Page 43 - ALG Issue 2 2021
P. 43

                                   Cowgill Allotment for Health and Wellbeing
In 2019 I put our name on the waiting list for an allotment at Glenholme Allotments, Clayton, in the hope that
I could get patients from our surgery, who had long-term underlying health and mental health issues, interested in growing their own fruit and veg. Plus it would help with anyone being socially isolated and lonely.
When I put our name down, I was informed that we were number 11 on the list and I thought: ‘oh heck, I hope we get an allotment before I die!’ Then all of a sudden, we were number 7, then 4, and I thought I had better ask for expressions of interest by asking the surgery to send out a text message to our patients.
Initially I had 18 replies and so I organised a meeting, but only a few turned up – 9 including myself, but it was enough to make this work. About a month later I was offered a half plot, and boy did it need a lot of work doing!
Naturally I accepted, and immediately two of us started to clear it. We decided to have a weekend where we had four members of the group digging on the Saturday and the rest on the Sunday. It was beginning to look good.
We had a greenhouse donated but had to collect it, so I persuaded my husband and his friend to collect it for us. What
a way to transport it! Of course, it got a few strange looks, but it didn’t travel far!
Whilst I had my husband and his friend’s undivided attention, I asked if they would
kindly help to build a shed for us, which they did, laying foundations first.
We were really lucky with the weather, in fact, our plot is quite the sun trap.
Now we had somewhere to store
our tools or anything we wanted!
We were successful in applying for a small grant which enabled us to pay for the materials for the shed, and some tools and equipment to get us started.
We sowed seeds in the greenhouse and once they were ready to plant we got them in the ground. Then Covid-19 hit, and we could only go to the plot in ones or twos, maintaining social distancing and ensuring hand sanitiser gel before and after using the tools. A rota was made which enabled one or two people to attend to the plot every day, and it worked really well; we even set up a WhatsApp group so we could chat about what had been done at the plot that day and what needed doing.
The group have worked really hard and I have had comments such as...
When I put our name down,
I was informed that we were number 11 on the list and I thought: ‘oh heck, I hope we get an allotment before I die!’
     Linda: “The allotment has been
so beneficial to me over these
last 6 months. It's so good health wise and meeting people from different allotments and seeing the products we have planted grow is so rewarding. I hope it helps lots of patients from the surgery as it has me and long may it continue.”
 Julie: “There are so many positives about working on the allotment - where to start! The surroundings are so peaceful, the people are always friendly and ready to help and advise, and maintaining the plot is very rewarding. I have met
a new group of people and I get my daily exercise. In these strange times particularly, it has been
a place to go and something to do. I’m looking forward to what happens next! Thanks for letting me be part of it.”
 Lynne: “Since becoming part of the Cowgill Allotment Group for health and wellbeing, I have found it to
be a great benefit to me mentally, physically and socially. I have made new friends and enjoyed working with everyone. I have appreciated all the help and support of every-one concerned. I am enjoying watching the plants growing and look forward to sampling the produce.”
So, all in all, our allotment for Health and Wellbeing has been a great success; so much so, we have our name down for a bigger plot!
Joyce Thackwray, Chairperson, Cowgill Support Group
  Allotment and Leisure Gardener 43






































































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