Allotments for today - article in Southern Daily Echo on Friday 12 July 2002

What does the word 'allotment' mean to you? If you don't have one you will probably have a vague view that allotments used to be common after the war when you had to grow your own food because otherwise you wouldn't get any - but they're really a thing of the past now. If you DO have an allotment it probably looks quite different. You will be growing some of your own food, and getting better quality, more wholesome produce as a result. You may have a good time just meeting your friends and the friends you have made on the allotment site. You will probably be feeling the effects in terms of being healthier.

In Britain there are over 250,000 plot holders. In Southampton there are twenty-eight allotment sites, with 80% of the plots on them cultivated. They're precious green 'lungs' in the city in their own right - and in and around allotments sites you'll see a wider variety of wild plants and animals than you will even in one of the city parks. And the food is local - Southampton growing its own. Every pound of strawberries grown in Millbrook saves a huge amount in environmental damage and fuel costs of growing the same fruits halfway across the world and transporting them to your table.

I've been active in Parliament trying to make sure that allotment sites remain available. It is often too tempting for cash strapped local authorities or private owners to ship the plot holders out and sell them for development. But the best way to keep them available to all is to make sure they are cultivated. People using allotments show that they are needed and wanted. There is going to be an allotment open day at the Paignton Road allotments on Monday 15th July, organized by Outer Shirley Regeneration. (Between 1pm and 6 pm - more information on 80 915422) They'll be showing you how to get started, and what's involved. I know from my experience that there's a real community on allotments - people help each other and support people who are just starting in all sorts of ways.

Before you ask, I have to confess that I don't have an allotment. At the moment I grow my food in my garden - this year I have already had radishes and lettuce with tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes to come, and a whole range of household herbs all year round. I'm immoderately proud of my spindly efforts - you ought to find out if you can do better!