Page 54 - ALG Issue 4 2022

Eastern
Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire
Welcome to our new members...
Burnham Market Parish Council Plotholders Peasenhall Allotment Society
Woodbridge Allotment Association
11 individuals
Shepherds Rest
Little Hadham Parish Council Littleport Parish Council Thundridge Parish Council
REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Ray How
5 Dalys Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1RA
07720 719224 ray.how@btopenworld.com
MENTOR
Mark Vincent mvincent.nas@gmail.com
The perils and pleasures of gardening in a public space
12 years ago, when the parish council was short of money, the chairman asked the local allotmenteers whether they would adopt the three flower beds and the half acre of grass at the centre of our village, Northchurch. Four friends put their hands up – two of us remain!
The beds were in a bit of an unruly state; herbs and grasses poking through decayed thick black matting. We wanted to develop them in a way that blended with the semi-rural setting with an easy to manage structure of shrubs and perennials, interplanted with seasonal bulbs and summer bedding. Sounds like a plan – but it has taken time to evolve. We realised this demanded a very different approach from our own gardens and allotments. There needed to be strong visual impact from the roads and pavements, with easy to manage and drought resistant plantings. With no easy access to water, it has been a real struggle this year.
The beds are at a super busy road junction with the main A4251 and
the access road to a small Tesco and fish and chip shop. Many of the local residents who shop there are elderly and disabled, and like to stop and chat. Late afternoons, parents and children flood across from the local primary
school. People catch the bus there, sit on the benches and generally hang out.
Right from the word go we had ‘feedback’. Everyone loved the fact that the beds were being cared for properly. They weren’t too ‘municipal’. The alliums soon featured in the local social media. The spectacular seed heads were as much interest as the blooms. People enjoyed watching the tall Cosmos Sonata billowing in the breeze from July to November. They were interested in the different shrubs – the Ceratastigma with its gentian blue flowers and the Heucheras with their exotic colours. The red Penstemons have been the hardiest and most reliable perennials over the years and with a few red geraniums, it makes a colourful splash in the summer. White flowered Hellebores thrive in winter. Euphorbias have also done their bit.
It has not been without the odd challenge. Litter is a constant problem, despite the numerous bins. Idling cars pollute the atmosphere as people pop into Tesco. Mouthy 12-year-olds out of school can be a bit cheeky. There is a slightly confused lady who deposits her waste on top of the shrubs at 4am, believing it to be helpful compost (it isn’t!). Then there was the elderly gent who put his foot on the wrong pedal
If there
is a local election pending, each group likes to take its publicity ‘selfies’ next to the village sign bed. We take this as a compliment, whatever the party.
(twice) and landed his car in the middle of one of the beds. Large delivery vehicles frequently drive over the grass going round the tight corners. We have been offered (and have refused) a lot of gardening jobs...
If there is a local election pending, each group likes to take its publicity ‘selfies’ next to the village sign bed. We take this as a compliment, whatever the party.
There is still a strong sense of community around the village and
we have received a lot of interest and appreciation for creating a lovely oasis at a time of great worry and difficulty for many people. When you find a painted pebble with a lovely message hiding under a shrub – just for you to find – it seems very worthwhile.
Jean and Bob Farrer
54 Allotment and Leisure Gardener