Page 6 - ALG Issue 2 2021

President’s
scribblings
The trouble with this lockdown is
that it restricts the face-to-face communications we have with others (not altogether true – read later). There’s nowt I like better than a good face-to-face chat about allotment gardening matters. I am surprised
the world is in such a state, as we are always putting it to rights every time we meet over the garden fence. But still, having an allotment makes our present situation not so bad, getting fresh air, exercise, fresh vegetables, and that crucial element of socialising (albeit at a distance).
I have just written an article for the International Allotment Office magazine ‘Hyphen’ entitled ‘Future of Allotments’. My concluding statement was: “the future for allotments is bright” and
I genuinely believe that to be right. Allotments always come to the fore in times of need (this pandemic included) and many more people have realised the many benefits our allotments have to offer and are now clambering to get one of their own. I suspect the future will hold hard and difficult times for many until our nation gets back on track, and people will be seeking an allotment out of necessity instead, not just for pleasure.
With the huge waiting lists that have developed, some local authorities
are now insisting on the creation
of allotments adjacent to their new housing developments (where there is a demand for allotments). This has got to be good, getting more people enjoying the outdoors. At present I have written to my local planning authority to try
and raise the profile of allotments in their planning policies and make them a more integral part of green space allocation. If we all did this, it would be quite a voice for change. It only takes an email or a letter.
These are difficult times, there is no doubt about that, but technology and,
in particular, Zoom has been a real boon to the NAS in enabling us to communicate with many many more members who normally would have difficulty getting to physical meetings. Some folks may have reservations about the technology, but it has enabled meetings to take place with local authorities, parish councils, allotment officers, and many other allotment user groups. This also applies in the Regions and being able to share experiences and solutions to resolve problems with like- minded people has got to be of benefit to the allotment movement.
In addition, we now have the NAS magazine
distributed both electronically
The beauty of allotment gardening is that even if at first attempt you do not succeed, you can always try again
as well as hard copies nationwide. If
you have not had access to the digital magazine, have a word with the contact for your site – usually the Chair or Secretary. This whole scheme has
been rolled out to give access to all our members, so everyone knows about what our organisation has to offer and what it does for the membership – one heck of a lot, and ‘cheap at half the price’ as the saying goes. I do not know another organisation that gives so much for so little.
Well, this is an exciting time of year when we are all raring to get started with growing our produce. There will be lots of window ledges with lots of leggy seedlings for those who just could not wait. The beauty of allotment gardening is that even if at first attempt you do not succeed, you can always try again. It is extremely exciting though to see those first seedlings pushing up through the soil.
HAPPY GARDENING
Phil Gomersall
Family-run, Bedfordshire based bird food farm. High-quality wild bird food in sustainable packaging.
www.ivelvalleybirdfood.co.uk
SAVE £5 when you spend £50! with code IVELALL5 (ends 30/06/2021)
Receive your own
printed copy of
the magazine!
Four printed magazines posted directly to you for a year.
Individual subscriptions are £10 to members, £15 for non-members. Email natsoc@nsalg.org.uk for more information.
6 Allotment and Leisure Gardener
PERFECT AS A GIFT!