Growing your own food is good for the body and soul

11:13am Tuesday 1st April 2008

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With the spotlight firmly on greener living, allotments offer everyone the chance to get their five-a-day. Charlotte Shepherd pulled on her wellies to talk to the people on the ground about what makes an allotment so special.

"GROWING food is not just easy and cheap, it's good for body and soul," says Alison Ensor, project officer with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

The Trust has recently launched a Don't Waste Wildlife project in the county, challenging everyone to have a go at growing some food this year.

More and more people are making the link between growing their own food and the bigger picture of healthy living and climate change.

Allotments, once the preserve of retired men, are now places where you are as likely to find young mothers with their children.

Carol Townend, a nutritional therapist from Preston, told the Standard about the enormous health gains to growing your own vegetables.

"They contain more vitamins and minerals than those grown in soil which has been contaminated by weed and pest control, particularly the minerals selenium and zinc," she said.

For Carol there were also benefits to getting children involved in growing food. "They can take pride in what they grow and enjoy eating the results which should encourage them to eat healthier food generally rather than fatty fast food," she said.

The responsibility for providing allotments lies with the individual town and parish councils.

Councillor Lynden Stowe, leader of Cotswold District Council, is a firm advocate of allotments. "They have always been a part of rural life. To encourage people to produce their own food is a very worthwhile ambition," he said.

His council ward of Campden-Vale has allotments at Chipping Campden and Mickleton.

"In Mickleton we don't have enough people coming forward. We have to let vacant plots to a local farmer to keep them neat and tidy," he said.

This is unusual however, as the national trend is one of waiting lists.

"Across the country there are considerable waiting lists. There are more people interested," said Geoff Stokes, national secretary for the National Society of allotments and leisure gardens. "We are beginning to see more people in their early 30's with smaller children on allotments."

Many areas are well served with allotments. Cirencester has at least 10 allotment sites administered by four different organisations, including the Town Council, Bathurst Estate, Sewell Mullins & Logie and Abbey Estate.

The Cirencester Town Council sites at Chesterton, City Bank and Purley Road each have waiting lists into double figures.

Not every area is lucky enough to have allotments but, if there is the demand, a local authority is obliged to provide one under the Small Holdings and Allotment Act 1908. For that to happen six local, registered voters have to put their case to the local authority.

This has happened in Northleach. Mayor Chris Hancock told the Standard sites have now been offered by Farmington Trust and Gloucestershire County Council.

"It looks encouraging. We hope it will be resolved in the next few months," Chris said.

In Fairford the closest allotments are in Hatherop. Fairford Town Council deputy clerk, Penny Ibbotson, told the Standard that they had received more calls recently from residents wanting allotments. "It was raised as something to look into if we had a certain number of people write in. It has not happened yet but we are legally required to look into it," she said.

With allotment rents as low as £10 a year, it is easy to see why more and more people are choosing to go after their own version of the Good Life.

JEREMY BONNER, age 47. Painter and decorator. Allotment at Bowling Green Road, Cirencester.

"I live in a flat and have a communal garden. The allotment is an antidote to that. For 18 years in Camberwell I had a balcony garden.

My wife helps so it is a bit of a team effort.

"Food is behind it for me. It's about the quality and the history of food. I'm going to try to get back to heritage crops.

"I've got raised beds, which might be frowned upon in some circle. It's not rustic apparently.

"I started last year with half an allotment but took on another half this year. I'm a tradesman so I always have something to do. An allotment is something completely different.

"It's also an antidote to the power of the supermarkets."

LIZ KEEBLE, age 88. Retired. Allotment at Barton Lane, Cirencester.

"I moved here from East Africa 24 years ago. I had gardeners there so didn't know how to put a fork in the ground.

"I am dedicated organic. I haven't used chemicals in 24 years on this plot. It's very important because if you put pesticides on the leaves it goes into your body.

"There are more women now than there used to be. There are only about two good old boys left. There are younger people with allotments and quite a few young couples with children.

"When I first started I knew nothing and would ask the old boys for help. They would say that's for me to know and you to find out' "I would advise people interested in an allotment to think first. It's not vegetables for free. It has to be a commitment."

CHARLOTTE SHEPHERD, age 40. Journalist and mother of two young children. Allotment at BarnWay, Cirencester.

"I first took on an allotment in Stratton four years ago. I was an absolute novice when I began and got a big laugh from the gentlemen who had been gardening there for years when I had to ask which way up to plant my garlic cloves.

"I would still consider myself a novice but a very enthusiastic one. Each year I record a new spectacular failure but refuse to give up. I just try harder the following year.

"Both children, and husband, now have their own small plots and last year successfully grew cucumbers, flowers and carrots.

As well as a sociable place to be, the allotment can offer me solitude when I need it. And digging the beds is the best stress reliever I have found."

GROWING PAINS

To help take the pain out of gardening, physiotherapist Kate Markland has come up with top tips to help enthusiastic gardeners avoid a trip to casualty this summer.

* Remember to do a gentle warm up before starting.

*When moving heavy soil or cuttings, divide the load into smaller more manageable amounts. Use a wheelbarrow if possible.

* If periods of sustained or repetitive bending are necessary, make sure you take regular breaks, stand up, walk about and gently lean backwards 5-10 times.

* When lifting, keep the load close to your body and bend from your knees (not from your back). Push up with your legs.

* If kneeling in the garden, place a small piece of foam or padding under the knees to limit the stress on the joints.

* Take breaks often and drink plenty of water.

* Beware of uneven steps, slippery paths and broken paving slabs.

* Put tools away when you are finished with them. If left lying around, they can cause serious injuries.

For more information call Kate Markland at The Markland Clinic on 0845 2304228