Allotments 4 All

Hi all.

Did anybody alse read this article last sunday, very interesting about how the general perception of people who own allotments is actually different in real life, not all old men in flat caps. It talks about an army of young mothers changing the face of british allotments.

Judging by this website the variety is extremelly varied,

I personally am a 34 year old single parent who works as a nursery nurse as well as behind the bar of a local snooker centre. What is everyone elses social standing.

There was also mention of a tv programme thats going to be on in the near future presented by Helen Chamberlaine about the values of growing your own veg. Does anybody have any more details eg when and which channel

trina

Hi, Ted. I didn't see that particular article (not being a Sunday Express reader) but there have been quite a few along similar lines.  I expect I am being a tad "touchy" but the recurring derogatory theme about "old men in plat caps" is getting wearing - remember those same old men started off as strapping young men (believe me I know from experience ::)) who have earned their place on the allotment sites.

This doesn't mean that I am not absolutely delighted to have been joined by many more female allotmenteers and also by many younger  people of both genders - makes for better "blethers" and alughs on the plots too but funnily enough "social standing" doesn't figure much in the conversations.......

Like Wicker, we tend not to talk about our 'day jobs' too much - after all isn't that the point of an allotment.

I would say that our site is about 25% retired folk - male and female but not a single flat cap between them.  It's also a misconception to equate age with old timers - one gentlemen, aged 74 only took on his plot this year.

BTW I am a self employed trainer, female and married with two boys.  Sometimes I have loads of time for the plot and other times have to rely on No1 son to keep to toms alive (and he did a fantastic job)  At 13, I think he qualifies as the youngest plotter. ;)

I'm 25 (female) and I work as a teacher, although I haven't quite got my plot yet. I watched a similar story on our local news (NW). I would say the stereotype of the 'flat-capped pensioner' will probably always exist. It is very difficult to change the publics pre-conceptions. I am involved in brass banding and it is a similar story there. Joe public thinks it is all old-working class men playing the floral dance. The band I play in has players aged 16-50ish and the majority are in their 20's and 30's.

I'm a 35 year old jobbing gardener, come full time mum with 2 allotments.  I am the youngest on our site, but it is a mixed crew, some retired men and women, a couple of couples, a couple of families, and a couple of us who 'do it' alone, but have families at home.

That's insteresting.  I posted a reply to Wicker before SMP1704 and it stayed up there for a few days. Now? Vanished.  Any particular reason why?

'orrible 'ackers bennettsleg.  Lots went missing if they were posted when the hackers were about misbehaving!

I'm an ex-teacher, now working part-time for CAB, in my late 40's. Must admit it's mostly retired men in flat caps on our plots (we are in Yorkshire!) occasionally accompanied by their wives, whereas I'm occasionally accompanied by my husband!

 ;D

My plot is in Lancashire, was worried, don't even have a whippet! (will when i retire tho!)

;)