Page 47 - ALG Issue 2 2025

A look at the names of some of the
varieties of raspberries available today
gives a clue as to their origins. Glen Lyon
is a popular early fruiting variety. My own
favourite is Glen Ample. They do well in our
cooler summers and long daylight hours.
The east of Scotland is a prime location
for growing raspberries for the jam-making
industry around Dundee.
A final mention now of the joys of
Scottish blackcurrants - cultivars bred at
Scotland’s James Hutton Institute, include
Ben Connon, Ben Lomond and Ben Alder
- named after Scottish mountains. I’ve
recently planted a variety called Ben Hope
which has the reputation of being Big Bud
resistant as well as doing well in cooler
climates.
Jenny Mollison
East Lothian
jennymolliso@yahoo.co.uk
YORKSHIRE
Welcome to…
14 individuals
Burton Community Allotment
Group
Bridlinton Town Council
THIS IS MY
ALLOTMENT
STORY
In 2016, I suffered a cerebral infarction along with multiple
T.I.A.s (mini-strokes), leaving me with ongoing health
challenges, including Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), a
Hiatus Hernia, oesophagitis, and duodenitis. The acid reflux
from my hernia causes severe indigestion, adding to my
daily struggles.
Fast forward to 2021, I took redundancy
on medical grounds after my company
moved an extra six miles away,
increasing my round-trip commute to
48 miles—too much for me to manage.
That same year, I applied for a council
allotment plot, hoping it would provide
me with fresh air, gentle exercise, and a
much-needed mental health boost.
I received my plot in August 2021, but
it was in a terrible state—completely
overgrown with tall grass, a collapsing
wooden shed with asbestos roofing, and
a greenhouse full of broken glass. The first
few months were spent strimming, raking,
and clearing debris, with the help of a
friend and the site secretary’s permission
to burn the waste. Unfortunately, the
persistent couch grass made things even
more challenging, constantly regrowing
despite my efforts to dig it out by hand.
Over the years, I’ve received two letters
from the council about my plot’s condition,
warning me to tidy it up or risk eviction.
The first was in 2023, prompting me to
hire someone who cleared 15 square feet
and removed 13 bags of couch grass. The
second came in October 2024, despite it
being one of the wettest years in memory,
making growing incredibly difficult.
At this point, my anxiety, stress, and
depression hit hard. Not knowing what
would happen to my plot, I reached out
to the National Allotment Society (NAS)
for advice. With their guidance, I wrote
to the council, explaining my disabilities
and how the allotment was crucial to my
physical and mental well-being. My doctor
even advised me not to give it up, as it
provides much-needed exercise, fresh air,
and homegrown food. I also documented
my progress with photos, proving how
much work I had put in since inheriting
the neglected plot.
Finally, in January 2025, I received the
news I had been hoping for—the council
renewed my allotment licence! Not only
that, but they also granted me an OAP
discount, making it even easier for me to
continue.
Now, as spring approaches, I can’t wait
to get back to my allotment, enjoying all
the physical and mental health benefits
it brings. It’s been a tough journey, but
I know every effort I put in is worth it.
Gardening isn’t just about growing food—
it’s about growth, resilience, and the joy of
being part of a community.
Jonathon Beever
West Yorkshire
"I can’t wait to
get back to my
allotment"
Allotment and Leisure Gardener | Issue 2 2025 | 47