Page 15 - ALG Issue 4 2024

YOUNG PLOTTERS
My experience at the Allotment Shop
On April 7th 2024, we (mum, me and grandad) first went to the allotment shop. We went following a vote by the committee members which chose us to take over the shop.The shop needed new ownership, due to the death of the previous shopkeeper, and was in a state of disrepair.
To get the shop back up to scratch, we cleared our schedule for the first week to clean, declutter and reorganise. Repairs that were needed included a leaking roof and rat holes in the walls and floor. However, we realised we wouldn’t be able to repair the shop on our own, so we had help from my nana, uncle, siblings and dad. Unfortunately, the roof repairs are only temporary due
to the damage it has taken over the years. To accommodate for this, we have set up a raffle to raise funds for permanent repairs to the roof.
Taking over the shop gave us access to
an allotment to the left of the building.We plan to use this area provided to grow a variety of different fruits and vegetables that we aren’t able to grow at home, due to the fact that our chickens would eat them all! We also plan on using the allotment as a place to relax with a picnic bench, secret den underneath the elderflower bush, and a teamaking shed (owing to the fact that my mum can’t go anywhere without tea).
As we cleaned out the shed, we
learnt about the history of the shop and association. For example, we have found books documenting association members going as far back as the 1960s. However, we were not able to keep all the books due
to them going mouldy and being eaten by rats.We also found a plaque that shows gardening awards from as early as 1938.
We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for the allotment shop. DJ Hart
Allotment and Leisure Gardener | Issue 4 2024 | 15