Cultural diversity

[Squash64]

We had visitors from another allotment site near Banbury today.  I walked them round our site and pointed out the various things grown by different nationalities like artichokes and cardoons by Italians and Turks, pumpkins and callaloo by West Indians, coriander by the Pakistanis and various leafy crops by the Bangladeshis.

They were interested in this because they said that everyone on their site was white English.

I love the diversity at our site and can't imagine what it would be like without other nationalities.  We have such interesting chats about what they are growing, and how they grew things 'back home'.   

Living in Birmingham, I suppose I take our cultural mixture for granted.  It isn't until I speak to people from other parts of the country that I appreciate how special it is here. :)

[Squash64]

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

that's the one thing on our plot i'd like to change. The closest we've got is a German woman. She's very nice but it's not quite the same

[Sparkly]

We have a one lady from Pakinstan & one from France. We also have a dutch guy so our site is predominately white British too. Representative of the area though. Things are changing though as more couples and families are joining the site.

[Mr Smith]

We have two Sicilian lads on our allotments who I have known for years they  grow lots of Italian stuff which they can get hold of locally as seed, would I tell them anything differently NO!, ;) 

[Squash64]

We have two Sicilian lads on our allotments who I have known for years they  grow lots of Italian stuff which they can get hold of locally as seed, would I tell them anything differently NO!, ;) 

LOL, my husband is Sicilian!

[cornykev]

We have Sicilians, Italians, Turks, Curds, Sri Lankians, Greeks, Irish, ow yes I forgot there's some English to.     ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[1066]

We have ......Curds,

Do you have any whey  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D

[Eristic]

You don't need foriegners. Come to my plot and this White Grumpy Englishman will introduce you to at least 70 different vegetables, most of which have 4-5 different varieties growing.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

it's not just the veg. It's the people and their story

[1066]

well said RT

1066

[BarriedaleNick]

it's not just the veg. It's the people and their story

Agreed!  My old site in Tottenham was like the UN - only more efficient.  We had all races, creeds and colours and we all (mostly) got on.  I used to take my lunch and bring it home again because I had been given so much food while I was there.   very communial!

It is a golden rule that every site has to have at least one resident Irish fella of at least 70 and a grumpy old English bloke who never seems to go home..

[tomatoada]

B/D  thought you must be on my site for a minute.  But the "old man" does check the gate is locked at night and the irish man makes me laugh.

[BarriedaleNick]

B/D  thought you must be on my site for a minute.  But the "old man" does check the gate is locked at night and the irish man makes me laugh.

It's a rule tomatoada!!  South Birmingham and SE London - Similar demographics???

[Squash64]

B/D  thought you must be on my site for a minute.  But the "old man" does check the gate is locked at night and the irish man makes me laugh.

It's a rule tomatoada!!  South Birmingham and SE London - Similar demographics???

North Birmingham too because we also have the Old Man and the Irish Man.

[saddad]

Sadly both of ours died recently.....  :-\

[Squash64]

I know this is an old thread, but while I was checking a list of our tenants today I listed the nationalities we have on our site -

Indian
Pakistani
Bangladeshi
Turkish Cypriot
Iranian
Afghanistani
Mauritian
Kenyan
West Indian
Brazilian
Italian
Chinese
Irish
English
and tomorrow we might have a Pole.

[pumkinlover]

.....Dancer?

[Squash64]

.....Dancer?

;D  ;D

I'll let you know.

[antipodes]

Ha ha on my plot here in France I am the cultural diversity  ;D ;D ;D
no just larking about, we also have a couple of Turks and a few North Africans but I can't say I have been to see what they grow... I am the only one on our whole plot to grow parsnips and funny shaped squash and Australian pumpkins! Ours is mainly grumpy French retirees it has to be said that grow things in neat rows after a going over by the rotovator!
I have never been down there with a flask of tea or coffe but my neighbours indulge frequently in cheap french red so if you can't beat 'em join 'em...

[ACE]

We had a bloke who married a bird from Southampton, annoyed is cousin somewhat. But we are similar to Midsummers Murders here.Like the last bastion of Englishness.  All the turks, poles, and coloured gentlemen are all locked up safe.