go there this year with work commitments so I am now the chief cook whilst husband is in charge of maintenance. It works and I am hoping i will get back into visiting as spaces such as these make such an interesting and educational experience for children in terms of growing and eating as well as seeing nature up close!
It is hard to go everyday with work commitments. We are doing Sunday lunch there tomo if the weather holds up. Yay!