Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 1 of 20 Wandsworth parks and open spaces are managed by Enable Parks on behalf of Wandsworth Council. Enable Parks: Allotment Updates, March 2018 Image: Garratt Park Allotment. Credit John Hooper Hello and welcome to the Allotment Updates! Spring has officially arrived and life is finally returning to the allotments as we emerge out of what feels like a very long winter. The aim of the updates will be to keep you all informed with what's going on with regards to the allotments and to better connect you with the wider allotment community. It will be released biannually, once in the spring and once in the autumn. mhtml:file://C:\Users\drothero\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O... 10/04/2018 Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 2 of 20 This first issue introduces the Enable Parks team, as well as provides an overview of all the sites and site managers. This issue also includes important information about changes to site inspections, as well as an update about allotment waiting lists. There is also a section on gardening tips and trivia, allotment wildlife, and upcoming allotment events. We would love to hear what you think of the Allotment Updates and any recommendations you have. Email your thoughts to [email protected]. Also, a very big thank you to everyone who contributed to this issue. Happy gardening! Meet the Enable Parks Team Enable staff team profiles Anna Costello, Allotments Officer Anna has worked part time for the allotment services for two years and is in the office on a Monday morning and all day on a Thursday. Anna is responsible for managing the ever growing waiting list, letting plots and works with the site managers to upkeep and maintain the sites. Anna attends all the formal site inspections. If you would like to contact Anna please either email her at [email protected] or by telephone on 020 3959 0063. Valerie Selby, Parks Development and Biodiversity Manager Valerie, who managed to escape having her picture taken so we have decided on daffodils as a pictorial representation, has overall responsibility for the management of allotment mhtml:file://C:\Users\drothero\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O... 10/04/2018 Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 3 of 20 sites and the allotment service. Sam Kemp, Horticulture and Infrastructure Officer Sam is responsible for giving advice on infrastructure such as paths and fences. You may see Sam visiting the allotments over the summer with Andrew Green, who is part of the Parks Contracts Management Team, as they become familiar with your sites. Ella Rothero, Participation and Communications Officer Ella has just recently joined the team and will be managing all aspects of 'information in and information out' for Enable's Parks including consultations, surveys, websites, temporary notices and social media. You can contact Ella on her email at [email protected]. Allotment Profiles Beatrix Potter, SW18 Site manager: Mark Hewitt mhtml:file://C:\Users\drothero\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O... 10/04/2018 Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 4 of 20 Credit Mark Hewitt The Beatrix Potter Site is located off Magdelen Road just up from Earlsfield. Situated in the lower Wandle valley the site is characterised by yellow clay overlaid by light sandy loam soil. Initially laid out with 65 five rod plots, the site now offers over 100 smaller plots. Originally the site was arable farmland and was then used as sports field during the First World War. The land has been used for cultivating vegetables since the 1920s when it was managed by the London County Council education movement and was used primarily as test plots. Mark Hewitt says, "I've only been the site manager for a few months having taken over from Margaret who had undertaken the job for a number of years. Margaret is a hard act to follow. Although new to the role of site manager, I have been at the site for over 30 years. In fact, I've been there for so long I have a full plot. It is a very diverse site now with many organic plot holders. It is also good to see children becoming involved with their parents." "When I started we were not allowed to call them allotments because they were 'trial plots'. In those days to obtain a plot you had to join a horticulture class run by the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA). There were classes once a week held in a school and the idea was you had a trial plot to put into effect what you learnt at the class. The reality was I learnt more from reading books and listening to Wally who mhtml:file://C:\Users\drothero\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O... 10/04/2018 Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 5 of 20 had a plot next to me than attending the classes. When the classes were abolished, Wandsworth Council took responsibility for the site. We were then allowed to call them allotments." "Back in the mists of time Beatrix Potter joined with the Sailor Prince Site to form what is now known as the Wandsworth Horticulture Association (WHA). We have a constitution that means we all meet for an Annual General Meeting (AGM) once a year at which we vote in several officers and committee members to run the association until they face the membership the following year. The Committee are responsible for having oversight of the day to day activities of the WHA, but especially the running our annual show which is held in the Earlsfield Baptist Church on the first Saturday in September. Everyone is welcome to attend. This is probably the high point of our season, but we also have an annual BBQ as well as visits to other allotment sites." Garrat Park Allotments, SW18 Site manager: John Hooper and Phil Gardner Credit John Hooper Garratt Park Allotments is the largest allotment site in Wandsworth and borders the River Wandle for half a mile. There are 140 plots on the site, which is split into two by an active rifle range; about 1/3 of the plots are in the north end off Steerforth Street, and 2/3 in the South alongside Garratt Park. Each section also has its own entrance. mhtml:file://C:\Users\drothero\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O... 10/04/2018 Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 6 of 20 The site was originally a garden belonging to the owner of the old Garratt Mill by the Trewint Street bridge. In 1917 the land was turned into allotments to help alleviate the food crisis brought on by the First World War. The original Metropolitan Borough of Wandsworth subsequently acquired the land to use it as a depot, but shortly after it was reverted to allotments because of the Second World War, with allotments spreading to cover much of Garratt Park during this time. John Hooper says,"I have been a lifelong veg gardener from childhood on to the present (I am now 80) and an allotmenteer most of my adult life. I have been on Garratt Park for about 25 years and Site Manager for about 14 years, recently handing over management of the north side of the site to Phil Gardner. I find the site especially attractive as it borders the River Wandle and is tucked in behind Garratt Park. We have a large and varied community with wide ranging ages and cultural backgrounds. With the varied habitat between the park, the allotment site and the river we enjoy a particularly rich variety of birdlife." Herlwyn Gardens Allotments, SW17 Site manager: Dave Cleal Herlwyn Allotments consists of nine plots and is situated in the middle of a small housing estate in Tooting with access only possible by foot. The allotments were formed just after the estate was built in the 1950s. David Cleal says, "On the allotment Jan and I like to grow mostly soft fruit, the usual vegetable suspects and occasional exotic experiments, the last with variable success. Last year it was Ocas. We've been on the site for 12 (or so) years, but which crops work in which year is still quite mysterious to us. When away from the allotment, I write computer programs for a living." King George's Park Allotments, SW18 Site manager: Andrew Puxley With around 56 plots, King George’s Park Allotment is situated between Southfields Academy and the Territorial Army and King George’s Park, with views across the park to the River Wandle. There is a fine and fertile soil as a result of the river alluvium. An unusual feature of the site is that each plot has its own shed. Andrew Puxley has been site manager for around 12 years and has had a plot for about 20 years, managing one of the few remaining four and half rod plots. The plots holders are mostly comprised of local people who live in Southfields and there is a committee of 11 people who meet once a month. It is a very social site with the committee securing a grant last year to convert half a plot into a recreation space. There are several social occasions throughout the year including BBQs in the summer and a Christmas Party. A local church is holding a service in the allotment in June and the allotments provided produce for mhtml:file://C:\Users\drothero\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache\Content.O... 10/04/2018 Enable Parks: Allotment Updates Page 7 of 20 the Abundance Festival held at St Barnabas Church last autumn.