Page 49 - ALG Issue 4 2020

“The best thing I have ever done...”
Regrettably, because of the pandemic, our August meeting was cancelled so I will continue my allotment story from Allotment Magazine 3 2020.
In my last article I described how, fearing the possible consequences of the lack of tenants, we had set about clearing the vacant plots.
Finally, on 1st March, we had a grand bonfire – in fact we had two at the same time – there was so much rubbish. We were persuaded that bonfires would increase our carbon footprint less than lorries to landfill!
The Council was informed that the empty plots were now cleared, though not dug. After a period of time, the Officers visited the site to inspect and ensure that they were fit for leasing
to would-be tenants. Having satisfied themselves that what we said was true, they slowly started to release plots, splitting each one in half to increase the availability. Saturday 16th. May was settled on as the date for the Open Day. Bearing in mind the necessity for social distancing, prospective plotholders came with trepidation. “Who will dig out the weeds? The Council?” was the naivest question of the day. Some of the existing plotholders were equally concerned regarding the risk of COVID-19 being spread by the visitors, only being reassured when it was pointed out that the newcomers had as much to lose as they did.
Since then, cultivation has taken place with various degrees of expertise and success. The allotments no longer have a sense of despondency; the vacant, weed-filled plots are being cleared at various speeds. Depending on personal
circumstances, some of the ‘new’ plots are in full cultivation whilst others have been covered with a suppressing membrane, waiting for the autumn, when pressure of work has eased for some.
Meanwhile, my allotment festered. Having been locked down since mid- March, I went in search of rhubarb on the plot. I was horrified. As Site Secretary, I had led the Winter Plot Clearance, but now my plot was a disgrace.
A family consultation was held and it was decided that, by going to the plot early to avoid other plotholders, and following the excellent guidance given by the National Allotment Society, I could remain COVID-19 free. Since then every morning, with the exception of Sundays, which seems the most popular day for other early-morning allotmenteers, I have been there by 6am, worked for two hours and returned home for breakfast. The wildlife has been ever-present;
I was serenaded by a blackbird for several weeks, cajoled by a bullying robin on several occasions, and robbed of a gardening glove by a young fox who was unaware of the Allotment Society guidance on not handling other’s kit. He returned a few minutes later to drink from my bucket of water, waiting for the plantlets I was tending. The one and a half plots for which I am responsible were slowly restored to normality or, dare I say it, even better than normality, benefitting from my daily attendance. Although the lost two months cultivation were not retrievable, the plot is on a par with its neighbours. The only person I met in the first month of my return was a man on the “Extremely Vulnerable” list whose consultant had agreed that
The one and a half plots for which I am responsible were slowly restored to normality
he needed exercise, as long as he was careful.
At least 25 new people have taken up plots, with three people pulling out when they realised the challenge they faced. The Allotment Officer is delighted with the increase in income. The new tenants are very enthusiastic with
one lady delighted to find the existing plotholders friendly and helpful, even saying that getting an allotment was: “The best thing I have ever done...”
John McNab
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 49