Page 8 - ALG Issue 4 2020

NAS history
news from NAS head office
1939-1940
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES
One of the first things done by the Society when war broke out was to place the Organisation, unconditionally, at the disposal of the Government.
The offer was gladly received and the Society continued during 1939 to work in closest collaboration with various Government departments. To stimulate food production by voluntary effort,
the Ministry of Agriculture set up a Domestic Food Producers Council. The Minister of Agriculture launched the ‘Dig for Victory” campaign at a meeting of Civic heads of Local Authorities from all parts of the country convened by the Lord Mayor of London.
The main task which confronted the campaign was to secure half a million new allotment holders to dig plots in readiness for the next growing season.
HORTICULTURAL COMMITTEES
One of the great difficulties NAS met
at this time was getting experienced people, especially in urban areas, to dig allotments. There was a great lack of gardening knowledge. This had been foreseen by the Ministry of Agriculture who took steps to rectify the situation. In all towns of over 10,000 inhabitants, the Ministry advised that Horticultural Committees should be formed by Local Authorities consisting of expert gardeners, allotment representatives, parks superintendents and others to give advice to beginners. This service was greatly appreciated and over 400 such committees were established.
In smaller towns which fell outside the scheme the Royal Horticultural Society had a panel of specialist gardeners available to deliver lectures and give demonstrations on gardening matters.
THE ASSISTANCE SCHEME
This scheme made an important contribution to the ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign, and was a scheme supplying gardening requirements to men who were unemployed, old age pensioners and the wives of allotment holders whose husbands were serving in the Forces. The Society of Friends raised
by public appeal the money required
The Minister of Agriculture launched the ‘Dig for Victory” campaign at a meeting of Civic heads of Local Authorities
for carrying out this scheme and entrusted the administration to a central committee that consisted of NAS representatives, county council officials and other persons and bodies. The Government also supported
the scheme financially but only by the amount raised by the voluntary subscriptions.
It was estimated that the value of the produce raised by the men and women was in the region of £700,000. The total weight of produce in potatoes alone was around 30,000 tons. It was recognised that, as valuable as are the economic advantages to the nation arising out
of this scheme, the psychological and physical benefits combined were just as great to families in poor circumstances.
SURPLUS PRODUCE
The Annual Report of 1939 bears many similarities to 2020.
The Annual Conference usually held in June had to be postponed, until later in the year but unfortunately, the war situation did not improve and the conference was abandoned altogether - no Zoom around then.
A special authorisation
had to be obtained from the Chief Registrar for the Management Committee to carry out certain essential functions, which would normally have been carried out by the AGM.
WAR-TIME CONDITIONS
The Society was adapting to war-
time conditions. Many activities were curtailed, whilst in other ways many had increased considerably.
The Society was finding it difficult
to hold meetings; however, a small emergency team was put together who could quickly meet to carry out urgent business. Reports of that time stated that the Society performed its functions with an inflexible determination to make a full contribution to the war effort. By the end of 1939 over 400 new associations had been accepted into membership since the outbreak of war.
NEW PRESIDENT
Sir Francis Ackland had been the first President of the National Allotment Society until his death during 1939.
The Management Committee of the time had the task of finding a worthy successor. Lord Trent was approached; like Sir Francis, he was a keen gardener and supporter of the Allotment Movement. On his land, Lord Trent
had laid out several model allotments planned on different cropping systems to assist with the war effort.
8 Allotment and Leisure Gardener