Page 8 - ALG Issue 3 2022

Reps Q&A
Paul Howgill – East Midlands
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
Meeting people on their plots and talking about all the common problems we
have whilst gardening. You meet people from different backgrounds, a university professor gardening next to someone un-employed. The mixture of people.
WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR REGION?
To get groups meeting together to share their collective knowledge and not just for the solving of problems and disputes.
WHAT DEVELOPMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE ALLOTMENT MOVEMENT?
Improve training both of new gardeners and new committee members. We throw a new plotholder in at the deep end when we let a plot with limited guidance as to what has happened on this plot in the past. New committee officers are given little help how they carry out the roles of chair, treasurer or secretary.
WHAT DOES YOUR ALLOTMENT/ GROWING YOUR OWN MEAN TO YOU?
Satisfaction of putting a seed into the ground and cropping what you have tended.
HOW HAS ALLOTMENTEERING/NAS CHANGED IN THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED?
The best change is the number of
female gardeners, 25 years ago most allotments were male dominated, the domain of retired gentlemen.
Local authorities did not provide the most basic facilities like toilets. I played football and cricket for many years; if I was asking to use a bucket behind the changing rooms, I would feel insulted. Local authorities are slowly improving by providing toilets on allotment sites which are used for many hours per day and not just 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW PLOTHOLDER?
When you take on a plot, many try to cultivate the whole plot quickly. Taking on an allotment is a marathon not a sprint. Take your time. Walk around your site and look at other plots and ask other members what and when to plant.
Walk around your site and look at other plots
If you read a seed packet, it will say to plant from February to April; this may mean February in Bournemouth and April in Berwick upon Tweed. Even on your site there will be micro-climates.
FAVOURITE CELEBRITY GARDENER/ GARDENING TV SHOW?
Sorry Monty but I think you are losing it; best programme is Beechgrove.
Best gardener is Geoff Hamilton, a gardener’s gardener.
IS THERE A TOOL OR GARDENING PRODUCT THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Wolf push pull hoe (not sure of the proper name).
IF YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR ALLOTMENT, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY?
I am a football supporter of LEICESTER CITY, which the management committee has to suffer!
SPROUTS OR CARROTS?
Carrots
WHAT IS YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL VEGETABLE SHOW ENTRY?
I am not a good showman, but when Leicester did have a city show, we did well with tomatoes and potatoes.
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8 Allotment and Leisure Gardener