I first visit the Joel Street Allotments on a sticky summer's day in August 2022.They are one of the larger allotments in London and have over 100 plots available to the public. They also have two small holdings and keep horses in one of the properties onsite.
The temperatures had soared in the days before I visit the allotments, with some parts of London and the South-East reaching 41 degrees. We walk through the allotments, the soil is dry and hard underfoot. I am guided by one of the allotment holders, Sian, who has been involved with the allotment society for several years. During this worryingly hot spell, Sian and many other allotment goers have been waking up early to water their crops in, an attempt to minimise the damage from the hot weather. With 2023 predicted to reach record-breaking temperatures, how and what we grow in our allotments in the UK will inevitably be changing.
During my tour of the allotments, I am introduced to an older gentleman who has had a plot there for several years. He has lived in the area all his life and remembers visiting the allotments when he was a boy. He tends to his plot regularly – it is a delightful corner, with a squat apple tree with branches that hang low with fruit. He tells me to take some and I tumble them into my bag, taking a piece of the Joel Street Allotments back home with me.
Some of the plots are well established, with hours of love and care poured into their upkeep. The rows of leeks stand neat, strong, and sturdy, and broad beans climb up bamboo poles effortlessly. Other plots are in the early stages of their fruition, with branches of blackberries weaving themselves deep into the soil. But despite appearances, these wild corners of the allotment are essential for wildlife. This becomes apparent as insects and butterflies hum around effortlessly in the midday sun.
The allotments were established in 1908, soon after the establishment of the first of a number of Allotment Acts were passed. This allowed local authorities throughout the country to allocate land as allotments. And so began the growing rise of allotments throughout the U.K.After the creation of The Ruislip-Northwood Smallholding and Allotments association in 1910, the allotments provided crucial support for the local community. Their role became particularly prominent during World War II as they provided locally grown affordable food in times of great economic difficulty and turmoil throughout the country. During this period, there was also a great level of government support during this time that encouraged knowledge and education on food growing.
The allotments still play an important role in the local community today, which was particularly highlighted during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Recent years have demonstratedthe importance of these community spaces and the significance of maintaining connections with the natural world. Now the allotment provides a much-cherished piece of tranquility to local residents—a space of community, history and an opportunity to grow your own food and connect with the soil beneath your feet.
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