Once was the time……. Friday night was the start of the weekend. Maybe a quick drink after work with friends in the local pub, before ending the night in a local restaurant. That of course was in those long ago days before I met my little Cherub. So, what did I do last Friday night? I went to the annual AGM of the Laleham Allotment Association. Rather different from times of old…
The Agenda was full of the usual items, Apologies, Minutes, Treasurer’s Report (hurrah, cash in the bank), Subscriptions (hurrah, they aren’t going up) etc etc. Richard (the Chairman) said in his review of the year that the weather had not been particularly helpful to the vegetable grower (Thank you, I need all the excuses I can find).. But he seems to say this every year! The highlight of the evening was the award of Honorary Life Membership to Eric Mynott to recognise 54 years membership of the Association. Well done Eric, it’s always a pleasure to see you at the Allotments and pass the time of day with you.
The Allotments are in the centre of Laleham, opposite the Turks Head and the Association was established in 1918. There are about 60 members, each of whom occupies either a full plot (typically 120sq yds or so) or a half plot (work out the size yourself!) I have had a half plot there now for five or six years and I love going there. Once you go through the gate it is like entering another world, the sort of world I grew up in. People are pleasant, friendly and, helpful but fundamentally mind their own business and do not interfere with how you cultivate your plot.
The rules are few and reasonable and by and large they are self-policed. Some of the plots are maintained superbly, and are a real credit to the plot holder. Some are at the opposite end of maintenance scale most are somewhere in the middle – mine included.
When I was a young lad, we had a vegetable patch at home which kept us supplied with fresh fruit and veg through the back half of the year. Vegetable growing seemed relatively easy in those days but I now realise that was because my Dad did most of the heavy digging. It’s not so much fun when you have to do all that yourself! I remember the first meal I had from vegetables grown on my allotment the first year I had it. Sunday lunch, roast lamb, new potatoes and runner beans. Wonderful! Of all the things I grow, the most satisfying is undoubtedly new potatoes. Dig them up, wash, lightly boil and eat within an hour or two with a little butter – fabulous!
What else do I grow (apart from weeds)? Well, this year all my soft fruits did very well as did potatoes, beetroot, globe artichokes and sweet corn.
So, what do I get out of the allotment for all my labours? I get pleasure. Pleasure from just being there in that peaceful world – an antidote to modern life; pleasure and wonder in planting seeds, seeing them germinate and grow into plants;
pleasure from harvesting and eating really tasty food; pleasure from sharing surplus produce with friends and neighbours; pleasure from observing the changing seasons, and pleasure from sharing all this with the other members of the Association. Thanks to all.
I would thoroughly commend having an allotment to anybody. Beware though, they do take time and effort. There is a waiting list for membership of the Laleham Allotment Association, but it is short. If you are interested, why not get in touch with Committee member Donnica. Tel 07545 131448 or email donnicabab@hotmail.com.
by Martin Jones