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The
Gledhow Valley site is one of the biggest in Leeds with 129 plots
on land between Harrogate Road and Gledhow Valley Road.
The allotments have been in existence since the First World War.
Here
in the middle of suburbia is the good life in action.
All sorts of fruit and vegetables are grown not just standards like
potatoes. The
plots are also used to grow more exotic squashes and fruits.
Most of the plots come complete with fruit bushes, raspberry canes,
strawberry patches and rhubarb.
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| Bill
Smickersgill and Dennis Noble |
Bill
Smickersgill has been self-sufficient in vegetables for years.
Bill
gives six reasons to go gardening: "It provides healthy exercise,
is out in the fresh air, produces fresh fruit and veg, is environmentally
friendly, close to nature and saves you money!"
He
is particularly keen on growing his squash crop and says the site
is the perfect chance to leave the cares of the world behind.
Mr
Smickersgill says: "Once you're through that gate, you're into
another world."
Get
your wellies on
If you are thinking it's time to get your wellies on and harvest
some fruit and veg then Bill Smickersgill is keen to see you.
"We've got plots and half-plots available and if you've no
experience of growing vegetables we'll help you to get started."
Dennis
Noble has had an allotment on the site for 35 years and is one of
the most dedicated gardeners. He goes, along with his grandchildren,
every Sunday morning to pick fresh vegetables for Sunday lunch.
Dedication
That sort of dedication is well understood by Charles Blundell.
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| Charles
Blundell |
Mr
Blundell confirms: "Nothing tastes as good as veg you've grown
yourself.
"Once you've tasted something you've picked only an hour before
you'll never buy veg from a supermarket again."
Ìý
Distribution
A well-stocked shed is the social centre of the site. The distribution
centre of the Chapel Allerton Garden Association is run by volunteers.
It opens several times a week during summer and winter, stocking
seeds, compost and other gardening supplies.
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| The
distribution centre |
It
costs only £2 a year to join the Association and is open to
anyone who is a resident of Chapel Allerton - you don't have to
be an allotment holder.
A full plot of 300 square yards can be rented at the allotments
for only £20 a year. Half-plots cost even less.
If
you have been bitten by the allotment bug, you can get more information
by calling Maggi Jozefowicz on 0113 269 1010.
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