Allotments throw open their gates
To many they’re a well kept secret; to others they are part and parcel of their daily lives – both demanding and rewarding in equal measure.
Paddock Allotments, on Cannon Hill Common, were opened up to the public on 12 and 13 June, 2010, as part of the Open Garden Squares Weekend. MotspurPark.info enjoyed a lovely cooked breakfast there and met several keen allotment-holders who were tending their crops.
Many varieties
There are around 150 allotments set in 5½ acres surrounded by trees. Some plots resemble English cottage gardens, others are typical allotments. Many varieties of flowers, fruit and vegetables are grown.
One of the first people to greet us was the general secretary, Ruth Whitehead, who told us the allotments would be opening for charity on 24 July as part of the National Gardens Scheme ‘Yellow Book’ open days. “Don’t forget to make a date in your diary,” she said. Treasurer Yvonne Sharp and Chairlady Jean Hancock were also on hand to ensure this particular open event went smoothly.
After the tasty fried breakfast – veggie and meat options available – cooked by Beryl and delivered by Audrey to our table in the gazebo, one of the first allotment-holders that your reporting team met was Jeannie Wall, from Mitcham.
Sociable crowd
“It’s wonderful here, a very sociable crowd” said Jeannie. “We have bridge on Mondays, at 7.30pm, with normally about seven tables. There are also outings, and barbecues, and breakfast every Sunday.
“On Wednesdays we have a craft afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. If people want to, they can do painting or knitting, or whatever they fancy. It’s a very good crowd. The trading shop here is also open on Saturday afternoons, and we’ve got the car park, which is good.”
Jeannie’s plot is four rods (one rod being around 25 square metres) “I’ve been here about four to five years. We all pick each other’s brains. We help each other out. I’m still a learner – one step forward and two backwards.”
Get the habit
Mick McGrath, of Meadow Close, who has been looking after a five-rod plot for about four years, was tending to his strawberries. “It’s a very very nice group of people here,” he said. “The plot takes a lot of watering – every evening in dry weather. You need to get into the habit of coming up here.”
Tony Sheahan, of Northway, Morden, a retired architect who used to work for the Met Police, has also had his plot for about four years. “Five rods is about enough to handle,” he said. “You’ve got to enjoy it. The more you work at it, the more it pays off. I love growing strawberries, including wild strawberries, and rhubarb. And I’m growing three different types of potato.”
Tony explained how to avoid potato blight. “Start spraying from the last week in June. And when they flower, you’ll know the potatoes will be ready to harvest about a month later.”
Prize grower
Former Rolls Royce test engineer Peter Kyriacou, 83, and his wife Maria, of nearby Elm Walk, started back in 1975 with a five-rod plot, then got a second one in 1983. “I had 15 rods at one time and I won a few prizes for vegetables,” said Peter. “I’m proud of my dwarf beans, carrots, beetroot, aubergines and green peppers.
“I’m delighted with my Italian beans, and lovely desiree potatoes, with the red skins, and white-skinned Kara potatoes are very good.
“I’ve only just finished using my potatoes from last year – I keep them up in the loft over winter,” he added.
John Frewin, of Tudor Drive, who used to run a chain of food shops with his brother and wife, was unaware of the Paddock Allotments until about 11 years ago when his wife spotted a poster. “I’d not been here before, I didn’t know it existed,” he said. “My wife saw an open day advertised. That was 11 years ago. I’ve now had the plot for ten years.”
Get on the list
John added: “For anyone interested in getting a plot should get their name on the waiting list, which is about 18 months or so – not as bad as Camden allotments, where the wait is 100 years. Or Bushey Park, where they’ve closed the waiting list.
“We’re a mixed bag. There are builders and all sorts,” he added. “But we all help each other out. People offer to water for you, that sort of thing, but not in an intrusive way.
“When I announced I was going to get a plot my children said that I was going gaga. It is a big thing to take on. But, of course, they’re here helping me now.”
Finally we met Cynthia Hatcher, of Northway, who explained that as well as freezing excess produce, or making jams, many allotment-keepers also exchange vegetables on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.
NGS ‘Yellow Book’ Open Gardens day,
Saturday, 24 July, 2010
Paddock Allotments is one of only three allotments in London allowed to take part in the well-respected NGS open days. Admission £3, children free. Open for charity. Paddock Allotments & Leisure Gardens, Heath Drive (off Parkway), Raynes Park, SW20 9HE, noon to 5pm.
Merton in Bloom competition
Closing date for application is Friday, 2 July, 2010. For more details click here.
External links:
Paddock Allotments satellite photo
Merton in Bloom Competition
The National
Gardens Scheme
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A tasty cooked breakfast before starting to explore the allotments
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Elephant garlic in a raised bed; Jeannie Wall looks after her beans
Mick McGrath ensures his strawberry crop is well watered
Colourful blooms are a treat for the eye, ensuring it’s not all green veg
Tony Sheahan: “You’ve got to enjoy it.”; Veteran grower Peter Kyriacou
In his greenhouse, John Frewin; colourful show, Cynthia Hatcher
Some growers go for colour, above, while others take a very precise approach to their plot, above right. The trading hut, below, is a great source of useful items at low prices. The poster for the NGS opening of the Paddock Allotments & Leisure Gardens, 24 July, 2010
Treasurer Yvonne Sharp and general secretary Ruth Whitehead
