Page 58 - ALG Issue 4 2018

South West
Postcard from South
Devon in our Centenary
Welcome to our new members...
Mawnan Allotments Association 7 Individual Members
year 1918-2018
Wow, what a summer! We have been busy during the last few months. The sunny days were lovely, apart from my arms getting like an Orangutan’s, because of having to water the allotment so much. The positive side was that we had less slugs! We have five fields in our Association with 193 full plots, but many are split into half plots. There are also two fields managed by the Council.
Allotments are communities. In June we started with a successful bid to Awards for All lottery, for funding towards our allotment wildlife areas and promoting the importance of allotments. We have wildlife areas on individual allotments but Chris, one of our allotmenteers, had the idea of a garden to be available to everyone to enjoy the wildlife and peace. Another person, Clive, designed the garden complete with pond, flower beds, meandering paths and shrubs, plants and trees to attract insects, mammals, amphibians and birds. We also have a group that supports people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, who have
their own allotment but helped to clear the overgrown area chosen. We are partway through the work now but still have the pond and some trees to plant and we are buying seating to make the most of the ambience. Cream tea fundraisers have been held
so it was good to be able to work on the allotment afterwards!
National Allotments Week. Several events were organised to celebrate this event
and our Centenary. We had a cream tea/ cake fundraiser at one of our other fields
as they also wanted to develop a wildlife area, and it was a way to get more people involved. A bit of digging will help to lose
the calories consumed. A two-day event in the middle of Newton Abbot on 17th and 18th August was held, to raise awareness
of the importance of allotments and to
show people the history of allotments over 100 years. It was very interesting to do the research re the development of allotments in the area. In March 2018 there were already 477 allotment holders in Newton Abbot area. Fact: One of our fields was being worked before 1905 as we have a map to show the area with no houses and only a corn mill
at the end of a lane – very different now as we have houses and a school on one side. There was a huge food shortage during this time and the government commandeered
land, for growing potatoes initially, but gradually allotments became a major source of food for poor people. Rationing did help make the distribution of food more equitable in the country. Fact: the first Newton Abbot Fruit and Veg show was held in August 1918 and two of our allotmenteers at the time were commended. We held our Fruit and Vegetable show and competition this July – some of the vegetables entered were huge
– how do they do it?
Neil Dixon, one of the South West Reps
of the National Association, came to lend
a hand and brought a lot of information for people to take away re allotments. We had our display as depicted in the photo, giving the history of the allotments including wildlife photographs from our annual competition. We also had folk music from Maggie and her friends, which was enjoyed by everyone.
Bat Detecting and Moth Event at our largest field. Nigel, Kevin, Claire and Nick organised this. We were able to borrow bat detectors from the Devon Wildlife Trust and three people had moth traps and borrowed a generator. We caught some beautiful moths, some were so delicate, like lace. We did release them unharmed at the end of the
evening. Bat detecting is exciting, as when it was dusk they started skimming over our heads and the detectors were able to pick up their calls. A computer app. told us what species of bat we were hearing including: Greater Horseshoe (rare); Common Pipistrelle; Noctule; Soprano Pipistrelles; Leisler’s bat; Lesser Horseshoe Bat and Serotine. A great evening.
International event. We invited all members to come to the largest field and share their favourite recipes, but unfortunately chose
a Sunday after lunch, which was not great timing as we did not have our usual crowd. We did, however, have an Eastern European flavour in bright pink beetroot cold soup, which was delicious, more scones and cream, and a lovely apple and blackberry crumble.
I learnt from my father about growing food as we always had a plot in our garden or an allotment. It promoted a lifelong interest for me in growing food myself. Showing children how to grow food organically is so important for our future health and well-being.
Phew. Time for a rest, I think, sitting on my allotment contemplating!
Meryl Basham
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