|
Manor
House Lane Allotments |
| We are a small
allotment site in East Birmingham, there are about 60 plots most
of which are occupied. Our plot holders range from a local
special school to people in their 80's. In recent years there has been
an increase in younger people and families taking on plots, aware of
and concerned about the state of food in the shops. (Even the expensive
and so called "organic" stuff is tasteless rubbish, mostly picked too
late and travelled too far, JR) We have won the best site in Birmingham award many times and were the first allotment association to enter the Chelsea flower show where we won a silver gilt medal. Allotments used to be the rather grubby places by the railway tracks that no one took any notice of. Not so now, say to anyone, "I've got an allotment" and more than likely they will reply, "Ooooh all those lovely fresh veggies". They are a retreat from the rigours of our daily lives, a quiet place apart from our frenetic society, a place to have a picnic minutes from our homes, a place to contemplate life the universe and everything whilst doing the winter digging. A place to find friends and to share their triumphs and troubles over many years. However This is just my opinion and since I'm the only person who maintains this page (and for all I know the only person who ever looks at it) I feel entitled to my rant. Despite all the goody goodies above we have what amounts to a sanitised allotment site that wastes resources in a forlorn attempt to look pretty prettty for vistiors that most of the plot holders don't even want. There is no wild grassy area, no wild flowers, no nettles and no brambles, in short nothing to encourage the insects we desperately need to pollinate our crops. In order to do this all that is required is to retire the petrol mower, the money saved could be spent on some wildflower seeds, I would gladly provide and plant the brambles, nettles and any other plants thought necessary. Opinions To any member of our association reading this. You are only an email away from expressing your thoughts here: jemraid AT btinternet DOT com Last revision 1st June 2006 |
| The true worth of an allotment is
below and I your scribe offer
this; The Gourmet Vegetable Gardeners Year. The term gourmet is taken to mean good food simply cooked. (Not covered in yeuky sauces to mask tasteless, foul rubbish, JR) Leeks In a curry, a stew or the famous Women's Institute 'Pershore Pie'. (email me for the recipe)(no one has yet) Late Brussels Sprouts Tenderly cooked beautifully flavoured and eaten with pork or chicken Purple Sprouting As above but with an even more subtle flavour and texture Rhubarb Crumbles and custard, mouth wateringly superb. Asparagus My good ness! Cooked for no more than 5 mins and served with a little butter and crusty wholemeal bread. Japanese Onions From being planted the year previous and used in the first fresh casserole. Spring Onions Picked and eaten with an evening picnic on the plot. The First Lettuce and Radishes Washed under the tap and straight into a sandwich. Gooseberries Jam, on toast or in a crumble, nectar! Broad Beans And bacon with Worcestershire sauce New Potatoes The first plant, washed under the tap, the skins come off as you rub them. Straight into boiling water, serve as for the Asparagus, delicious beyond words. Cabbages. Homemade crunchy coleslaw Shallots Lifted, stored and pickled ready for Christmas Peas Eaten raw, or with mint sauce and lamb chops Tomatoes Outdoors Straight into a cheese sandwich, flavour with a bite! Runner Beans Stir fried with chicken or bacon, exquisite Cauliflowers The best vegetable ever, taste and texture in equal measure Marrows Stuffed with minced beef, chopped shallot and hot chilli pepper. Sweetcorn Five minutes in the pot, cover with melted butter and chobble, a real running down your chin delight Late Potatoes The first baked potato, soft inside and a delicously crunchy skin. Blackberries The best ever fruit pie, with apple and custard Red Cabbage Cut into strips and pickled, crunchy addition to any cold meal. Cut flowers To grace your table |
 Old and new pavilions March 2006  Looking down the plots March 2006  Through a shed door March 2006  August  Summer's idyll |
| Email: jemraid AT btinternet DOT com |