You’d never know it, but just across the road from All Saints Parish Church is a hidden world of green fingers, fresh produce and community spirit.
For more than 100 years, the Lanchester allotments have provided local people with the chance to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers, even if they don’t have the space at home.
I recently met treasurer Bob Gibbons, chairman Ronnie Spinks and secretary Sharron Davis, who showed me around the site’s 30 plots. Every allotment was thriving, each with its own unique character, but all sharing the same dedication, care and pride from their tenants.
From home-grown strawberries and rhubarb to enough potatoes, leeks and onions to keep a family supplied all year, the allotments are about far more than gardening. They’re a place where people of all ages swap advice, share seeds, enjoy fresh air and exercise, and build friendships.
And the cost? Just £18 a year. With benefits like that, it’s no surprise there’s a waiting list.
Words and photographs by Mark Wilkinson, Communities in Focus
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