Exactly 1 week before the autumnal equinox in the year 2007, I acquired myself a smallish but hideously overgrown allotment plot in West London - Manor Road Allotments in Richmond, to be precise. This blog will describe the highs and lows as I, earthwoman, a youngish, single-handed woman whips it into shape and brings home mountains of delicious produce and tries to store it in the ice cube sized freezer compartment of her pokey fridge.
When I say single-handed I am of course hoping that my parents, who live a mere 5 hrs away, will make frequent visits to help assert human authority over the wannabe wilderness region. If we are lucky, my dad might also pass by to write guest posts, passing on his weird and eclectic horticultural knowledge to the masses - or his daughter at least.
Earthwoman is also occasionally referred to as warriorwoman, a rather grandiose misnomer. Under this pseudonym she completes outlandish running feats and generally gets hot, knackered and sweaty - not for the fainthearted.
1 response so far ↓
1 Jill Candon // Mar 19, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Dear allotment enthusiast!
My name is Jill Candon and I am currently studying at Leeds University. I find the recent growth in the popularity of allotments fascinating; as a result I am currently undertaking a Sociology undergraduate dissertation project on the topic of this resurgence in allotment use in Britain.
So far I have gathered lots of historical and media based information about allotments but until recently I didn’t realise that there was such a diverse online community of allotment enthusiasts. This is such an interesting aspect of the allotment culture and shows how much allotments have progressed and become much more part of our lives than before.
I am interested in the reasons why you think allotments have become more popular or even why you have personally taken on a plot of your own?
I would be very grateful if you would choose to answer my questions about this topic and help me find out what it is about allotments that people enjoy. If you choose to answer the questions below it is important that I point out that any responses you provide may be used for illustrative purposes within the body of my dissertation. I will keep all these responses completely anonymous and the only reference to your responses will be limited to your web address in my bibliography and never stated in the actual body of work itself.
If you would like to answer my questions, all responses can be sent to the email address provided, (spl5j2c@leeds.ac.uk) and stating the number of the question/s you have chosen to answer. If you are keen to see how your answers have featured in my final project you can forward your contact details (email address) and I will send you a copy of the final dissertation in the future.
1) Why do you think allotment use has increased recently in Britain?
2) If you have recently acquired a plot, what were your reasons?
3) If you have had a plot for a while now, what were your reasons to have an allotment to begin with?
Thank you for your time
Regards
Jill Candon
spl5j2c@leeds.ac.uk
.
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