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This year sees Beaumaris Allotments celebrate their centenary.
On 12th January 1917, Beaumaris Town Council held a public meeting where ‘the Town Council’s scheme to acquire land for allotments to assist in the food-producing movement was explained’ and it was
agreed that allotments should be provided
in Beaumaris. Subsequently, thanks to an agreement reached between Sir Richard Henry Williams Buckley of Baron Hill, and The Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of
the Borough of Beaumaris, a piece of land which was a part of Castle Meadow was leased to the Borough, and so Beaumaris Allotments was formed. By 10th March 1917 it was reported that ‘work has commenced in real earnest during the past week and
the various allotment holders are now busy preparing their holdings for planting’.
The government and local organisations issued booklets and information for inexperienced gardeners including ‘War Time Gardening – How to grow your own food’, which stated that ‘the country has appealed to all who cannot share in the ghting to see that our food supply is secured’. It included details on everything from ‘How to prepare your plot’ to ‘Breeding rabbits for the table’. Even children were encouraged to get involved in growing fruit and vegetables,
with schools digging up their playgrounds to provide gardens.
In Beaumaris, a ‘Mr Glyn Williams of Bangor University College attended the allotments and addressed the tenants on the desirability of spraying the potatoes
as a preventative of blight. He gave a practical demonstration of the methods and commented that “The allotments are looking remarkably well and if appearances count for anything, there should be excellent crops of all sorts” (N. W. Chronicle, 6th July 1917). Mr Williams’ advice obviously paid off as subsequently ‘Mr Edward Owen of Rating Row dug from his allotment garden this
View from the allotments today
week six potatoes which weighed together 7lbs’.
As there are now, there were problems such as ‘allotment holders have been watching their growing crops with anxious eyes as the soil was becoming so dry that the use of the hose and watering barely suf ced to vivify the parched ground’. Also, in those days ‘complaints were rife of extensive thieving of produce from
the allotment gardens’. Thankfully, unlike 1917, Beaumaris Allotments now has a comprehensive CCTV system in place to deter thieves.
At the outbreak of WW2 there were only 819,000 allotment plots being cultivated but, based on the experiences in the First World War, the government immediately called on allotments again to help with food supplies. Another 500,000 plots were created in
the UK. The press coined the name ‘Dig
for Victory’ for the campaign. Once again, everyone was encouraged to do their bit
for the war effort. The area given over to allotments in Beaumaris was at its maximum during this period. Unfortunately, over the years, land has been reclaimed for various reasons including creating a public car park, thus reducing the number of allotments available.
The Beaumaris Allotments Society, made up of the plot holders themselves, now manages the site on behalf of Beaumaris Town Council, and there are currently 62 members enjoying all the bene ts, not only growing their own fruit, vegetables and owers, but also taking part in an active social calendar. This includes popular annual events such as a BBQ, a Fun Quiz, The BAAFTAs (Beaumaris Annual Awards for The Allotments) and The AllotFest.
This event is always really popular, where plot holders bring along jars of their jams, chutneys, pickles, and home-made cakes and desserts, all made from the produce of their plots. Everyone gets a chance to try the
delicious results of all that hard work.
In addition to celebrating their centenary
this year, next year the allotments will also be featured in the prestigious National Garden Scheme, when the plots will be open to the public on 7th & 8th July. Visitors will get a chance to get guided tours of some of the allotments, meet plot holders, see what is involved in running a modern-day allotment, plus purchase plants and produce.
If you are interested in having an allotment in Beaumaris and joining in all the fun
of the Society, then why not apply for a plot? Application forms can be obtained
by emailing beaumarisallotmentsociety@ outlook.com, from Beaumaris Town Hall or the notice board on site. For more information, please ring 07811 351271.
The allotments at their largest – probably after WWII
General
One hundred years – and still growing strong!
Yma ers 100 mlynedd...ac yn dal i dyfu
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