Talking about allotments on BBC Breakfast

Andy Hamilton · Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:46 pm

Ok we will be talking for 5 mins on the shortage of allotments and the growth of waiting lists not just in the UK but worldwide. On BBC breakfast Monday 31st March at 8.40pm.

Any anecdotes or anything like that you might want to share then please do post, could do with some help of what to talk about. Probably wont be near a computer after Sunday night though.

circlecross · Fri Mar 28, 2008 10:42 pm

took us three years to get a plot, and that was because the council had to remove some asbestos (we are talking about an old roof of a shed approx 1m by 2m). The plots in that time fell into disrepair, and having been "on the waiting list" for the three years, the council contacted us. Presumably some of the prior waiters had died or something! We are now having to dig up every weed under the sun (and rain) and it is a back breaking task. If the council had got its act together it would have been much easier to cultivte (but I might not have got a plot...hmm)

Andy Hamilton · Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:11 pm

Cheers for that, just the thing that I could talk about.

kiery · Post: # 92474Post **kiery** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:58 pm

We have just recently got plots in Carnoustie. 2 weeks ago in fact!!!

We were the only town in Angus (Scotland) that did not have any council owned allotments. A few people got together went to the local papers, attended council meetings,wrote to the council - generally gathering local support for the campaign - formed the Carnoustie Allotment Association (with a committee and constitution and paid up members). So they couldn't refuse.

From start to finish I think it took about 2 years but we got there in the end.

We now have a site in the middle of the town (with not too much opposition) and I think we already have a waiting list.

Anyway, we have been on the allotment all day putting up a shed and picking out stones. Garlic is in the ground and itonly rained the last hour Kids and DH are falling asleep in front of the TV. Bliss.

All the best for your TV appearance!

old tree man · Sun Mar 30, 2008 3:20 pm

in redcar the waiting list is over a year, even though we have seen allotments that are not being worked.

Russ

john · Post: # 92599Post **john** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 5:40 pm

Hi Andy and Dave it's been a long time now since we last spoke about doing things in our own ways. I hope you are both well, and I wish you all the best in trying to spread the word in your BOOK and on BBC tv tomorrow the 31st March, at 8.40 am. With this in mind if you do want to talk about someone with a DIFFERENT allotment plot and ways to grow things, please feel free to tell the world about my website.

If you are ever down this way it would be great to show you how I do things.
May you and yours and what you grow live long and happy. John.J.R.P.

ina · Post: # 92695Post **ina** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:42 am

I heard them - I heard them!

Just 15 minutes ago, on radio 4. Brief as are all their interviews, but anyway - they were on, the bible got a mention - what more do we want!

Just as I was about to leave the house for work, too - so the timing couldn't have been better. I suppose that the TV bit is still to come?

kiwirach · Post: # 92706Post **kiwirach** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:50 am

i've got the telly on and am waiting...as far as i'm aware it hasnt been on yet...theres been a wee taster to say its coming.....

red · Post: # 92708Post **red** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:56 am

ina wrote:I heard them - I heard them!

Just 15 minutes ago, on radio 4. Brief as are all their interviews, but anyway - they were on, the bible got a mention - what more do we want!

Just as I was about to leave the house for work, too - so the timing couldn't have been better. I suppose that the TV bit is still to come?

me too! 'fraid I only heard the last part, dozing (up in the night checking sheep, lambs and feeding the weak lamb...) but you sounded good, friendly confident - it went really well!

might try the listen again thing later...

kiwirach · Post: # 92710Post **kiwirach** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:59 am

just seen them on the telly....they did very well....more a general chat i thought, not alot of touching on long waiting lists, but both guys came across well!.

hamster · Post: # 92713Post **hamster** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:01 am

Sorry, am all confused with the forum times and the clocks changing - for those of us going to have to use listen again, judging from the time of ina's post, was it at about 6.30 or about 7.30?

ina · Post: # 92714Post **ina** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:01 am

Well, maybe the breakfast show isn't geared to much political work... But I liked it, too. (Took half an hour out of work - thanks for flexitime!) - to watch it!)

red · Post: # 92716Post **red** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:04 am

hamster wrote:Sorry, am all confused with the forum times and the clocks changing - for those of us going to have to use listen again, judging from the time of ina's post, was it at about 6.30 or about 7.30?

im thinkgin about 7

oldfella · Post: # 92722Post **oldfella** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 8:16 am

Well done the lads, you came over well, just two normal guys, no histrionics, table thumping, just the right image of us Isshers

hamster · Post: # 92726Post **hamster** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:09 am

The Today programme interview is about 7.20 (or 1h 20m in) on Listen Again.

Can you not get BBC Breakfast on iplayer?