A growing phenomena

12:07pm Friday 8th August 2008

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IT keeps you fit, lets you eat healthily and cheaply and gets you out in the open air.

Allotments, once the hiding place for grandad with his shed, have come into the 21st century.

Fears about preservatives, food miles and a general hankering to return to the good life, have seen a surge in popularity for allotments in Trafford.

The borough currently has 34 sites and around 1,460 plots, with a staggering five to six year wait for a plot on some sites.

Many people have had their plots for years but many more are turning to growing their own vegetables and flowers, including families. There has also been a surge in women taking up an allotment.

Several schools have their own plots and one site has a mental health group who uses growing as therapy.

Each site has its own idyosyncracies, says allotment officer Janet Long.

In Stretford, sites grow more ethnic African and Asian vegetables, a site in Timperley has reintroduced an apple orchard consisting of old varieties and one site in Urmston is renowned for keeping bees.

“There is a great community spirit on the plots,” said Janet. “Some of them organise barbecues, days out, hot pot suppers or Bonfire Nights.”

The allotment land is owned by Trafford Council but each site has its own management committee.

Plot holders are not allowed to sell on their produce but a well managed site can provide a family with enough fruit and vegetables thoughout the year.

And each year the holders get together for the annual Gardener’s Evening - this year on September 3, when the winners of Trafford’s allotments competition celebrate.

For more information about allotments in Trafford go to messengernewspapers.co.uk or trafford.gov.uk