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| Local Hero - JH on our allotment. |
After a particularly trying time on the allotment this year, with the twin evils of potato blight and pouring rain destroying much of what we tried to grow, it was a rather pleasant surprise and a welcome boost to morale when we found that Jon had been nominated for one of our local council's inaugural allotment awards. It was even more of a boost to actually receive a 'Certificate of Merit' for our plot, as in all honesty we probably lavished less love and care on it this year than usual.
I have no hesitation at all in giving Jon the credit for the award, as although I generally make the call regarding what gets planted and where, and play a full part in getting the seeds into the ground and the produce out again, Jon has been responsible for the routine maintenance of keeping the paths strimmed and neat from one week to the next, and has also done most of the weeding.
The certificates were presented, along with a cup for the best kept plot (to a rival site - boo, hiss!) and shield for best newcomer (to our neighbouring plot-holder Chris, a very well-deserved award) at a reception at Kidsgrove Town Hall. The Town Mayor, Councillor Gill Burnett, handed out the prizes, and there were complementary drinks, including beer, wine and non-alcoholic and crisps and breadstick snacks. It was great to see some allotmenteers had brought their families along, and also encouraging to note several certificates of merit to female plot-holders.
We couldn't help wondering what the scene might have been thirty years ago; probably all gents gathered around tables, wreathed in cigarette smoke and with pints and ham sandwiches before them. We've come a long way since the allotment was where Himself went to get away from 'Er Indoors!
So many thanks to everyone at Kidsgrove, especially Town Clerk Jill Waring, for organising such an enjoyable social event and encouraging us in our horticultural endeavours.
