Minor British Institutions: The allotment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Just as common land was being "enclosed" in the 18th and 19th centuries, the allotment sprung up as a link to a happier, more bucolic past. The Small Holdings and Allotment Act of 1908 required local authorities to provide land for cultivation, and the restrictions on development were stricter than now.
During the Second World War some 1.4m allotments were dug for victory, and today there are still around 300,000. A typical annual yield is £300 of produce, and charges range from about £25 to £120 per year. Most charmingly, an allotment plot is officially 10 poles, a "pole" being the length from the back of the plough to the nose of the ox.
The high cost of food and the modern enthusiasm for all things organic has heightened enthusiasm for allotments, and waiting lists stretch to many years for some plots. And, of course, the allotment boasts its own cultural institution – the shed, where a man may enjoy the solitary pleasures of the seed catalogue. Long may the allotment flourish.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments