Page 5 - ALG Issue 2 2025

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
Chairman’s Comments
View from the Chair/Sermon from the plot,
(actually it was the kitchen table as it’s freezing outside).
I often admire the quality of optimism and
positivity in friends and colleagues and
wish I could be less of a pessimist, but my
overall view of the world and the nature of
mankind is of selfishness. There is a positive
effect of this negative outlook as it does
fuel my desire to combat apathy and greed
and offset both by trying to make a positive
difference for future generations. To this
end I ceaselessly attend shows and meetings
and talk to anyone who will listen about
1. Healthy Living: Growing your own food
encourages a healthy diet and lifestyle.
2. Community Building: Allotments bring
people together, fostering a sense of
community and shared purpose.
3. Mental Wellbeing: Gardening is a
therapeutic activity that reduces stress
and promotes mental health.
4. Environmental Impact: Allotments
promote sustainable living by reducing
food miles and encouraging organic
farming practices.
Challenges
1. Availability: In many urban areas, there
is a high demand for allotments, leading
to long waiting lists.
2. Maintenance: Keeping an allotment
productive requires time, effort, and
knowledge.
3. Pests and Diseases: Like any garden,
allotments are susceptible to pests and
plant diseases.
the benefits of allotments and home-grown
food. Some might say my zeal could have
the reverse effect of what I intend and put
people off but, ultimately, if enough of us
want to make the world a better place for
children to grow up in… we can. At least, I
think we can, well I hope we can. We should
certainly keep trying, and maybe we will.
It would appear from the following that
my computer understands the value of
allotments… why don’t ‘the powers that be’?
Despite the challenges, allotments remain a
vital part of our urban green spaces, proving
that small patches of land can have a big
impact. They connect us to nature, provide
food security, and strengthen communities. If
we continue to advocate for them, support
new growers, and fight for more green
spaces, then perhaps the future will be a
little greener, a little kinder, and a whole lot
more hopeful.
So, let’s keep growing – together.
Mike Farrell, Chairman
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Allotment and Leisure Gardener | Issue 2 2025 | 5