Page 51 - ALG Issue 4 2014 Digital Edition

East Midlands
Regional Representative Report
As a new representative, I am undergoing a rapid learning experience but already some patterns are developing. To many they will appear to be self-evident. Members of associations and federations benefit from having a clear constitution and tenancy agreement preferably supplemented by detailed and transparent procedures covering items such as plot allocation, uncultivated plots and termination of tenancy. Having produced procedures they should be followed.
In the good news category there are still allotments being established that look to the NAS for support and guidance.
Regional Allotment Watch Proposal:
Theft and vandalism are constant problems on allotment sites and police forces across the country have introduced Allotment Watch community-based crime prevention schemes, which work on
the same principles as Neighbourhood Watch but are directed at reducing allotment crime and antisocial behaviour.
As most of these are police instigated they provide excellent advice to identify potential problems, security information and
the tools necessary to help reduce the risks e.g. tool marking,
shed alarms and security leaflets. It also encourages members
to work together through self-help and in cooperation with the Neighbourhood Police Team and Neighbourhood Watch to reduce the potential for crime and antisocial behaviour on the allotment site. However, as many schemes are based on policing areas, information relating to a spate of theft on one allotment may not be passed onto those in another district or county, even if the site is only a couple of miles down the road.
Associations and societies in the East Midlands are invited to participate in a pilot scheme under which, information on any antisocial activity reported on any participating allotment site will be circulated by email to all other societies taking part. The information can then be cascaded down to the members of each society by email or site notices, so as to increase awareness and emphasise the need to implement basic precautions. This would also allow us to collate information on criminal activity relating to allotments in the areas covered.
Rod Weston
Life on Aylestone Lane Allotment Association
There have been allotments on Wigston’s Aylestone Lane site for 120 years. Back in 1844 it was purchased by a group of 15 local framework knitters, plus the landlords of two local inns, the Horse and Trumpet and the Old Crown, thanks to a loan from a spinster lady from Burton on the Wolds, Harriet Cooper.
In 1926, a Land Tax document lists the site, now owned by Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, as 12.877 acres with 230 allotments. Today, the site covers 8.4 acres
and has 178 allotments – and there’s a waiting
list, so any plot which becomes vacant is quickly snapped up.
Plots range in size from 79 to 575 square yards with an average rent (set by the Council) for a plot costing around £30 a year. An average plot size is approx 230 square yards (what we’d call a half plot).
Trevor Bolley, who has had an allotment here for 57 years, agrees that this is a good thing. His first crop was shallots, which he still grows. “I paid just seven and sixpence for my first plot. In those days we used to buy soot from the local chimney sweep to put on the gardens. It killed off the slugs far better than any pellets and conditioned the soil as well. Pity it’s a lost commodity now!’’
Today the allotment holders have other methods of cultivation, including composting – most plots have at least one compost heap, and they certainly produce a huge variety of crops. Nigel himself grows Cape gooseberries (Physalis), and sweetcorn. Other people have huge pumpkins lying fatly among their leaves, handsome artichokes, even an outdoor vine or two, as well as more common crops such as potatoes, carrots, cabbage, beetroot and runner beans.
The Community Garden, run by Sue Doughty has a variety of crops, some experimental and
there’s a Muddy Boots club for under fives, who come once a week to enjoy the fun of planting seeds, watching them grow and, of course, sampling their produce.
Matthew Furlong has two plots and a polytunnel. As a teacher at Birkett House School, he regularly brings his teenage students to learn about gardening and growing. “It is great experience for them and they both enjoy and benefit from it. They socialise with other allotment holders, and they make a contribution by doing occasional odd jobs such as litter picking. Some may even go on to train in some aspect of horticulture, so it helps them in that way too.’’
The Association’s recent Allotment Day was a community event, with many of the allotmenteers meeting up over coffee and homemade cakes, comparing notes about their plants and admiring each other’s efforts. There were several competitions, which included the tallest sunflower and best scarecrow.
“It’s been a really good day’’ was the verdict of Association secretary Teresa Walton, who can be proud that she helps to run a group of gardeners whose flourishing allotments are proof of their hard work and enthusiasm for growing, harvesting and, of course, eating.
Joan Stephens
The site is inspected twice a year by the
Council and Margaret Smith, who manages the
site on behalf of the Council points out: “We are
keen to encourage the growing of good nutritious
produce as a way of improving the health of Borough residents.”
“Taking on an allotment requires dedication and hard work, but the benefits are well worthwhile.’’
“Amen to that’’ say members of the Aylestone Lane Allotment Association. The Association was formed in 1971, and is run by an enthusiastic and hardworking committee of volunteers. It is a flourishing venture. The plots themselves offer a riot of fruit and vegetables as far as the eye can see with everything from the humblest spuds to award winning clematis and gladioli.
There is a beautiful Association garden, opened by the Mayor of Oadby & Wigston at their recent Open Day. It was once an area subject to constant flooding; it is now imaginatively laid out and planted – a peaceful oasis where members can relax for a while from raking and hoeing, digging and disbudding.
There is also an Association store, where members can buy gardening accessories from netting and pots to fertilisers and seeds.
Chairman Nigel Herbert rented his first plot 26 years ago. “To be honest, it was then something of an old boys’ club. Not any more. Now we have more young people and more families – television has helped to create more interest in gardening and encouraged people to grow their own fruit and vegetables.’’
The site is inspected twice a year by the Council
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