Miranda Newsom, www.theaccidentalecomaniac.com |  |
Local hero: The gardening and allotment activist
We’re taking a closer look at community heroes, people who don’t just fret about environmental problems, but get busy working towards solutions, inspiring us all to get involved as well.
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Karen Kenny, 60, is a gardening guru and the Eastern Region Representative of the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners.
When did you first get interested in gardening?
When I was young, I used to garden with my grandfather in the Suffolk countryside. About 25 years ago I got an allotment, re-igniting my passion for gardening, which I’m now passing on to my grandchildren. They love it and love eating fresh vegetables.
How did allotments start?
As early as the Middle Ages there were attempts to enclose common land for the poor to grow food, but the ‘Enclosure’ system came into its own in the late 1700s. In the mid 1800s allotments were thought to keep men busy – and out of the ale house.
Today’s allotments go back to the Small Holdings and Allotments Act of 1908, so this year we’re celebrating 100 years of allotment legislation. During both world wars the government encouraged people to grow their own food as with the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign.
Today’s allotments go back to the Small Holdings and Allotments Act of 1908, so this year we’re celebrating 100 years of allotment legislation. During both world wars the government encouraged people to grow their own food as with the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign.
Why do you think there’s an increased demand for allotments?
It’s a combination of things. Gardening improves your mental and physical welfare. Allotments are good for the environment too, reducing your carbon footprint (local food means no air miles) and promoting sustainability and biodiversity.
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These days with more people thinking about their health, many are turning to organic gardening. And of course, the credit crunch makes growing your own food a very wise idea.
What sort of projects do you work on?
We help people develop allotments and also set up related projects. In our school projects, children learn that food comes from the earth, not packets. We have wildlife projects and even forestry projects where we grow our own beanpoles.
We have projects that help disenchanted young people, and we work with the probation service, helping people develop horticultural skills. There are also community orchards, Apple Days and festivals. Allotments and these projects help bring communities together.
Are allotments actually ‘cool’?
We’re definitely the in thing. These days there’s a lot of publicity about allotments, which ignites even more interest and desire for plots. Allotments are great for families – children can pop on their welly boots and develop an understanding of the natural world.
What sort of projects do you work on?
We help people develop allotments and also set up related projects. In our school projects, children learn that food comes from the earth, not packets. We have wildlife projects and even forestry projects where we grow our own beanpoles.
We have projects that help disenchanted young people, and we work with the probation service, helping people develop horticultural skills. There are also community orchards, Apple Days and festivals. Allotments and these projects help bring communities together.
Are allotments actually ‘cool’?
We’re definitely the in thing. These days there’s a lot of publicity about allotments, which ignites even more interest and desire for plots. Allotments are great for families – children can pop on their welly boots and develop an understanding of the natural world.
Is there more demand for allotments in cities or the countryside?
Allotments aren’t just popular in urban environments (where people may not have a garden) but in rural areas as well. Many allotments have been taken away and built on, so we have to re-establish sites in the countryside as well as in the urban community.
Allotments aren’t just popular in urban environments (where people may not have a garden) but in rural areas as well. Many allotments have been taken away and built on, so we have to re-establish sites in the countryside as well as in the urban community.
Why is there such a shortage of allotments?
All councils in England and Wales (with the exception of inner London due to lack of land) legally have to provide allotments where residents demand them. Unfortunately many parish councils don’t have funds to purchase land for allotments. We need government to step in with the money to support our work. There are debates in Parliament and various white papers, but we need more government leadership on allotment strategy and support.
All councils in England and Wales (with the exception of inner London due to lack of land) legally have to provide allotments where residents demand them. Unfortunately many parish councils don’t have funds to purchase land for allotments. We need government to step in with the money to support our work. There are debates in Parliament and various white papers, but we need more government leadership on allotment strategy and support.
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I’ve been on a waiting list for an allotment for two years. What can people like me do?
Some waiting lists are years and years – you might be a pensioner by the time you get one! Each authority has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient quantity of plots to let to local people. If you’re having trouble, contact the National Society and find out who your representative is. They’ll help you create an association that works like a pressure group to encourage your local council to provide allotments.
Some waiting lists are years and years – you might be a pensioner by the time you get one! Each authority has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient quantity of plots to let to local people. If you’re having trouble, contact the National Society and find out who your representative is. They’ll help you create an association that works like a pressure group to encourage your local council to provide allotments.
Is it important that allotments are organic?
I believe it is – I lecture on organic gardening and personally feel it’s very important, but most allotments on the whole are fairly organic. If you work it properly and everything goes back to the soil, it’s self-sustaining.
I believe it is – I lecture on organic gardening and personally feel it’s very important, but most allotments on the whole are fairly organic. If you work it properly and everything goes back to the soil, it’s self-sustaining.
Can you have animals on an allotment?
You can have chickens and rabbits, though pigs are no longer allowed. In some areas you’re allowed to keep bees, and we’re all aware how important they are for biodiversity and pollination.
You can have chickens and rabbits, though pigs are no longer allowed. In some areas you’re allowed to keep bees, and we’re all aware how important they are for biodiversity and pollination.
Do you consider yourself an eco hero?
I’m definitely an environmentalist and am involved with many issues (when I’m not looking after my grandchildren). I’m on the Ipswich Borough Environmental Protection Panel, advising the council on green subjects. I lecture and speak to horticultural clubs on organic gardening and appear on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Saturday Gardening programme. On a personal level, I recycle and have a compost heap.
I’m definitely an environmentalist and am involved with many issues (when I’m not looking after my grandchildren). I’m on the Ipswich Borough Environmental Protection Panel, advising the council on green subjects. I lecture and speak to horticultural clubs on organic gardening and appear on BBC Radio Suffolk’s Saturday Gardening programme. On a personal level, I recycle and have a compost heap.
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