From my first visit to St Ann’s Allotments, around 3 years ago, I knew I had to have a plot here. There was a certain magic to the place. No, I’m not a witch! I don’t mean weird midnight rituals and other dubious practices. I mean a real feeling of wonder and childlike glee at being immersed in a natural environment brimming with life and energy, and that makes you feel truly alive and connected to the earth.
I know it’s flowery but I can’t help it. Sure, there are many tangible benefits to having an allotment like increased fitness and producing your own fruit and veg. But this is the icing on a cake with many rich ingredients. At a time when life is stressful for all of us, the allotments offer a refuge for us human beings and provide opportunities to interact safely. It is a testament to the power of unification between people from diverse backgrounds, although I won’t dive into the details of the history of St Ann’s Allotments here. This is eloquently and comprehensively covered by STAA’s Heritage Tours which are regularly held here. It is pretty amazing to reflect on the fact that if it hadn’t been for people really working together this incredible resource wouldn’t exist today. It would be another non-descript housing estate with only faded photos and wistful recollections from older generations about times gone by. Thankfully it is still very much with us thanks to the hard work and dedication of many who quietly worked to make sure that the site was saved.
A funny thing happens when you engage with the site, whether it be through volunteering, or starting a new allotment. It demands that you dig deeper and give your very best. I think some of the most enduring allotment holders say it better than I could. A little while ago I got chatting with another plot holder. I was having a bad day. In a fit of self-pity, and bewildered by the work in front of me I began to moan about how much I had to do… He eyed me stoically and simply said “Do what you need to do.” This really is the best advice I could have been given at that point. Getting stuck into something and giving your all and creating something in partnership with nature is a real process of growth on many levels. The quiet pride that you feel as you work through the challenges builds resilience and strength. The land won’t lie to you it just quietly demands that you get on with it.
There are many different ideas about how an allotment should be, though I think that the need for dedication and the slow process of falling in love with nature resonates with all of us. The discovery of some of the abundant wildlife here always puts a smile on my face. To know that dragonflies, rare butterflies, frogs, voles and countless other creatures scurrying around call St Ann’s Allotments home is hugely satisfying.
