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Worthing and District Allotments and Gardens AssociationAffiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and the National Vegetable SocietyOLD RAMBLINGSOld items of general gardening concern are printed here.We'd
be happy to hear about anything of interest you've come across.
It might be an impending event, something happening you'd like
to share with us, an exciting web page you think we should have
a link to or a story you'd like to tell.
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Allotment Best-Seller books law
The Local Government Association has an unexpected best seller on its hands - "Growing in the Community". Priced at £25 (£15 to allotmenteers) it is flying off the shelves from its online store at www.lga.gov.uk. The book covers planning laws, rents, setting up allotment associations, health and safety and allotment law (including the consequences of the 1908 Allotments Act), setting out the case for local authorities to press for more space for allotments with every new housing development.
Environment board chairman, Paul Bettison, said, "At a time when food prices are rising, demand for organic food is on the up and we're facing an obesity epidemic, the benefits of allotments are clear. They help to keep people fit and healthy and can help cut the weekly shopping bill." But we knew that, didn't we?
Slug Pellets and Hedgehogs - a Heartfelt Plea wildlife
Friends and neighbours, I am sure none of you would intentionally torture and kill a wild animal, but, possible inadvertantly, someone has. Have you been using slug pellets? This morning a beautiful fit plump healthy hedgehog was lying on our lawn unable to stand and every so often writhing in pain. This has continued all day (it is now 7 p.m.). Perhaps I should have had the guts to smash its brains in - but I could not bring myself to do this. My husband placed it in the shade under some hydrangeas. Did you realise if you feed slug pellets to slugs, their predators also get poisoned? That includes hedgehogs, toads and frogs - all friends to the gardener. The death they suffer is brought about by their intestines being dissolved away - a horribly painful, long, lingering death.
Please, please, please do not use slug pellets. This is the third time we have had to endure this spectacle. Needless to say, we never use slug pellets. My method of removing slugs if they get too bad is to go out after dark with a torch (there are plenty around at that time) and I steel myself to squash them as I feel this is the quickest and most humane death available. Alternatively, beer traps can be effective. If we could only build up the population of hedgehogs again I am certain the slug problem would improve dramatically - but it needs a concerted effort by us all not to use these poisons. Do you think in the circumstances it is at least worth a try and everyone should agree No Slug Pellets to be used at all in our area?
Celia
Swap Shop
I print here a message from a would-be swapper.
| Hello, I have 2 plots at the West Tarring site. I have just planted
2 rows of Juliette salad potatoes and have run out of space. I have
11 seed potatoes left and I was hoping that you may have a Message
Board on the website where I may be able to advertise to swap some
potatoes for some seedlings or whatever. I look forward to hearing
from you . Best Wishes George Middlehurst |
If you can help George, please get in touch by clicking on the Contact us button.
| If this an acceptable why to communicate unwanted things. I have
the following: Lots of glass panes, some in frames and some not; Pile
of Logs, Some shed panels, Pea Sticks Location: Plot 400. Would really
like some broad bean plants or other seedlings but would be happy
to get rid of the above. Briony |
Get in touch if you can help Briony
| Hello George and fellow allotmenteers, I would be very interested in your potatoes, I would like to pass them on to my Father-in-law. In return I can offer some Cauliflower All Year Round plants x 6. Or Cabbage Greyhound x 6 or perhaps 3 of each. I can also offer some Chilli Plants, Hot Pepper Fuego (Italian Cayenne type), Capsium Twilight (which produce multi-coloured fruits) and Chilli Birds Eye. Would anyone else be interested in swapping a Chilli Fuego and Chilli Birds Eye for something? Kind Regards, Mel Lenihan |
George has now got rid of his potatoes but if you want to trade with Mel just click on the Contact us button and put Mel in the subject line.
Composting
recycling
As we are all aware composting is an effective and environmentally
friendly way of recycling organic waste. For the best composting results
you need to build or buy a special bin. Did you know that if you live
in West Sussex, you can purchase a compost bin, for as little £10.00,
and have it delivered to your door? The County, Borough Councils of West
Sussex have joined forces to promote composting, the scheme, funded by
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) offers a range of composting
bins from only £10.00. To order your compost bin, either telephone 0845
0770757 or order online at www.recyclenow.com/compost.
Please note: maximum of 2 bins per household.
(dearer
model)
Peter
W.
Allotments become fashionable
Allotments have become very popular in recent times - there
are now over 300,000 allotmenteers nationally with a wating list of 
around
100,000. Some places have a waiting list of over 1,000 and Swindon has
a 5-year waiting list. Makes things in Worthing seem not that bad.
How has this state of affairs been reached? Several theories have been
propounded:
-
Food has started to become much more expensive so not only does it draw attention to the fact that home-grown produce can be cheaper but people have less money for expensive recreational activities and look for cheaper pastimes;
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People such as Jamie Oliver have drawn attention to less attractive facets of the food industry and if you've grown it yourself you know what's in it;
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The "organic" trend and its rip-off prices and a realisation that food is supposed to taste good rather than just look good;
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Some authorities got rid of allotment space and sold it off when the demand dropped and can at present not fulfill the needs of those wanting allotments so the waiting list builds up;
-
Modern houses have much smaller gardens than in times past so if you want to do some digging you need an allotment.
Whatever the reasons, companies such as Thompson & Morgan
and Suttons report they are now selling more vegetable seeds than flower
seeds which is a definite turnaround from a few years ago. Apparently
the most popular grow-your-owns are:
beans, carrots, fruit, garlic, herbs, onions, peas, potatoes, salads and
tomatoes (not necessarily in that order).
Of course, this time of year, Easter, is traditionally the start of the
gardening year and we're all supposed to get our potatoes in on Good Friday
but Easter is very early this year and it's a mite cold in most places
so if'you're waiting for an allotment don't panic - many crops will catch
up after a late start and no matter when you get your plot there is always
something you can be getting on with. (22/03/08) Acknowledgements
to Anita
Worthing Coaches trip to Kew trips excursions
On
Saturday 29th March Worthing Coaches are running a day trip to Kew's Spring
Festival which runs throughout March. The coach leaves at 09.00am and
returns around 6.30pm. Entrance fee is included and at the moment Kew
also have an exhibition of Henry Moore statues on display. Not bad for
£22 all in, is it? For more about Kew and their events click
here.
Top of Page
New plot to cut allotment wait waiting lists
Town hall bosses are to consider asking
developers to provide allotments in return for planning permission on
large housing projects. Brighton and Hove City Council, which runs 2,300
plots at 37 sites, closed its waiting list after the number of applicants
reached 1,700. In parts of the city applicants may have to wait up to
five years for a plot to become available. Geoffrey Theobald, chairman
of the council's environment committee, said the council was reviewing
the allotments service to see if improvements could be made. He said it
would consider asking developers to provide allotment space in certain
circumstances. He said: "With more people living in high density housing,
allotments are now vital spaces for outdoor physical exercise and contact
with nature, as well as for local, healthy food growing. "In Brighton
and Hove, the number of people wanting an allotment has jumped dramatically
as more people recognise the opportunities they offer. "Providing contributions
towards allotments as part of a Section 106 agreement is something the
council would consider if it were appropriate."
(10/03/08)
Matt
Ellis
To see the entire article on Brighton's idea, click here.
Seed Swap
We're a bit late with this news unfortunately. Last Sunday
was Seedy Sunday at Hove Town Hall. "What is Seedy Sunday?"
I hear you ask - only the country's biggest community seed swapping event!
And it's held every year in our area. It has been going since 2002 and
is run entirely by volunteers, enthusiasts who are determined to try and
conserve seed varieties the commercial companies can no longer be bothered
with. This year over 1,000 people attended the event. For more details,
see their website. Reading about
it reminded me of a suggestion made by one of our members that perhaps
we could start an online seed swap here. If you're interested drop us
a line and we'll see if we can get it off the ground. After all we nearly
always have too many seeds/seedlings of one particular sort and perhaps
we could swap with someone else who has a different glut. Waste not, want
not.
(08/02/2008)
Acknowledgements
to Peter
Plastic Bottle Greenhouse
Can you believe somebody has come up with a greenhouse made of plastic bottles? Don't believe me? Click here! Just think how you could do your bit for recycling, over 500 bottles at a time. (05/02/08) Thanks, Matt
Timber Worthing
Most
of you will have heard of the misfortunes of the stricken vessel "Ice
Prince" and its load of timber. Much of this has now been washed
ashore along the South coast and a good deal of it on Worthing beach which
has now theoretically been closed to the public to prevent scavenging.
I say "theoretically" as there was no sign of any police or
security presence at 9 o'clock this morning, just several people taking
photographs. No one appeared to be taking wood although there was plenty
of it about, not just on the beach either as some appeared to have blown
over the wall on to the grass at the bottom of George V Avenue and one
or two pieces were on the road in Marine Parade. (Perhaps someone is coming
back later to pick them up as they were very tidily arranged!)Nevertheless
there was no sign of the mass pilfering witnessed previously in the South-West
which just goes to show what basically honest folk the citizens of Worthing
are (or slow).
For more (and bigger) pictures click here.
Rhubarb Holiday
You couldn't make this up but it might appeal to some of you looking to shake off those winter blues. The General Tarleton Inn in Ferrensby, North Yorkshire is doing a special "Rhubarb Weekend" break for all you rhubarb lovers out there. For £230 per room you get 2 nights' B&B, a rhubarb-themed menu, a visit to a local rhubarb grower and your own pack of fresh rhubarb to compare with your own efforts. For more info', ring: 01423-340284 or visit their website on www.generaltarleton.co.uk. Me, I think I'll stick to the Association Dinner and the Dutch Bulbfield trip.
Business and Nature
Alan Titchmarsh filming on the roof of the Rolls-Royce plant at Goodwood.
Did you see Alan Titchmarsh in "Nature of Britain" in the
telly when he was at the Rolls-Royce plant at Goodwood? He was showing
and talking about the eight acre "living roof" over the factory where
a number of breeding pairs of skylarks now nest. The manufacturing plant
has been designed to blend into the environment, with the sedum "living
roof" making it difficult to detect where
the boundaries lie between the buildings and their surroundings. The effect
is further enhanced by sustainably sourced cedar wood cladding on the
buildings. In addition to skylarks, other birds feeding on the roof have
included linnet, meadow pipit and pied wagtail. A lake at the main entrance
to the courtyard is a key part of the water-management system as well
as a striking feature and attracts a wide variety of aquatic birds. Species
that have been seen here include grey heron, mallard, coot, moorhen, Canada
goose, mute swan, yellow hammer, corn bunting, whitethroat, blackbird,
song thrush, green woodpecker and grey partridge. Over 400,000 trees and
shrubs have been planted to screen the buildings and encourage a rich
biodiversity of flora and fauna species into the area. Isn't it nice to
see that such a big, commercial enterprise is doing its bit for wildlife?
So come on the rest of you big firms - follow the example of Rolls-Royce.
Halloween
Yes, there could be a lot of them about at this time of year but is this all pumpkins are good for? Recently I've seen several articles telling us not to throw the rest of the pumpkin away as they are full of goodness and can be made into delicious pumpkin pie or pumpkin soup. Have you ever met anybody who's done that? I don't believe it, as Victor used to say. Meanwhile here is another picture showing you a much more amusing way to use up all those pumpkins, nothing else has been used in the construction of this monster.
Acknowledgements to Ken (2007)
Tips
Things are winding down a bit now and the mind turns towards tidying up and preparing for next season but there are plenty of jobs we should be getting on with now. Here's a few ideas:
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If you're into green manuring it's OK to sow winter tares now for digging in in the Spring
-
October is the usual time for sowing broad bean varieties such as Aquadulce but you can sow in Spring
-
Grease bands around the trunks of fruit trees are usually applied in October to dicourage codling moth
-
How's your lawn? Now's a good time to scarfy it and give it an autmn feed if you want it to look good next year
-
August is a good time for planting daffodil bulbs but now will do. Tulips normally go in October/November
-
September is the best time to trim your evergreen hedges but I can't believe a week or two later will do much harm
-
Lots of leaves falling now so might be a good idea to net your pond so they don't fall in
-
Time to bring in your tender plants before a sudden frost shows you how tender they are
-
Lift and pot up rooted strawberry runners from vigorous plants
Vandalism
I suppose we all fear vandalism - broken glass, trashed or stolen produce, anti-social behaviour and so on - and we all have to be vigilant about such things as locking the gate, but these beggars can also get in over, under or through the wire netting and we have been warned against using barbed wire. I hereby include a message from Louise who says:
| Note for the Ramblings section. Did anyone else have glass broken on their greenhouse recently and was given a number to contact the police for them never to call back after leaving several mesages? |
This particular incident was on the West Tarring site but we'd like to know of incidents on any of our sites and what the police response has been. get in touch and lets us know.
A Glut of Produce? recipe
Yes, they're all coming at once - carrots, courgettes, cabbages, runner beans, raspberries, etc., etc. So here's a couple of tips to use up what you don't eat or give away.
Courgettes. Did you know you can freeze courgettes? All you need to do is cut them into 1cm slices (half an inch), blanch for 2 minutes, cool, drain and dry them then make them up into polythene bags and stick in the freezer. Easy!
On with the Show schedule
Yes, it will soon be on us and the schedules are available right now from your Association Stores. To help those new to competition Jack includes an insert entitled Helpful Hints for Exhibitors which is reproduced here.
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FLOWERS Quality of blooms and freshness are important points.
Aphids should be removed. Flowers should be cut in the cool of the
evening preceding the Show, immediately placed up to their necks
in water and kept in a cool place overnight. Choose those that are
not fully developed - they will expand by morning and retain their
freshness longer. The use of moss or newspaper is allowed to pack
the vases so that the stalks remain upright. The above are extracts from the NAFAS Competitors Manual 2001. |
VEGETABLES Root vegetables should be carefully washed to
remove soil; do not use a brush as it will damage the skin. On other
kinds, retain the bloom.
FRUIT The appearance of all fruit is enhanced by its natural
bloom. Do not polish the fruit. Where applicable the stalks should
always point away from the front of the table.
COOKERY Jars of jam and marmalade must have
cellophane or cling film covers with wax discs. Chutney can
have metal tops but these must be plain without makers' names, etc.
Make sure the jars are clean with clearly labelled contents and
FULL TO THE TOP.
(2007 show) |
Help! 
I wonder if you can help me. My friend asked me to have a look at his runner beans as something is eating them as soon as they begin to form. I went along to see him this morning but am baffled. The beans appear to be healthy with plenty of flowers but there is not a single formed bean but instead a bare stalk (Please see picture). There is no evidence of birds or mice in the form of droppings and he has put slug pellets at the bottom of the plants. There is a tree branch however touching the top of the frame. Any help would be gratefully appreciated.
problems beans MS
Well, come on what do you think? I could only think of slugs and watering - both discounted, so what do yoe experts out there reckon it is?
Top of Page
From Bad to Good
Looking round the other day I thought it was a shame there are still some uncultivated, neglected and abandoned plots around but I must confess there seem to be fewer than there was a while ago. I understand wheels have been set in motion and the council, Continental Landscapes and the overseers are on the warpath. So if you're upset, annoyed or aggravated by such plots near you, don't just moan, tell somebody who matters, somebody who'll do something or me if you like and we'll see if we can get some of those people still on the waiting list an allotment for them to work on. In the meantime, here are a couple of shots of the same plot showing just what can be achieved.
Before After
Flaming June
Well, it's not got off to a bad start, has it? The Germans have a saying - in fact I think they have several - but the one I'm concerned with says: if it's hot on the 27th June then we're in for a hot summer. I tend to think that by the 27th June summer's nearly over but, be that as it may, there's no doubting things are getting a move on now and we have to do our best to keep up so here's a few seasonal tips.
* The next couple of months is a good time to sow biennial old favourites such as forget-me-not, foxglove and
bellis. You can either sow them direct where you want or in a special bed and then move them to their final position as soon as they're big enough, usually around September.
*Some say you get a better display from tulips if you lift them after the foliage has died down and then keep the bulbs dry and cool before replanting in Autumn. I leave mine in but they're no show-stoppers.
* From now on citrus plants such as oranges, lemons and limes need a weekly feed if the leaves are not to lose their healthy green colour.
* How's your leeks doing? Now's the time to start thinking about planting them out in 6" (15cm) deep holes six inches apart (12" between rows). Just water them in well and keep filling up the holes with water - the soil will gradually fill the holes itself. Keep the bed weedfree and earth up if you want long white stems. (You can earth up brassicas as well if you like)
Top of Page
Allotment stars in film
Yes, perhaps you remember I mentioned this before but at that time I didn't know the name of the film. Now, thanks to Neil P, I do. It's called "Grow Your Own" and is released on the 15th June. It's about a group of asylum seekers given a plot on an allotment site to help them integrate. Reports say it is very entertaining, sometimes funny sometimes sad, but certainly worth going to see.
Olympics v Allotments 
A bit of info I (Matt) just received
Manor Gardens - epetition reply
25 April 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Incorporate rather than demolish Manor Garden Allotments within the 2012 Olympic site."
Details of petition:
"100 year old Manor Garden Allotments lies in the middle of the Olympic Park site. These beautiful, productive vegetable gardens are due to be demolished to make way for a four-week footpath during the 2012 Games despite the land being given in perpetuity. A campaign is underway to protect the allotments and encourage a more imaginative Olympic development which includes this special place with its healthy, green lifestyles and vibrant community."
* Read
the petition
* Petitions home page
Read the Government's response here
The Government is aware that this is a very sensitive issue and the decision to relocate the allotments was not one that was taken lightly. However, it is necessary for the allotments to be relocated if London is to deliver the Olympic Park for the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the long-term plan for the regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley.
The current site of the Manor Garden allotments is in the heart of the Olympic Park and ground levels at the allotment site will need to change by up to 6 metres. These level changes will form part of the flood risk management of the Lower Lea Valley and create a natural area of reed beds and wildlife habitat. The area the allotments occupy will also be in the middle of what will be a huge construction site for the next few years and it would therefore not be possible for the allotment holders to continue their activities in this environment. It would also not be possible for the allotment holders to have access to the site because it needs to be completely secure.
The space currently occupied by the allotments will form part of a circulation and access area during the 2012 Games. This area is vital for the movement, safety and security of the public during the Games. After the Games it will be one of the key connections in the area, acting as part of the link between the green spaces of the Lea Valley Regional Park, Hackney Marsh and the Olympic Park.
Following the 2012 Games there is a commitment to reinstate at least the same number of allotments within the Legacy Park and all current Manor Garden allotment holders will be offered one of these new allotments. In the meantime the London Development Agency (LDA), which is responsible for assembling the land for the Olympic Park, is working with the allotment holders to try to relocate the Manor Garden society for the period running up to the Games. To achieve this, the LDA has submitted a planning application that, if approved, will allow the creation of new allotments within 1 mile of the existing site.
Matt E
Bees and Mobile Phones
There's been a lot of speculation recently about the lack
of bees, with reports from bee-keepers that large parts of their 
colonies
have just disappeared, not died just vanished. The problem was first reported
in America and given the name Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). The vanished
bees are never found and predators which would normally steal the honey
will not go near the empty hives. The West coast of America has lost 60%
of its bees and the East coast 70%. No one knows what causes it but the
University of Landau (Germany) has now come up with the theory that modern
technology such as mobile phones may be to blame because the radiation
emitted confuses the bees' navigation system. In experiments bees would
not enter hives with a mobile phone. So there you have it: if you get
no fruit this year it's your fault for using you mobile phone. Ban them
from the allotment!
Thanks to Joe for bringing this to our attention.
Posh Allotments from Harrods
Well, you wouldn't believe it, would you? Harrods are now doing allotments.
Not only have they got one on their roof but for a slight fee (?) they
will now design your allotment for you. What is the point? I mean, if
you can't even be bothered to work out what you're going to grow and where
you're going to put what, are you ever going to get round to things like
digging, planting and weeding? Or do they supply a little man who does
that for you as well? * You might just as well buy the
produce from Harrods in the first place. What next - ferrets and whippets?
I believe they already sell the flat caps which are now very desirable
items for your wealthy young fashionistas. They can buy my 3 if they like;
they must be authentic as I inherited 2 of them.
If you can't believe such tosh, it's in today's Telegraph
and on the Harrods website.
*(Yes, they do actually!)
Top of Page
Characters
There are some pretty interesting characters and groups on our allotment sites. Did you know there is a group on one site that grows native trees and then sends them out to create new woodlands? Marvellous, isn't it? I asked them exactly what they do. They are called The Worthing Millennium Woodland Group and this is what they said:
The aims of the group are to create and develop woodland with a mix of local and indigenous trees, shrubs and flora, maintaining genetic intregity as far as possible; and to provide shelter and food sources for a wide range of small mammals, birds, butterflies and insects so developing ecological diversity.
In 1998 five local residents obtained permission from Worthing Borough Council to take over an unused and overgrown plot in the West Tarring allotment site and develop it into a tree nursery. The members of the Allotment Association were consulted and they too agreed with the concept. Seeds from local indigenous species are collected and grown in pots for about twelve months. They are then transferred to the Tree Nursery for a further twelve to eighteen months when the saplings are then taken out to sites to create new woodland.
The success led to the offer of an adjoining allotment
plot in 2003 and this has now become part of the "nursery".
The first plantings from the nursery helped create the Millennium Wood
at Hill Barn and nearly a thousand trees have been planted over the years
at that site and about a further eight hundred saplings in seven other
sites in and around the town. In 2004 and 2005 the group were awarded
Certificates of Excellence by the South and South East in Bloom organisation.
Peter
Fry, Worthing Millennium Woodland Group
Re the Bins:
With regards to your comments about the bin situation it is truly terrible. I noticed at the West Tarring site today someone has dumped a rotary drier and a television aerial. I'm sure these are not things someone has tried to recyle for use on their plots but just dumped. Someone must have seen who is doing this?
from Lou and Matt
They're right, someone must have seen something. Come on, grass them up here. You don't have to give your name.
John the Webspider
Top of Page
Where have all the birdies gone?
The RSPB reported that fewer birds were spotted on their Big Bird Day, or whatever it's called. My garden would tend to support this; the bird feeders are going down more slowly and there are still loads of berries on the holly. They didn't even polish off all my crab apples. The RSPB opines that it may be a consequence of the mild weather i.e. the birds have been able to find enough food without coming in to gardens. What do you think?
from John N
There I was on my allotment the other day when a fresh load of manure
was delivered to the car park. Like a swarm of locusts we were on it.
As is inevitable with such gatherings, a merry banter swiftly ensued,
though not all of it merry. You see, officially all 1,000 or so allotment
plots in Worthing are taken and the waiting list topped the 100 mark,
so "How come," said one of my fellow shovellers, "the plot
next to mine has been vacant for ages? The bloke actually left the country
6 months ago!"
"Oh, that's nothing," quips another,
"the one next to mine was taken on a year ago. The bloke spent one
day on it and has never been seen since!"
Yes, it is annoying, isn't it? Especially
if you know someone who hasn't been able to get a plot but we weren't
actually doing much about it, were we? And we don't know if the problem
is that widespread - but we'd like to know.
Officially, if a site remains uncultivated
you should inform your overseer, or Continental Landscapes, or the council
but if, for whatever reason, you don't fancy that, then get in touch with
me here. Just click the "Contact us" button and send me an e-mail.
Give me details of the plot (a number would help!) and I'll investigate
and see what can be done. (Worthing area only!) Rest assured, your anonanymity
will be respected if you wish - no names revealed. There, I got that off
my chest!
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ALLOTMENT STARS IN MAJOR FILM
Did you know there's a feature film coming out this year starring an allotment site? Yes, it's true I tell you. I saw it on Gardeners' World and Monty Don wouldn't tell a lie. Mind you, he didn't tell us the name of the film either which wasn't very helpful. I'll tell you if I find out or perhaps you know and could reveal all by sending us an e-mail.
Talking of allotments and Gardeners' World, Monty Don also said there's around 250,000 allotments in the country at the moment. Sounds pretty impressive except there were around 1.5 million at the end of the Second World War. They are disappearing but the National Society for Allotments and Leisure Gardeners is doing its best to halt/slow down this trend. They say local authorities trying to get rid of allotments must consult allotment holders and if just 6 residents write to a local authority they must give an explanation as to why the land is deemed surplus to requirements. So, stand by your pens!
YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN ALLOTMENT TO BE A MEMBER
AND
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO ENJOY THESE PAGES
BUT
WE'D LOVE IT IF YOU WERE
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