Page 41 - ALG 1.21

Northern
Northumberland, Cumbria and Durham
REPRESENTATIVE
Glen March
0191 3866291 glendonmarch.northernregionrep@gmail.com
MENTOR
Mike Brannigan
Northern
0191 649 2542 mbrannigan.nas@gmail.com
Beautiful Durham Gardening Competition
I took the tenancy of my allotment in December 2016 after it proved to be otherwise unlettable. Seven people on the waiting list declined it and further advertising still failed to identify any takers. The plot was part of a new extension to the allotments and had not previously been cultivated. My husband, Michael, and I set to that winter clearing rubbish and digging part of the site and building raised beds on the rest. After leading away rubbish we brought in lots of horse manure, top soil and compost to fill the raised beds and (with his help) my plot was in full production that summer.
Michael already had a plot on the older part of the site, but in February 2019
the plot next to mine became vacant and he secured a swap so that our plots were together. This made life easier to share tools etc. However, it again meant a repeat of the clearing rubbish and leading in materials to get his plot up to full production that summer.
It was all worth it though, to each have a plot that we had started from scratch and designed to our individual preferences.
We’ve always loved our gardens but
in this awful pandemic world we have really come to value the pleasure of having our own piece of heaven to retreat to. Our plots have the added benefit of being surrounded by well- used walkways, which has meant we can still see and talk to people within the sanctuary of our socially distancing boundary fence and borders. We enjoyed our summer there so much that we’ve decided that we won’t be taking summer holidays abroad again, even if it becomes possible.
We received so many positive comments from passers-by that we were encouraged to enter the Beautiful Durham Gardening Competition. The date of judging was postponed, but once the Covid risk assessments were in place we welcomed the judges to our gardens in August. That in itself was a lovely experience, with all of the judges having a genuine interest and a warm positive attitude.
We’ve always loved our gardens but in this awful pandemic world we have really come to value the pleasure of having our own piece of heaven to retreat to
They left no stone unturned in exploring our plots and, though it was a strange social distancing dance, we were able to answer questions and discuss our plots. We talked about our successes and failures and they, as I’m sure they did with all competitors, made positive comments about some aspects of our gardens.
The icing on the cake last week was to learn that I had won best allotment or kitchen garden and that Michael had been awarded a special commendation in the same category. I don’t know how they decided on the winner, but I reckon my beautiful little pecking Cockerel scored me a few points.
Of course, I couldn’t have won without him and he wouldn’t be commended without me – we’re a team. We have received a plaque, certificates and gift vouchers, but more importantly another bright point amidst this terrible global predicament.
We’re already planning for next year’s competition. We’re each planning some structural changes and all of the seeds are here. Bring it on!
Carole Hogarth
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 41
Welcome to our new members...
Cockerton Allotment Association Quarrington Hill Allotment Association 8 Individuals
Urban Green Newcastle
1 Landowner