Page 56 - ALG Issue 4 2020

Southern
Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
this period local garden centres and nurseries were allowed to stay open but with strict trading guidelines. During this time the society received requests for allotments; the waiting list rapidly grew to over 30. This first lockdown phase was lifted on the
11th May and we moved to Level
three of the safe exit strategy. This allowed plotholders to spend four hours involved in daily exercise. All plotholders were very pleased with the lifting of the first lockdown phase as March and April are two of the busiest months for cultivation seed sowing and planting of crops. There was a growing feeling of community on the plots with many plants being traded between plotholders as many plot holders started to grow more of their plants from seed rather that relying on the local garden centres and nurseries. As in the UK supplies of seeds became very limited even online supplies were difficult to get hold of.
Our Spring show in March and our Early summer show were cancelled, so it was decided to stage a virtual show, members were requested to send photographs of their entries these were then judged by four judges. There were 170 classes with nearly 300 entries. The Society has increased its activities
through social media. In 2019 ‘Cultivate Young Minds’ was started with the aim of educating young people on the island the rural culture of the Island. The year the ‘Cultivate Garden Club’ has started and now has over 600 members from across the island and as far a field as New Zealand and Brazil. https://www. facebook.com/RJAandHS/
On the 12th June the Island moved to Level 2. With restrictions easing the Society decided to go ahead with the All Island Garden competition sponsored by one of our local garden centres. With social distancing still in place,
and to protect the entrants and judges, entrants were requested to submit a 500-word resume about their garden, we even had video coverage. 47 gardens large and small, formal and informal were entered including a number of allotments at the F J Ahier Country Gardens. We also held our annual
plot competition, to maintain social distancing plotholders were requested not to be on site during the judging. Plans are in place – with a very detailed risk assessment for our summer show in August and our Anniversary Day including a mini produce show, sunflower and scarecrow competitions in early September.
Growing your own is essential for good health
Allotments and growing produce has been an essential part of our member’s lives during these very challenging times. Growing your own is essential for good health, exercise and most importantly our mental health and wellbeing. We are all looking forward
to life returning to a new normal in the very near future.
Martin PreisIg
Royal Jersey Agriculture & Horticulture Society
56 Allotment and Leisure Gardener