There’s an allotment boom but garden space is blooming hard to find..
IT’S the turf war you’d least expect — a battle to get to top of the local allotment group list. People of all ages and backgrounds are increasingly keen to get down and dirty as waiting lists for the garden spaces spiral out of control.
The new generation of plot-holders include hipster-types and families who can wait up to 20 years to become a group member. Marie McPhellim, secretary of the privately-owned Pollok Country Allotments in Glasgow, said she has plot-holders ranging from their early 20s to their 90s. She said: “There are a lot of young people showing an interest these days and I think a lot of it’s got to do with TV. “What a lot of people don’t realise is that it’s really hard work as well. But it grows on you.” We spoke to the group’s enthusiasts to find out why the allotment scene has become so alluring.
Shena
SHENA has been a plot-holder for 28 years and counts her allotment as her pride and joy.The former art teacher gets to showcase her creative side with her colourful garden and spends four days a week perfecting it. She says: “When I got my allotment at first I lived in a flat and didn’t have any outdoors but I fancied gardening so I got an allotment. “I have a big garden now but I wouldn’t give up my allotment. Funnily enough I quite like my own garden but I love my allotment more.
“I had a detached retina in my eye this year and I couldn’t bend or stoop so it was very difficult to do my allotment. But everybody else dug things for me and I painted the hut.” Shena admits it can get competitive when it comes to making allotments look beautiful but said it’s a great way to meet new people. She adds: “You get people from all walks of life who come here. “The younger folk are more into this organic idea with food and I think that’s why a lot of them are now getting involved as you see it a lot in TV and magazines. “It’s your own space but you’re also meeting a range of people. “People don’t break the rules because it’s pretty scrupulous — you can be expelled if you break them.”
Isabel
ISABEL, from Pollokshaws in Glasgow, says: “You come down here some days and you don’t want to talk to anyone so you just do your own thing. “But there are other days when you do nothing else but chat to the others. “There have been a few times after I’ve had bad news that I’ve come here to take my mind off things. “When you come to an open day and there’s nice weather it looks like paradise. But there’s a lot of work you have to put in for allotments.”
Kate
KATE, of Shawlands, is one of the youngest members of the group. The nurse says she loves the “tranquillity” of spending time at the allotments and believes it’s becoming a growing trend for young people. She says: “I think people are taking a lot more interest in where their food comes from so they want to grow their own vegetables rather than buying them from the supermarket. “It’s also a good way to escape. I love the tranquillity and how quiet it is. It’s quite nice to just have your garden there and not to be disturbed — you can’t be called into your house because the telephone’s going. “It’s a bit trendy at the moment. One of the guys that I work with has taken an interest as well. There are a lot of people chatting about having an allotment. “The vegan lifestyle has become quite cool as well so I think that has a lot to do with it.”
Allan
ALLAN is Pollok Country Allotments’ oldest plot-holder and has been a member for almost 40 years. Although he admits to finding it tiring at times, he’s adamant it’s what has kept him living for so long. When he started in the group it cost him a mere five shillings every year to rent a plot. He said: “I live in a flat across the road so it gives me something to do and it’s also good for relaxation. “At one time we didn’t have many people — there were a lot of empty plots, so we extended the area to try to make money. “I’m here every other day — when you retire there’s nothing else to do so it keeps you busy. “My father had an allotment and that gave me the idea. After the war I decided to get a plot and I’ve been here ever since. “People watch programmes on the TV about gardening and they want to do this but it’s a lot of hard work. But it keeps you fit and healthy and it’s a good way to meet people.”
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