Tales From The Plot
Plotholders are generally preparing for the start of the new growing season in various ways, whether growing-on seeds at home or in greenhouses, on the plots, or preparing the open ground with well rotted manure or green manure crops and other nutrients, before the soil warms for sowing. On Richards plot, repairs for the new season have kindly been done by a plot neighbour, resurfacing a storm damaged net tunnel.
By way of a change, this months column has some broadly general information about the Syston Allotments. This is because its the time of year when we welcome new members from the waiting list.
It’s that lovely time of year when new life is breathed into the Allotment community. Early spring sees regulars and the newcomers to the allotments begin blending into their feeling of ‘new start’ on the much loved 7 acre site of 122 plots.
To get on the waiting list, just contact the Syston Town Council at any time of year, as they administer the rental, rules and inspections of the allotments. Plots become available year round, but with subs being renewable in January and that being a common time for decisions by outgoing plotholders, early Spring is when the waiting list jiggles its positions most.
Did you know Syston has nurtured the same allotment site for community growing for over 110 years?
It provides an important oasis of green breathing space in the heart of our town. Prior to the allotments, in the early 1900’s, Upper Church Street and nearby land that became the allotments, was covered in orchards called the Knoll. It was divided into plots in order to offer rentable accessible ground to help local families grow food. In 2012, The Syston Allotment Society committee sought modest funding and help from benefactors to restore a small Community Orchard, similarly called ‘The Knoll’ (old English & Norse for small hill / hillock..and Dutch for Turnip/ root vegetable). The Syston site has its own unique heritage ‘Syston White’ plum fruit trees.
On the Syston Allotment website there are some topically seasonal newsletters available with informative articles. These are helpful to newcomers, with tips to understand the ground they have become custodians of, as well as learning about their new arrival in the historical and agricultural heart of Syston.
Sometimes in May, there is a ‘Plant Stall’ day in the town centre precinct, where plotholders sell early surplus vegetable, plug and companion plants to the public.
There is usually a popular Allotment Open Day in early August. This is the only day that Produce harvests may be for sale at the allotments. (We have nearby local grocery and farm shops for the purchase of quality veg).
Being part of the allotments is a friendly, ‘all ages’ community of local individual or community group growers, with varying expertise. Some plot holders have been there over 60 years, others are learners. Most have decent knowledge to get started and thrive. All have responsibility to properly care for their plot consistently without neglect.
Through good traditional word of mouth and personal contact, the sharing of information, ideas and mingling is part of the fun. A noticeboard and Facebook help with practical networking.
Many of us of course already know the perks of ‘growing our own’ :-
- Of the positive mental and physical health impacts of growing food (whether we are able or less abled, experienced or not, or seeking community or quiet space).
- About enhancing our environmental knowledge, responsibility and practices, such as upcycling, recycling and reusing.
- Or about the trends / issues that come and go with gardening habits and new techniques via various media platforms –
- but many of us don’t have the place to ‘action’ this practical creativity individually, which is why allotments or local Community Groups such as Grow Give Live or Millfield Forest Garden can be so useful and inspiring. The latter groups offer volunteer gardening, learning or creative activities which can be fantastic opportunities for the practical and social side of growing food and gaining skills and meeting others while waiting for, or instead of, the enjoyable commitment of an allotment. We need our local councils to continue support for such new initiatives, and thank them for maintaining the traditions of caring about our Syston allotments and green space, which can benefit so many people and help Well Being in our community.
Kate H. Syston Allotments
