2 The history of 's allotments The history of Leicester's allotments 3

Leicester has over 40 allotment The Labourer’s Friend be otherwise than good, both in moral and Wheatsheaf Boot and Shoe Works on 2 sites with more than 3,000 plots, physical respect to the occupants’. Knighton Fields Road and the Leicester Gas This movement had its origins in the Department, operating on a co-operative most of which are managed by In the following year the Deputies of the countryside, where changes in agriculture basis ‘to establish comradeship, to create a town’s Freemen also acquired powers to local allotment societies and others from the late 18th century reduced the community of interests and to spread a spirit plough, dig and break up part of Freeman’s directly by . amount of land available for cultivation by of mutual helpfulness’. The surplus from the Common to provide allotments at a rent of Home grown food, healthy open rural labourers. As well as providing outdoor ‘superabundance’ of fruit and vegetables ‘no more than one farthing’ a square yard.3 exercise and a better diet, allotments that its members soon produced was offered air exercise and the company of were seen as benefitting the morals of the The number of allotments increased after an to neighbours ‘who appreciate it so much like-minded people from different labouring classes by reducing drunkenness Act of Parliament in 1887 which obliged local that they are ready to pay more for what social and cultural backgrounds are and crime, increasing self-esteem, and authorities to make land available where they know is absolutely fresh than they avoiding the social consequences of just some of the benefits enjoyed the demand could not be met by private would give to the street-hawker’.6 by allotment holders, both past ‘recklessness and despair’. landlords. This encouraged the formation Twentieth century expansion and present. Land for allotments was often provided by of allotment societies in turn. Some of the gentry and clergy, or from charitable the earlier ones were the South Leicester The Small Holdings and Allotments Act of Allotments are also part of a funds, but by the 1840s they were also Allotment Society, consisting of holders 1908 led to a new expansion in allotments by movement with an interesting a feature of urban areas. The Leicester of allotments on Freeman’s Common, allowing local authorities to borrow money history of its own, originating in the Labourer’s Friend Society, part of a national Road and Victoria Road; and to provide for those who desired them. The movement founded in the 1830s, was the East Leicester Allotment Society, which demand was such that the Corporation had 19th century, playing a crucial established in 1842 at a time of serious rented land in St Margaret’s parish.4 difficulty finding enough land ‘in all respects role in maintaining the nation’s food depression in trade. suitable for the purposes for which the future By the 1890s Rev Joseph Montague Harris supplies during both World Wars, owners or occupiers require it’ within a Its ‘Cottage Garden and Allotment Plan’ of English Martyrs church was also providing and remaining an essential part of reasonable distance of the town.’7 aimed to alleviate ‘the soul sickening and allotment gardens opposite the Bede the life of the city today. heart-harrowing unhappiness in our country, Meadow Bathing Station - but not in the most flowing from the deadly fountain of poverty’, tranquil of surroundings: the bathers were 1 Mercury, 28 May 1842 2 and to provide an alternative to charity or Leicestershire Mercury, 20 April 1844 said to be ‘bathing without a bathing dress… 3 Act of Parliament 30 June 1845 poor relief for working men ‘willing and and running about the gardens in a state of 4 Leicestershire Mercury, 29 March 1856; anxious’ to support themselves by their own nudity… they dress and undress by the side 14 April 1855 labour. The secretary of the local society was of the river in full view of the allottees’.5 5 Borough of Leicester, Parks and Recreation William Burden, a self-educated framework Grounds Committee, 6 September 1893 Many of these societies had middle class 6 Aylestone Allotments and Leisure Gardens Society knitter who was also one of the leaders of history - 1 patrons, but in 1901 the Aylestone Allotments the Chartist movement in the town. www.aylestoneallotments.org/ (28 July2018) and Leisure Gardens Society was formed 7 Borough of Leicester, Estate (Small Holdings) The Borough Corporation leased land to by a small group of people from the CWS Sub-committee, 11 December 1907 the society for cultivation, including a plot in Gaol Lane in the area of Highcross Street. In 1844, ‘during leisure hours, the men may be Allotments were seen as benefitting the morals of the seen working, digging, planting, and sowing labouring classes by reducing drunkenness and crime, their little plots of land with industry and an increasing self-esteem, and avoiding the social consequences ardour that prove how highly they value the boon, if the opportunity of working hard of ‘recklessness and despair’. can be called a boon. The results cannot 4 The history of Leicester’s allotments The history of Leicester’s allotments 5

It advertised in local newspapers for Allottees were also prohibited from erecting holders were encouraged to keep poultry to give at least six months notice to owners of land willing to sell or lease, used summer houses, huts or other buildings, and rabbits for food. Around 200 tons of quit, expiring on or before 6 April or 29 some of its own land on the Old Belgrave or keeping pigs and poultry on land not other crops were produced in 1917, thanks September in any year, but allotment land Sewage Farm for the purpose, and rented designated for these purposes.12 Members of to the ‘splendid patriotism of the working continued to be acquired for these purposes around 200 acres from the Earl of Dysart.8 the Corporation usually served as Trustees men of Leicester who took up this work of in the inter-war period. Allotment holders Applicants were invited to satisfy themselves of the societies and took an active part in augmenting their food supply’. given notice to quit on the estate ‘as to the desirability of the land with regard them, attending annual shows and speaking in 1927 solved this particular problem by As the Corporation also noted, while not to situation and suitability of soil’ before at dinners or other events acquiring other land on a permanent basis formally members of allotment societies, taking it on, and representatives of the - as reflected, in the name of their new Lending a hand on the land ‘the women of the town too have had their allottees were appointed to liaise with the organisation, the Leicester City Permanent share in this work of digging and planting sub-committee responsible for the scheme.9 Before the First World War around 60% Allotment Society. The Corporation itself also their own special plots’, as well as tending of Britain’s food was imported. Once the set aside land for allotments on some of the Most new allotments were around one acre those of male relatives who had war started, more land was brought into housing estates built in the inter-war period, in size, but some larger plots, designated as volunteered or were later conscripted into cultivation and the production of wheat and including those at Braunstone and ‘smallholdings,’ were also provided. In 1909 military service’.14 other cereals was increased. From 1916, 16 annual rents varied from £2 to £5 10s a plot Kirby Fields. however, food supplies were increasingly according to the size and quality of the land. Between the wars affected by German submarine attacks More allotment societies were formed The Act also encouraged the formation of on merchant shipping, and new ways of in Leicester during or just after the war, new allotment societies, which were able to increasing production had to be found. Local 8 Borough of Leicester, Estate (Small Holdings) including the Parks and Glenfield negotiate leases as well as buying in bulk to authorities were given powers to take over Sub-committee, 21 January 1907 Road societies. In 1920 there were around 9 reduce the cost of seeds, fertiliser and other unoccupied land, and to let it to allotment Borough of Leicester, Estate (Small Holdings) 10 16,000 allotment holders in Leicester with Sub-committee, 24 July 1908 items to members. Among them was the societies or individuals. In Leicester this 10 1,600 acres of land under cultivation, and ‘a D. Nash and D. Reader ed., Leicester in the Allotment Society, which was included the gardens of empty houses, Twentieth Century (Leicester City Council, 1993); constant demand for more’ - but pressure granted a lease on land on Coleman Road building sites and land used as ‘common Small Holdings and Allotments Sub-committee, on land for post-war municipal housing was in March 1910, and an additional 28 acres tips’, which required ‘a great amount 27 July 1917 such that some temporary allotments were 11 Rowlatts Hill Allotment Society leases, between the Great Northern Railway line of labour and patience’ to restore to a soon reclaimed for building.15 Compensation 1910 and 1913 and Coleman Road in 1913.11 The agreement suitable condition. Around 150 acres of land 12 Lease of Land Situate in Coleman Road… was payable if land was required ‘for between its Trustees and the Corporation were taken over by the Corporation on a 9 March 1910 national purposes’, but notice to quit while 13 imposed strict conditions on its cultivation permanent basis, along with additional land Letter from Borough Corporation to the produce was still in the ground or on the Horticultural Representative for the Borough and management which were typical of leased from the Earl of Dysart in the Groby bush involved a significant loss to individual of Leicester, February 1918 those required of other societies for years Road/Blackbird Road area.13 14 Letter from Borough Corporation to the members, as well as to a society in rents. to come. They included the cultivation of Horticultural Representative for the Borough of By February 1918 these measures had the land as ‘Allotment Gardens and in no The Allotment Act of 1922 gave some Leicester, February 1918 resulted in ‘a considerable augmented food 15 Leicester Daily Post, 6 October 1920 other manner and to keep the same in good security of tenure by requiring a landlord 16 supply’. Around 20 tons of seed potatoes Leicester in the Twentieth Century heart and condition and free from weeds’; were distributed by the Corporation and payment of all expenses incurred in laying potato spraying was introduced to keep out the allotments, erecting fences, and Local authorities were given powers down fungal disease. This was described providing roads and water supplies; and as ‘quite a new thing to the great majority of to take over unoccupied land, and to ensuring that allotment holders did not small gardeners’, but helped to produce 500 ‘cause any nuisance or annoyance thereon let it to allotment societies tons of potatoes. or to any of the other allottees or to any or individuals. other person whatsoever’. In another new departure, allotment Onions grown on Thirlmere Street (sometime between 1940-43)

Demonstration plots De Montfort Square 1953 Leicester Mail front page, Tuesday 30 September 1930. Working the soil 1975 "Mr WF Johnson of the Rowley Fields Allotment Society took first prize with these potatoes grown for the Royal Infirmary. The total Victoria Park weight from 8 seeds was Rowlatts Hill indenture 1921 War Memorial 126 lbs." allotments 1949 8 The history of Leicester’s allotments The history of Leicester’s allotments 9

Digging for Victory 246 members, each paying one shilling for were not surrendered until 1961.24 Provision accompanied by Mr Woodville’s a share in the society. Its first 113 plots off was also made for allotment gardens for quadrille band.26 In the view of one correspondent to a Welford Road were taken up ‘forthwith’ and a tenants on new post-war estates, and for At the East Leicester society show in July local newspaper in March 1939, allotment waiting list introduced. those in built-up areas nearby. societies played an important role in people 1873 there were rifle galleries, roundabouts, ‘breaking down class and social barriers, Early in 1940 a further 94 plots off Knighton The spirit of competition swing boats, and ‘a brilliant display of moulding individual characters and uniting all Lane were taken within a week, and fireworks’ to conclude the first day. The Competition between members, and later sections of the community’.17 another 115 provided later in the year on second day, although ‘unfortunately between different societies, has long been land off Baldwin Road. The Society was showery’, ended with a balloon ascent by an important feature of allotment societies, They were soon to play a crucial role once ‘highly congratulated by the Lord Mayor Mr Jackson of Derby, who ‘after rising gently to encourage them to still greater efforts. again in augmenting the nation’s food and other experts for their sound and to a moderate height, sailed off over the The South Leicester society held its first supply. When Britain went to war later that rapid development of allotments… a fine ground in the direction of Billesdon’.27 floral and horticultural show in July 1863 in a year their help was enlisted right from tribute to those who were responsible for field between Aylestone Road and Knighton Competitions organised in later years by the outset. A new War Horticultural and its development’. In common with other Road, when a silver cup was awarded to the Leicester and District Allotment Council Allotments Committee, including non- societies, members also helped relatives of the winner of the largest number of first helped to provide large quantities of members of the Corporation experienced plot holders called up for military or civilian class prizes. potatoes for the Leicester Royal Infirmary. In in cultivating allotments and smallholdings, service to maintain their allotments.20 December 1939, for instance, a total of over acquired new sites around the city for There was said to be ‘fair competition in By 1944 there were around 18,000 23 tons was provided, more than four tons wartime allotments and allocated them to fuchsias and geraniums… The show of allotments in Leicester compared with the of it by the Rowlatts Hill Allotment Society allotment societies or schools for cultivation. roses was large, and included many nice pre-war figure of 12,000, and 1370 acres which was awarded the Pickard Cup for the specimens of the Queen of Flowers… In fruits They ranged in size from plots of 80 or under cultivation compared with less than highest aggregate amount. there were some very fine strawberries and 90 square yards up to over 1,000 square 950 before the war.21 The war also saw an gooseberries… The potatoes, peas, beans, yards on St Margaret’s Pastures and in increase in the number of women becoming 17 Leicester Daily Mercury, 16 March 1939 parts of Braunstone and Belgrave. Housing rhubarb and other vegetables, were 18 Borough of Leicester, War Horticultural and tenants of allotments: an estimated 10,000 25 Committee land on Hockley Farm Road very good’. Allotments Sub-committee, 1941 - 43 nationally, and ‘many more are known to be 19 Borough of Leicester, War Horticultural and was taken over by the Braunstone Avenue cultivating plots while their menfolk These shows often became one of the Allotments Sub-committee, 1941 - 43 Allotment Society, along with part of Western are away’.22 highlights of the year, reported in great 20 Washbrook Allotment Society, Annual Report (1940) Park. More land on parks was cultivated by 21 Borough of Leicester, Minutes, 28 November 1944 detail in the press and attracting large 22 other allotment societies, among them the Planning for post-war allotments began Borough of Leicester, War Horticultural and before the war ended, with the aim of crowds from well beyond their own localities Allotments Committee, 18 December 1942 Evington Parks society on Victoria Park and 23 achieving ‘the greatest possible measure of - both for the show itself and the other Leicester Daily Mercury, 23 May 1950 part of Braunstone Park by the Leicester City entertainment on offer. On this particular 24 Evington Parks Allotment Society, Minutes, 18 security of tenure’ for tenants. Demand in Permanent society. occasion the band of the Leicestershire 26 April 1961 Leicester was expected to be around 15,000 25 Leicester Journal, 17 July 1863 In the summer of 1943 ‘Demonstration plots’ plots, but it was clear that land would once Militia played a selection of popular tunes, 26 Leicester Journal, 11 July 1873 27 were established on Abbey Park, close to again be required for housing. However, and in the evening there was dancing Leicester Journal, 18 July 1873 the Road entrance of Victoria Park, rationing did not end until 1954, and the 19 and in Town Hall Square. Ministry of Agriculture wanted to retain In 1920 there were wartime allotments under cultivation for ‘as The first annual report of the Washbrook long as possible’.23 around 16,000 allotment holders in Leicester Allotment Society, formed in September with 1,600 acres of land under cultivation, 1939 with a ‘handful’ of members, gives an Those on Victoria Park were retained until interesting insight into wartime demands 1951, and the records of the Evington Parks and ‘a constant demand for more’ and conditions. By the end of 1940 it had society show that the last temporary plots 10 The history of Leicester’s allotments The history of Leicester’s allotments 11

Each allottee was provided with six sets of they opted for a more direct solution: ‘one including the wider availability of television, from a wide range of backgrounds. The potatoes, and these were weighed on the member knew of someone with a gun, and a lack of access to older allotment sites by membership of allotment societies in spot after lifting, under the supervision of would contact them…’. vehicle, and an increase in vandalism – all Leicester has become much more diverse officers of the societies, before being sent contributing by the early 1960s to ‘a feeling in recent decades, not only in terms of Complaints from the public about bonfires on to the Infirmary.28 of despondency’ in the allotment movement women taking on plots in their own right, were also common in the past, and tenants as a whole.31 but members from the city’s varied ethnic Classes for allotment societies were also a were often urged to ‘have a little thought’ and cultural backgrounds with their own feature of the annual Abbey Park Show for to ‘save a lot of trouble’, to themselves as Nevertheless, through increases in rent, knowledge and experience of different many years. Today most societies have their well as nearby residents: ‘it was not nice on reductions in the honoraria paid to society crops and techniques. own annual Best Kept Plot competition, with a lovely summer day to be choked by these officials, fundraising activities such as whist winners entered into a Best Kept Allotment billowing clouds of smoke’.30 drives, and reduced rents for Senior Citizens, Some societies now offer smaller ‘starter Plot in Leicester under the auspices of the most societies were able to keep going until plots’ for those new to allotment gardening, The 1950s had begun on an optimistic note, Leicester Allotments and Gardens Council. interest in allotments began to revive in the along with the expertise and support not least for the Washbrook society whose Difficult times early 20th century. of existing members. Opportunities for on-site shop was officially opened in 1950 young people with learning disabilities The day-to-day running of allotment by Alderman A. Halkyard, Chairman of the Looking to the future and unemployed people have also been Allotments and Small Holdings Committee. societies has always had its challenges, as Allotments have rarely been so popular as provided through separate projects the records of local societies show. The work The Allotment Act of 1950 increased the now, and most societies have waiting lists supported by local societies, while the City of managing a society has often fallen on a notice that plot holders must be given to for plots. There is no single reason for this Council’s Allotment Users Consultative small number of people, with the majority quit to 12 months. By the end of that decade, resurgence from the depths of the later Committee enables allotment societies to unwilling or unable to stand for office, attend however, allotment societies across the 20th century, but greater awareness of influence future policy and address issues of meetings or otherwise take an active role. country were experiencing more and more environmental issues, including the ‘carbon shared concern. It was said at one AGM in the 1950s that if difficulty in letting plots, with a consequent footprint’ that can be reduced by importing Open Days and events such as plot holders did attend, they would ‘possibly fall in the rents that were their main source less food, is one important factor. National Allotments Week also provide realise the difficulties [of management]… As it of income, along with sales of seeds and Many of the benefits attributed to allotments opportunities for the public to see what was, there was plenty of complaints and the other requisites. ‘The outlook was not very in the past still apply. The potential for saving goes on behind the gates of allotment lot of the Committee was not a happy one’.29 cheerful’, as the Evington Parks society money by growing one’s own produce is sites, as well as celebrating ‘the wonders of noted at its AGM in 1958, and it continued certainly a factor, particularly when the price allotment gardening’. Rules about non-payment of rent or to deteriorate. uncultivated plots are strict on paper, but not of food and other commodities rises - along 28 so simple to enforce in practice, particularly For the Aylestone Society, 1963-64 was ‘the with the satisfaction of seeing a home grown Washbrook 1940 report crop ‘emerge from the dirt’. 29 Evington Parks, Minutes, 21 March 1956 where tenants are known to be ill or finding most trying’ year it had ever faced, with 70 30 Allotments continue to offer healthy open Evington Parks, Minutes, 28 April and the physical effort of maintaining a plot plots vacant, an average loss in rent of £1 26 October 1965 increasingly difficult. a plot, and the prospect of the Corporation air exercise and a sharing of knowledge 31 Aylestone Allotment and Leisure Gardens Society, reclaiming uncultivated land, as it was legally and enthusiasm with like-minded people Minutes, June 1964 Vandalism has often been a problem, entitled to do. A survey by the Corporation along with dogs and other animals roaming itself in that year reported that around a third around sites, rats brought down onto land of total allotment acreage across the city Allotments continue to offer healthy open by flooding, and the ravages of rabbits. The was ‘derelict’. air exercise and a sharing of knowledge and latter was such a problem to one society enthusiasm with like-minded people from a in the 1960s that after contacting three There were a number of reasons for this Corporation departments and the Ministry situation, among them the use of home wide range of backgrounds. of Agriculture, none of whom could help, freezers, changes in provision for leisure, 12 The history of Leicester’s allotments

And allotments are not only good for the people who cultivate them. A recent study of soil samples from 15 allotment sites in Leicester found that the soils under the allotments were significantly richer in nutrients than those that have been intensively farmed – largely due to sustainable management techniques including composting which recycles nutrients and carbon back into the soil more quickly.32 At the moment, and hopefully for many years to come, the outlook for allotments in Leicester is very cheerful indeed.

32 University of Sheffield, Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2014 - https://www.sheffield. ac.uk/news/nr/allotments-could-be-key- sustainable-farming-1.370522 (27 July 2018)

Researched and written by Cynthia Brown. With special thanks to the Leicester allotment societies for their help and assistance. Photographs reproduced by kind permission of Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Records Office, Rowley Fields Allotment Society, Rowlatts Hill Allotment Society, Leicester City Council and Robert Boulter.

For more information about applying for an allotment in Leicester, visit leicester.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/allotments.