Page 49 - ALG Issue 3 2020

Allotment life during ‘lockdown’
What strange times we are living in! The coronavirus pandemic has hit the UK, and indeed the world, very hard and everyone has been affected by it in some way. With restrictions placed on our movements, I’m sure allotment holders all over our country are so glad of their little bit of precious land, where they can safely practice social distancing! They can get some of their daily exercise and enjoy the fresh
air whilst getting their plot ready to grow this year’s delicious homegrown produce.
Our allotment site has never looked so well-tended this early in the season. In fact, it prompted one local resident
whose property overlooks our site, to put pen to paper and write a note to
our chairman remarking that he has never seen it looking better! A lot of people that normally work during the week have never had so much free time on their hands and have not only been getting their plots up to scratch but have been making improvements to our site in general.
Our allotment gates have been repainted and revamped – a job that has needed to be done for several years! Also, they now benefit from a lovely wooden hand-carved welcome sign.
Our community orchard has been
Our allotment site has never looked so well- tended this early in the season
given some much needed TLC. It has been thoroughly weeded, a new weed- suppressing membrane put down, and fresh bark applied. It’s now a lovely place where plotholders can take a well-deserved rest after they’ve done their bit (practising social distancing of course!).
The roadway around our site was badly in need of some repair work after the extremely wet weather that we had during the winter. We were so grateful for a donation of three builders’ bags of rubble that were so kindly given to us by a local haulage firm. A few hours of socially distanced hard work by some of our plotholders saw the roadway put back to a useable state once again.
Our allotments are situated in a semi- rural location in leafy Warwickshire, being surrounded by woods, a playing field and some residential housing. We have a total of 43 plotholders. Lockdown has seen a number of new enquiries, and indeed we now have a waiting list! The first time for a few years.
Whilst we are going through these unprecedented times, I’m sure we’ve all reflected on how lucky we are to have our plots. They are undoubtedly our little havens, a safe place in these troubled times. I have spoken to many of our plotholders who have said that they don’t know what they would
have done without them! As has been well documented, allotments are definitely good for our mental health and wellbeing, which is certainly being tested at the moment!
Julie Doubleday, Committee Secretary, Binley Woods Allotment Association
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 49