A Walk Around The Plots
By Sue Whittles, Manager
A recent walk around the allotments gave us a chance to take stock of how the site is looking – and perhaps the first thing to say is simply: well done, everyone.
This has been an exceptionally difficult growing year. Long dry spells, hard ground and the constant business of trying to keep things watered have made maintaining a plot considerably harder than usual. In places, the ground has felt more like concrete than soil, and the fact that the water supply has held out – just about – has been something of a blessing.
Against that backdrop, there is an enormous amount to be proud of.
There are some remarkable plots around the site, but more importantly there is evidence everywhere of people simply doing their best in difficult circumstances.
Allotments inevitably ebb and flow. Work gets busy, holidays happen, families need attention and sometimes illness or other circumstances mean a plot can't receive as much attention as its holder would like. That's part of allotment life.
If you are struggling with your plot, for whatever reason, do let us know. It is much better to have a conversation and see whether there is anything we can do to help than to struggle on alone.
There are, inevitably, a few things we need to keep working on. One issue noticed on the walk-around was the accumulation of piles of unwanted materials and rubbish, particularly around some of the plots towards the
back of the site. Small heaps have a habit of becoming large ones surprisingly quickly, so we'd ask everyone to have a look around their own plot and remove anything that is no longer needed rather than allowing it to accumulate.
We are also planning another metal collection, like the one kindly arranged by Anne Fletcher previously, so there will be an opportunity to get rid of unwanted metal from plots.
We’ll share details once arrangements have been made. But the overwhelming message from the walk-around isn't one of criticism. After the growing conditions we've all faced this year, it's one of appreciation.
Whether your plot is immaculate or you've simply managed to keep things alive through the heat and dry weather, here's to everyone who has kept digging, planting, watering, weeding – and carrying on.
Tales From A Starter Plot
By tim and Jaki (Plot 36A)
Here we are 8 months in and I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. It’s been a real pleasure seeing the fruits (and vegetables!) of my hard work appearing not just in the ground but on my plate.
So far we’ve enjoyed radishes, lettuce, onions, spring onions, garlic, beetroot, courgettes, potatoes, sugar snap peas and broad beans.
With no greenhouse, we had to take some chances and plant things sooner than I would have liked but on the whole they survived the late frosts well and did well. The early summer hot weather has been more of a problem. Lots of bolted lettuce and a real dedication to watering!
A typical day involves some pondering… cup of tea… more pondering… a bit of work…. more tea… maybe a biscuit (or two) with that… a bit of work… Pondering with a cup of tea in hand is the best form of mindfulness and I can heartily recommend it!
Some thoughts on our experiences so far…
Mulch – wish I’d done it sooner
Rhubarb – where the heck did that come from? It pops up in the most unexpected places! interestingly where it popped up near my garlic, both the rhubarb and nearby garlic bulbs didn’t do well. I take that to indicate if it doesn’t go well together on the plate, it ain’t gonna do well in the ground either.
Poppies – see rhubarb
Water – I can’t believe how satisfying and enjoyable it is to physically pump water. I thought it would be a chore but it’s like a water cooler in the office, everyone gathers there and chats while you also get some exercise in the process.
A special friend has been the robin that visited me daily during the winter and spring. Sadly I didn’t get a pic of him feeding from my hand but he would regularly sit at the table with us or sit on someone’s foot or shoulder. He’s had less need of us in the warmer weather but he pops in to say hello occasionally.
Here’s hoping to a fruitful second half of the year for us all and we hope to be tenants for some time to come!
From Waste To Garden Gold
A good compost heap turns everyday garden waste into one of the most valuable things you can give your soil.
Compost slowly releases nutrients, improves soil structure, encourages worms and beneficial organisms, and helps soil hold onto moisture – meaning healthier plants and potentially less watering.
The secret? Think green + brown. Mix soft, nitrogen-rich “greens” such as grass clippings, vegetable peelings and manure with carbon-rich “browns” such as autumn leaves, shredded prunnings, paper, cardboard and straw.
Chop up woody material to help it break down faster, keep your heap covered, and once your bin or pile is full, leave it to work its magic rather than continually topping it up.
What can go in? Fruit and veg scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings, leaves, cardboard, paper, herbivore manure and untreated wood shavings are all useful additions. Avoid meat, dairy, egg shells, bones, pet or human waste and diseased plants. Perennial or invasive weeds should only go in once they're completely dead.
Quick win
When your compost is ready, simply spread a generous layer over bare soil as mulch. The worms will help do the rest, while the compost suppresses weeds and helps the ground retain moisture.
Think of compost as another crop: nurture it, harvest it, and put it straight back into your garden.
The Poppies And The Bees: Dance
By Andy Graham
​
I wrote this article at the beginning of the summer. Before the green turned to brown…
Written in a riot of buzzing red. Now the summer is drawing to a close, I include it here as a reminder of the season just past.
Something wonderful is happening on the allotment. A perfect dance between the poppies and the bees – particularly the bumblebees. Every morning the garden erupts into a riot of red, signalling that the bee buffet is open, and
they arrive en masse. White-tailed, buff-tailed and red-tailed bumblebees. Cuckoo bumblebees, solitary bees, carder bees, and even the occasional honey bee from the hives down in the wild area.
The give and take of nature – elegantly tuned. A dynamic equilibrium. A thermodynamic contract with pollen as currency. The flowers need pollination. The bees need pollen to feed their young. I recently discovered that this baby food carries the charming name bee bread. A wonderfully Beatrix Potteresque description.
Female bumblebees leave a store of pollen in a cell, lay an egg and seal it shut. The pollen provides the proteins, nutrients and trace elements the grub will need to thrive.
Poppies offer limited nectar but abundant pollen – perfect for making bee babies. Their strategy fascinates me. Not one flower lasting many days, but many flowers across many days. Like red tissue paper, each bloom lasts barely a day. Every morning a fresh cohort opens for business. The bees arrive, feed,
gather, pollinate. By evening the petals fall and litter the grass crimson.
There Will Be Sausages
There’s plenty happening at the allotments over the next few months, so here are a few dates to get into your diary.
Autumn Clear-up – 4 October, 10am
Our autumn clear-up will take place on Sunday 4 October from 10am.
The clear-up is an important part of keeping the allotments running and is something we hope all plot holders will make every effort to support. Maintaining the paths, hedges, trees and other communal parts of the site is a shared responsibility, and there is always plenty to do.
There is also a practical reason for getting as many of us involved as possible. Jobs we can’t tackle ourselves ultimately have to be done by paid contractors through the Trust – and those costs inevitably feed through into what we all pay. So, if you possibly can, please come along and lend a hand. Many hands really do make
light – and cheaper – work.
If you have them, bring wheelbarrows, secateurs, clippers and other useful tools. We’ll be concentrating primarily on the usual cutting back, clearing and tidying of the communal parts of the site.
If there is time, we may also turn our attention to painting and maintaining the gates. The new communal area by the wild area could also do with some attention, including better seating and fresh bark. This may need to be tackled on another occasion, so if you have some time to spare and would be willing to help with
either of these projects, please let us know.
And, of course, there will be sausages and baps at mates’ rates to cover costs!
Allotment meeting – 3 November
Our next allotment meeting will be held on 3 November at the Friends Meeting House. We’ve returned to the venue we used for our first meeting as it is a little nearer and, we hope, convenient for most people. This is your meeting, so if there is something you would like discussed, please email us beforehand with items
for the agenda. One subject we’re already looking at is how we manage mowing around the site in future, including the possibility of moving to electric equipment. Nothing has been decided – we’d like people to have the opportunity to think about the options and have their say.
And once the business is concluded, there will be a definite adjournment to the pub.
Christmas social
Finally, plans are beginning for another Christmas get-together and carol singing evening, following the success of the last two years.
After two seasons at the helm, Andy is stepping down as Musical Director. His enthusiastic but largely theoretical approach to conducting has resulted in some memorable performances – perhaps best described as a celebration of deconstructed cacophony – and our ears are grateful that he has finally recognised where his talents do not lie.
We are therefore looking for a new Musical Director to take up the baton. Musical ability would be an advantage this time.
If you can hold a tune, marshal a band of willing carollers and point us all in roughly the same musical direction, we’d love to hear from you.
More details about the Christmas gathering nearer the time.
Spring 2025 Edition - Issue 2
Inspiration
The Wind in the Willows Kenneth Grahame 1908
HANG SPRING CLEANING!
Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder, then, that [Mole] suddenly flung down his brush on the floor, said “Bother!” and “O blow!” and also “Hang spring-cleaning!” and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat. Something up above was calling him imperiously, and he made for the steep little tunnel which answered for the gravelled carriage-drive owned by animals whose residences are near to the sun and air.
Starter Plots:
growing the future of our allotments
Sue Whittles
Where the idea came from The idea for our new starter plots was inspired by a successful initiative elsewhere in the country. A friend of Lesley’s mentioned that their allotment site offered newcomers a smaller, manageable plot before they
committed to a full allotment. Given the size of our plots at Barton Lane, we realised this approach could help prospective allotment holders ease into
the experience, ensuring they were ready for the commitment before taking on a full-sized plot.
What are the starter plots? The starter plots are a way for those on the waiting list to get growing sooner. Each starter plot is a designated raised bed, roughly 20m by 10m, located on what was previously Plot 36. This area was chosen because it
was large enough to be divided into three sections, providing a good space for trial allotments. These plots give new growers the chance to develop their
skills, understand the demands of allotment gardening, and decide whether a full plot is right for them.
Why starter plots are a good idea Allotment gardening is rewarding, but it requires regular attention and effort. Many newcomers have a romantic vision of an allotment but struggle with the reality of its upkeep. By introducing a stepping
stone system, we allow people to experience the workload first hand. The starter plots help individuals learn the rhythm of tending an allotment! They also ensure that those who eventually take on a full plot are ready and committed, reducing
the number of underutilised or abandoned plots.
How it works
- Those at the top of the waiting list are offered a starter plot for one year.
- If someone has significant prior experience and would prefer to move directly to a full plot, they can decline the starter plot and remain on the
waiting list.
- Regular reviews (every three months) ensure the starter plots are being actively used.
- At the end of the year, successful growers will be offered a full plot when one becomes available. If no full plots are open, they may have to wait, but their position on the list remains secure.
- If it becomes clear that someone is struggling to maintain their starter plot, it may be reassigned sooner.
Where we are today The starter plots have been marked out and prepared, and we now have three people lined up. The waiting list has been cleaned up to ensure those still interested in an allotment are fairly considered. There are still some details to refine, but the system is in place and working well and we are closely monitoring progress and will make adjustments as needed.
A huge thank you This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of several Barton Lane plot holders. A special thanks goes to Terry, who took on the heavy lifting of marking out and digging the
plots, removing turf, and preparing the soil. Thanks also to Liz, Ken, Lesley, Dave, and
others who contributed their time and effort to get the plots ready. Their commitment ensures that new growers have the best possible start on their allotment journey.
We look forward to seeing how our first group of starter plot holders progress over the coming year. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please get in touch!
Happy growing!
A meditation on mulching
By Ken Wallington
Winter Recipe - Cheesy Leeks
Ingredients
1 kg rhubarb, chopped into small pieces
1 kg granulated sugar
1 lemon, juiced
100 g crystallised ginger, finely chopped
100 ml water
As a Which? Gardening subscriber, I read articles by Charles Dowding on his no-dig gardening methods. His sound arguments and impressive results led
me to try this approach, especially as an alternative to my traditional annual digging routine of over 20 years.
Rhubarb heralds the new season and here is a recipe inspired by Katy who kindly gave me a pot of her rhubarb and ginger jam last year.
Delicious on a hot buttered croissant!
Method
Macerate the rhubarb – Combine the rhubarb, sugar, and lemon juice in a large pan. Stir well and leave for a few hours (or overnight) to allow the juices to draw out.
Cook gently – Add the water and heat slowly, stirring, until the sugar completely dissolves.
Add the crystallised ginger – Stir in the chopped crystallised ginger and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.
Test for setting point – Place a spoonful on a cold plate and push it with your finger. If it wrinkles, it’s ready. If not, boil for another 2-3 minutes and test again.
Jar and store – Pour the hot jam into sterilised jars, seal immediately, and leave to cool.
Gerry Cotton
20/12/1938 to 02/01/2025
Nature Focus
How to be butterfly friendly
We have already seen butter flies on the plot this spring emerging from hibernation. Here are a few butterfly friendly tips to help build the butter fly community on our allotments.
In March, as temperatures rise, several butterfly species in the UK, such as the brimstone, small tortoiseshell, peacock, Read more...
A warm welcome to our new plot holders! We’re delighted to welcome Wendy Frazer 36B . Welcome! We can’t wait to see what you grow!
ALLOTMENT ALMANAC
Spring Equinox: the official arrival of spring Friday March 21st
Plot Reviews Sunday 27th April
Good Friday: Traditionally the day for planting potatoes Friday April 18th
May Day : Celebrate the height of spring Thursday May 1st
Allotment Day: Celebrating allotments nationally Wednesday May 21st
Summer Solstice: Longest day of the year Saturday June 21st
St Swithin’s Day: Weather on this day predicts the rest of summer
Tuesday July 15th
Plot Reviews Sunday 10th August
Autumn Equinox: Day and night are approximately equal in length
Sunday Sept 21st
Winter Solstice carols: The shortest day. Marks the return of the sun
Sunday Dec 21st
Email: info@bartonlaneallotments.org
www.bartonlaneallotments.org
Members of the allotment community gathered with Gerry’s family and friends at the Quaker Friends Meeting House on 30th January to commemorate and celebrate her life.
Winter 2024 Edition - Issue 1
Inspiration
Bette Midler, Los Angeles Times, 8th May 1996
"My whole life had been spent waiting for an epiphany, a manifestation of God's presence, the kind of transcendent, magical experience that lets you see your place in the big picture. And that is what I had with my first compost heap."
Revitalising the Wild Area
John Tiffany
Carols mulled cider and dogs
By Andy Graham
Winter Recipe - Cheesy Leeks
Cheesy leeks are great as a side dish – especially if you are serving vegetarians as well as meat eaters.
This recipe makes enough for a generous supper for two.
Ingredients
4 slender leeks (around 575g/1lb 4½oz ), trimmed
20g/¾oz butter, plus extra for greasing
20g/¾oz plain flour
200ml/7fl oz milk, semi-skimmed or full-fat
1 tsp English or Dijon mustard
100g/3½oz mature cheddar cheese, finely grated
2 tbsp dried white breadcrumbs, optional
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Lightly butter a shallow baking dish. (It will need to hold
around 1 litre/1¾ pint.)
2. A third-fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Remove any tough or damaged leaves from the outside of the leeks if not already done. Trim the leeks, leaving all of the white part and some of the green.
3. Cut the leeks into roughly 3cm/1¼in pieces and add to the water. Return to the boil and cook for 5
minutes, depending on the thickness, or until the leeks are tender. They are ready when the tip of a knife
slides in easily. Drain in a colander over a large mixing bowl to reserve the cooking water.
4. To make the sauce, return the empty pan to the heat, add the butter and melt gently. Stir in the flour
and cook for 10–15 seconds stirring. Gradually add the milk and then a ladleful (around 100ml/3½fl oz) of
the reserved cooking liquid, stirring or whisking well between each addition to make a smooth, creamy
sauce.
5. Add the mustard, half the cheese and season generously with salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 1–2
minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Scatter the leeks into the baking dish and pour the sauce on top. Mix the remaining cheese with the breadcrumbs, if using, and sprinkle on top. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown.
www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cheesy_leeks_46292
Don't throw in the trowel!
By Venessa Goodall
Day one. Lots to do. There’s plenty of useful advice in the media regarding allotments at this time of year. This article does not claim to be one of those – it’s simply some jottings of our experience in Year 1 as newbie ‘Lotters’ on plot 29.
By Liz Wilkinson
Toads are a gardener’s ally, munching on slugs, beetles, and other pests. Creating a toad-friendly allotment not only helps with natural pest control but also supports biodiversity. Here’s how to welcome these helpful amphibians:
Toads need cool, damp places to rest during the day. Leave logs, rocks, or leaf piles in shaded corners, or bury a broken terracotta pot on its side to provide a cosy retreat.
Allow some wild areas to remain undisturbed for additional shelter.
A small, shallow pond with sloping edges is perfect for breeding. Avoid adding fish, which can harm toad spawn and tadpoles, and plant native aquatic plants to offer cover for young toads.
Toads often shelter in compost heaps or under debris, so check carefully before disturbing these areas.
By making simple changes, you can create a toad-friendly environment that helps maintain a healthy balance in your allotment.
In return, toads will quietly work behind the scenes, keeping pests in check. A little effort goes a long way in making these humble creatures feel at home!
A warm welcome to our new members, and good luck as you start a new year on a new plot.
It’s Solstice time. The sun is on its way back and another cycle on the allotment begins. Cue: Yule lite. A shadow of the midwinter festival celebrated by Germanic peoples, marking the winter solstice with feasting, fire, and honouring nature spirits. I create a Deck the halls vibe with boughs of ivy from the wild area, Fa la la la la, la la la la.’ 'Tis the season to be jolly. The plot, bathed in the blackest night, so dark you can barely make out the trees. The Glut Hut becomes a tiny island of light in a sea of gloom. Fifteen hardy souls braved the pitch-darkness to join our little grotto of jollity. Kids, grandkids, and partners all showed up. Feels good to mull a pan of ‘Jolly Jasper’ cider and light up the fire pit to BBQ some bangers. This season’s white onions sizzle up a tasty aroma. Dave [plot2] looking every bit ‘The Claus’ dressed in olive green from tip to toe. He wields a candle in a suspended from the crook of a metal bird feeder. Not only is Dave a font of veggie knowledge he taught me a thing or two about serving hot dogs, ‘Onions first Andy – that’s the way.’ Life changing stuff! Considering it is peak Christmas preparation time and various families were already beginning their seasonal odyssey around the country visiting relatives we had a grand turn out. Fortified by the fortified brew, we were ready for a carol or two. Smartphones lit up like fireflies and the assembled singers do a reasonable rendition of All Come, All ye Faithful before we wander gingerly back down the track, heads full of cider and hearts a little lighter. Watch out for further pagan inspired celebrations on the plot. Anyone got a maypole or know any Morris dancers? No? Shame?
The wild area at the end of the allotments bordering the Gumstool Brook, is undergoing a thoughtful transformation thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Friends of the Gumstool Brook, local volunteers and allotment holders. This area, known for its springtime fritillaries, the bee hives, bird boxes and remnants of a badger set, is being given a facelift to introduce more light to the brook and improve flow to foster greater biodiversity and ecological health. One of the most significant challenges facing the Gumstool Brook area is the mill pond, which has become virtually lifeless due to a combination of factors: lack of sunlight, minimal water flow, and insufficient oxygen. Recognising the urgent need for action, the Friends of the Gumstool Brook rallied to address these issues. At the Barton Lane Allotments open meeting at the Quaker Meeting House we discussed potential solutions, focusing on clearing parts of the wild area to allow more sunlight to reach the brook. The key requirement? Solutions needed to be cost-effective, given budget constraints. With this in mind, the group turned to community driven efforts. This project exemplifies how resourceful thinking and community spirit can overcome significant challenges while fostering a sense of collective achievement. Recent progress includes clearing overgrown ivy, rebuilding a collapsed stone wall, removing a rusted shed, and pruning lower branches to allow more sunlight to penetrate. These changes, led by John Tiffney and ably assisted by the eco-squad from Barton Lane Allotments including Ken, Charlie on chain saw, Katy, Dave Whittles expert in river habitat and Sue have laid the groundwork for a vibrant, biodiverse space. Since its formation in 2013, the Friends of the Gumstool Brook, have tackled challenges such as winter flooding and summer droughts. Regular working parties and partnerships with organisations like the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), citizen scientists and Cirencester Wildlife Group have been instrumental in addressing these issues. Looking ahead, plans include replacing the mill pond’s outdated sluice gates -possibly with a weir to improve water flow and oxygenation to turn the pond into a thriving wildlife habitat. Cleared materials will be used to create meanders and brush piles, enhancing habitat diversity. The group also aims to work with the Bathurst Estate and Cirencester Wildlife Group to further improve tree management and sunlight penetration along the brook. John Tiffney continues to monitor groundwater levels and biodiversity, building on historical records initiated by the late Jan Gronow. Their efforts ensure that changes are data-driven and environmentally sustainable. This ongoing project underscores the power of local collaboration. With continued support, our wild area, the Mill Pond and Gumstool Brook are poised to become a model of community-driven environmental stewardship. Next Steps: Finalising a feasibility study to replace sluice gates with a weir. Expanding collaboration with local estates and wildlife groups. Continuing to monitor biodiversity through citizen scientist programs. Organising additional community working parties to implement habitat enhancements. For updates and ways to get involved, visit: www.gumstool.org.uk