2020 has been an unusual year for us allotmenteers. We are all used to dealing with viruses on our plants but this year we were challenged with trying to prevent having to deal with a virus which affected our bodies. Unfortunately, there were a few on our allotment estates in Chiswick who succumbed to the human virus and we mourn their passing.
When lockdown was announced, for a lot of us it spelt disaster at the prospect of having to spell all our time within four walls slowly going mad. Then the good news that going to your allotment counted as legitimate exercise. HALLELUJA!!!!
The next question we asked ourselves, how do we get to our plots in a safe manner and stay safe whilst we were there. For those who had their own cars or bicycles, they could stay in their own bubble and travel safely. For those who relied on public transport it was a different proposition. No one felt safe travelling on a bus, and who could blame them. Fortunately, their neighbouring plot holders who were aware of their predicament came to their assistance and kept an eye on their plots. For those shielding it was a different matter, and where I was made aware of such circumstances I was able to find people from the sharers list who went and kept their plots cultivated. We then had to ask ourselves how to stay safe when on the plot. We simply had to follow the rules. Take precautions when handling items which were used by other people, who were perhaps not so diligent on the need for good hygiene. So, wear gloves when opening the gates and using the water taps. Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before and after you leave. Do not lend your tools to anyone, do not cross onto another plot, keep to the walkways.
Everyone soon became aware of these sensible precautions.
With most people spending more time on their plots the transformation of some sites was remarkable. Overgrown plots soon turned into model allotments all perfectly groomed and providing everyone with a bountiful harvest.
During this time all garden centres were also shut which closed off the supply of gardening essential to everyone.
CHAS took advantage of one of the exceptions which related to the provision of agricultural supplies. As a supplier to some 600 small farmers, although their land was measured in square meters rather that acres, we opened our trading hut to members the second week into the lockdown. The first week was spent reorganising out trading hut to make it covid-14 safe with social distancing measures put in place, providing sanitising stations and making the one-way system. We were overwhelmed by the support we received and substantially increased our membership, although there were a lot of local residents who did no realise they had a mini garden centre in their midst. We managed to provide a constant supply of compost, seedlings and seeds to satisfy our members, thanks to the outstanding contributions from our greenhouse teams of volunteers who germinated and potted up the essentials for growing on allotments and in gardens. At the time of writing, we are still in a state of emergency with various restrictions on our activities in place. However, the light at the end of the tunnel comes ever closer with the miracles of vaccines. The human answer to bug killer. But it is now winter, and most plots have been closed off for the period. The sites still remain open however for you to visit and carry out maintenance work or get away from the four walls which some see as a prison. We really should be grateful for our little plots which flat dwellers would give an arm and a leg for. It keeps us sane in a mad world and gives us hope and inspiration for the future as we plan our plots for next year, reflect on the mistakes we made this year and hope and pray we do not fall victim to the human virus.