Page 8 - ALG Issue 2 2022

Reps Q&A
Mike Farrell – Yorkshire
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
Being able to solve problems and put people at ease through listening then advising.
WHAT ASPIRATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR REGION?
To create a feeling of solidarity among Yorkshire allotmenteers.
WHAT DEVELOPMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE ALLOTMENT MOVEMENT?
Greater recognition of the important role allotments have in society, and their potential benefit.
WHAT DOES YOUR ALLOTMENT AND GROWING YOUR OWN
MEAN TO YOU?
I love vegetables and home-grown taste so good.
HOW HAS ALLOTMENTEERING CHANGED IN THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED?
There is no longer a need to dig.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW PLOTHOLDER?
Try not to leave too long a gap between visits to the plot.
FAVOURITE CELEBRITY GARDENER/ GARDENING TV SHOW?
Beechgrove, sensible gardening with excellent advice.
IS THERE A TOOL OR GARDENING PRODUCT THAT YOU COULD NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
My Burgon and Ball hand weeding fork (£13.99).
IF YOU ARE NOT ON YOUR ALLOTMENT, WHAT OTHER HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY? Playing with my grandsons and supporting Sheffield Wednesday.
SPROUTS OR CARROTS?
Carrots, for me. They’re harder to grow so I enjoy and appreciate them more.
New Research and Development Officer
When I got my allotment in 1995 there were plenty of derelict plots and few women plotholders on our site – in fact, allotments were not trendy at all. I got used to hearing non-gardeners tell me I was weird for wanting to grow my own. I definitely had the last laugh! Demand is now high and allotments are becoming more valued by the powers that be for their contribution to the nation’s environmental and social fabric.
Since then, I have served as Chair of our association, worked nine years for a national allotment project which NAS was part of (Allotments Regeneration Initiative), gained my doctorate about informal social cooperation on allotments, and contributed to publications providing
national guidance on allotment management and governance.
My new position with NAS is to
grow the management committee’s strategic plans into real life
practical projects for the benefit
of our members and the future
of allotments. For example, I am contributing to guidance for planners and developers, who are regularly contacting Head Office for advice on how to design allotment sites into new housing developments.
Meanwhile, with an ever-growing body of new government policies
and regulations, I am working with colleagues to analyse the implications and opportunities for allotments.
An example is new requirements
I am researching how NAS can support member societies in providing practical informal training in allotment gardening for newbies
for enhanced biodiversity on new developments (Biodiversity Net Gain).
Finally, I am researching how NAS can support member societies in providing practical informal training in allotment gardening for newbies. Readers will know only too well that many newcomers have never learned to garden, often leaving
in the first year. The management committee recognises that a key part of our movement’s heritage is plotholders’ skill and knowledge
in the subtleties of allotment gardening practice and that it is vital to pass this on to future generations.
Deborah Burn, Research and Development Officer
Containerwise
Long-life
Propagation Trays
Buy once – use for years. The ultimate in recycling.
Buy online @ www.containerwise.co.uk
8 Allotment and Leisure Gardener