Welcome Back to the Plot

You may recall the BBC covering our programme to buddy up plot volunteers with plot holders who had to self-isolate, were shielded, or classed as vulnerable during the Covid 19 crisis. We had some half dozen plots being maintained and I took over my neighbour’s plot whilst she was locked down.

Click to read and view first blog article on TV https://londonplotlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/lottie-is-going-to-be-star-on-allotment.html

Click to read and view second blog article on TV https://londonplotlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/youre-on-allotment-tv-tomorrow-lottie.html

Now some 16 weeks later and Anna has returned, and we met up once again.

Anna was like a child in a sweetshop with her eyes darting from one plant to another examining everything on the plot and she was very pleased it wasn’t a jungle. Opening the shed which had also been in isolation took up new meaning and watching her once again become reunited with its contents was a joy.

It’s the first time in all these weeks she has ventured onto public transport or even very far out of the house. She still has yet to visit a supermarket and she is alert but safe. You can see the spring in her heels as she takes it all in.

She now plans to come a couple of times a week to ease herself back and maybe it may take some time but the plot will be looked after irrespective and even while I am away, cover has been arranged for both plots.

The one aspect I never realised at the beginning was the amount of watering and weeding two plots take.

Anna left with a broad smile and a big bag of produce.

‘What do I do with these flying saucers?’ she asked holding out some big yellow patti pans that I had picked for her.

I reply, ‘Eat them like courgettes. Slice them, cube them, grill them or steam them. They are lovely.’

‘Ok ’ she said still looking at them rather quizzically.

Lottie was pleased to see her and acknowledged her with a wagging tail and a nuzzle and she passed the sniff test. When she had left he said, ‘Nice to have her back. There’s always cake when she’s around.’

‘Did I miss the cake?’ Lottie asks.

‘No, it was just a short visit and it’s cake and a cuppa tea next time’ I responded.

‘I don’t drink tea’ she replied and flopped down disappointingly onto her cushions on the bench.

As folk start to come back onto the plots you meet old friends and although it’s just a few months, it’s different and great to meet up again. They certainly appreciate the work their buddies and that they are returning to a maintained plot since they have been away.

Next week sees the return of our Secretary who despite being in isolation a couple of hundred miles away , she has done a fantastic job managing many issues, the exploding waiting list and sorting out the National Society’s Kings Seeds process and insurance cover. Just need our Site Manager back and I can start to relax!

Working in Lockdown at the Allotments

We are all a bit Covid 19 worn out. Newspapers cover every aspect of it starting at the front page and ending on the back Sports page. TV do not restrict it to the News but spread it across the schedules between repeats and old films and subject us to those Skype ‘talking heads’ from their own homes. It’s interesting to see what the homes look like, or what they want us to see. Zoom has become the big Social media winner facilitating exercise classes and conference calls. But has much changed down on the allotment?

It was soon made clear that allotments were exercise and could be attended but as with every allotment up and down the country we all had to quickly adapt and implement new temporary guidelines and rules. The farm which surrounds us went into lockdown around its core animal areas so restricting our site access but bringing home the need to exercise common sense and protect ourselves and others. Our allotment at the new Crossrail gardens at Canary Wharf became out of bounds and still is today. We had to work with Canary Wharf Group as we still grew the plants but could not plant them as things were on hold. It has been like growing for Chelsea, or several Chelsea’s without the show.

Meetings were cancelled and some would suggest little missed. Seed swaps and Plant swaps had to change but still were.

There were more notices pinned to noticeboards, gates and sent via email. We found ourselves generating notices as things evolved but thankfully are now able to consolidate these onto one A4 sheet (see the consolidated sheet at end of this article).

When folk were uncertain, worried, and often unable to attend their plot there was little point in plot inspections and they were cancelled.

We had to establish who was ‘shielded’, who was caring for someone in the high-risk category and who for whatever reason were wishing to stay away. We then established if those plot holders were happy for use to organise ‘buddies’ to look after their plots so when they did return it wasn’t a jungle and back to square one. Today we have around a dozen plots being looked after and authorised via our Secretary in advance. (T the top of the article is a picture of my neighbour's plot which is being looked after while they are unable to get to the plot).

We quickly restricted site access to plot holders and their children under 16. Fires and BBQs were banned. Social distancing, cleanliness processes, non-sharing of tools and use of water trough and tap guidelines posted.

One challenge many faced in the early weeks was getting compost and other essentials when the stores were closed.

Weeks later we have most of the site looking better than ever, and folk helping each other out. There have been some issues, but these have been quickly resolved and this is with our Secretary in isolation and stuck up North, out Site Manager in isolation with his mum and others juggling many challenges.

Coming out of lockdown it isn’t going to be hard. We are pleased to state that to date we have not had any casualties to the virus.  Some may choose to not come back to their plots but I expect the majority will and a new normal life will pick up.

The things we have probably learnt through this is the value allotments bring to our physical and mental health and wellbeing, the neighbours and community we can rely on to help and the privilege we have in having our plots when many others have so little space.

Applications to join have sky rocketed over the last period and surly it now time local authorities, together with housing associations, care groups, schools and others started to take a holistic strategy on use of open spaces and community growing, education and care.

Important Consolidated Notice 14/05/20 With the continuation of the current Lockdown it is important that we all follow the temporary measures that we have put in place and that are in line with both Regional and National guidelines.

YES keep working your plots, YES keep social distancing, YES use gloves if possible 

NO fires or barbecues, NO visitors

1.     No visitors are allowed without written authorisation from Secretary, (please supply plot and name details), which will not be unreasonably denied but not be brought to suite on all visits. Registered plot holders can continue to attend their plots. No social access will be granted.

2.     Children under 16 may attend with their parents as long as they reside at same house and must be supervised at all times and not go wandering around the site and onto on others plots.

3.     No fires or BBQs are permitted until further notice

4.     Over 70s or either have an underlying health issue, are pregnant, or have received a ‘shielded ‘ notice from government should notify inform the Secretary and follow guidance and information updated daily by the government and are not encouraged to attend and it will be at their own risk and they will not be insured.

5.     Social distance must always be adhered to 

6.     Please pay attention to the notice boards on entry and take note of any notices posted as information can change on a daily basis. 

7.     No Working on other plots is permitted unless authorised in advance.

8.     Gloves are recommended on entry and retained during stay.

9.     Cleanliness is vital so please do not share tools with others and only take water from the troughs and avoid touching ballcocks. Use the taps that are on site provide clean water for medicine and washing hands but please wipe the tap handle clean after use.

10.Access to upper plots is currently restricted to upper gate

If you are unable to work the plot due to government restrictions and would like someone to help maintain it then please contact the Secretary, Site 

You’re on Allotment TV ‘Tomorrow’ Lottie - Take 2

Having filmed all day at the allotments I started to get calls and emails from fellow plot holders, friends and Lottie’s fellow whippets. ‘When is it on TV? What show is it on? What time will it be on? Does Lottie get full credits?’

You feel it only proper to warn folk you are going to be on TV. Well you wouldn’t want them to miss such an informative piece, would you?

After informing everyone I ever knew, exhausting the Christmas list, befriended all those I  had previously unfriended and made sure all Lottie’s friends and those she occasionally sniffed knew, we sat down to watch the show. It was billed as featuring an allotment ‘hero’ and Lottie was rather taken by the title and had found a new air of confidence.

‘Did you tell Elm Tree?’ Lottie asks. ‘You know that was the last time is was on TV. Prime time you know on ‘The Apprentice’. I lied and said, ‘of course,’ and she had already demanded we watch it again last night to witness her 5 seconds of fame. But she did look good!

The show started.

It was one of these fast-moving magazine live shows which frankly was all over the place and featured Angela Rippon as a talking head stuck in isolation and Mr Motivator resurrected and looking like you would expect after all those years off screen. There was no mention of allotments, Lottie or anything about, ‘on the show tomorrow...’

We were deflated, Lottie’s agent rang and wasn’t happy, the extras from the allotments rang asking what had happened, and we received a stream of emails asking if we had dreamt the whole thing up. I started to wonder myself.

Next the BBC said they had a drop out at the last minute and things were being rescheduled for tomorrow.

This time the list of those told was somewhat smaller. After all they can watch it on catch up.

The next day came. Lottie and I went for our walk and rushed back to watch our new favourite TV show.

Just as we raced in to take our place on the sofa in front of the TV, Annie greeted us,  ‘BBC rang the piece has been shifted again, probably Thursday or Friday. Do you want to ring them?’

Lottie looked at me and sulked off to her bed. I picked up my book and the TV was switched off.

Thursday came, nothing. Friday again nothing. I emailed the BBC contact to be told it was being rescheduled for Tuesday next week. I didn’t bother to tell anyone, and Lottie hung her head the whole weekend.

There comes a point when you don’t believe it will happen so get on with everything else. So on the Monday I went off to the bank.

My phone rang whilst I was travelling, ‘You’re on the telly, right now.’ an excited Annie exclaimed.

‘Are you watching it?’ I asked 

‘Yes, mum rang to say Martyn is on the TV. So I switched it on and there you were.’

‘Is Lottie watching?’  

‘Yes but she hasn’t seen herself yet and is going on about Monty Don’s dogs not being cut out of shot. I’ve told her that they probably get paid and are on contract. She wasn’t impressed with your negotiating skills.’

Annie went on, ‘I’ve got most of it on camera so you can see it when you get home. It come across really well.’

The phone started to ring, and SMS messages started to arrive. It appears others had more faith than I did that it would be screened, or they had just switched on to watch Mr Motivator.

Anyway, Lottie was happy in the end as they did get her backside as she trotted in the allotments behind me. ‘Nice shots of the allotments,’ she remarked and then went off for her afternoon siesta.

At the end of the week they BBC canned the show. Lottie says she thought My Motivator was a bad idea.

Video of Health Check TV

A special thanks to all who were involved in the filming at the allotments and the hard work undertaken as all we continue to buddy up and support others.

Lottie is Going to be a Star on Allotment TV - Take 1

‘Can we do that again and put a bit more emphasis on….’.  Peter the film director from the BBC asks as he also suggests the sound man to move the boom mike closer.

‘Ok, look at my left ear, and when you are ready.’

I must have said the same words or similar several times now in several locations around the allotments, but these guys are professionals and they just keep going. Lottie is dozing, curled up on the bench. ‘Can I just get some rest here? I’ve been backwards and forwards all over the Farm and allotments today and Iam probably not going to be the star turn you promised me!’ she utters under her breath.

‘Come on Lottie one more time?’

Dogs, especially whippets, like to be filmed and get attention but are not that good at playing bit parts and extras. It’s just not what they were groomed to do.

When the BBC researcher rang and asked what was happening down on the allotments during the Contra virus lockdown and about the history of the allotments. I was more than happy to tell them. The next day they wanted to come and film for some new show. How could I say no? Lottie started to brush her teeth, demand extra brushing and started eyeing up her posh coat and collar.

They sent me a script outline the day before filming. It was about our buddying up with plot holders who were either in self-isolation or shielded. The objective was to prepare their plots, plant them up and maintain them whilst they were unable to work on them. Importantly to give them something to look forward to on their return. They had arranged my neighbour, whose plot I was looking after, also to be filmed via Skype.

‘Where does it mention me and my role?’ asked Lottie. ‘After all, Monty Don doesn’t go anywhere without the dogs.’

‘You’ll be the star once they see you,’ I replied and a questioning look usually reserved for food she has never seen before crosses Lottie’s face.

The day of the filming started early and went on and on and after lunchtime we both looked at each other and asked ourselves, ‘How much longer?’

‘I bet David Attenborough doesn’t have to take this long to create a few minutes of TV,’ Lottie moans quietly in my ear.

‘You’re going to be the talk of the Whippet MeetUp. The other whippets are going to be very envious of you being on TV.’

‘I bet they will never see it and it will be on at some obscene hour when all good whippets are curled up in bed.’ Lottie is now getting bored and thinking of her dinner.

Finally, after some 5 hours the statement is made, ‘Ok I think we’ve got it now. Just going to do some editing and take some GVs.’

I didn’t ask what GVs were. Well you don’t when you’ve been on film all day and have had an assortment of folk looking at you being filmed, do you?

The other plot holders who they captured on film some 3 hours ago have all long gone and Lottie and I now find ourselves held hostage whilst GVs are taken and editing is performed in the pavilion. I look around the door to see the sound man on his mobile whilst he is engrossed on his tablet. Technology has shrunk and communications is such that someone up in Salford is probably co- editing the film into the few minutes required.

‘I hope they got my good side?’ whispers Lottie.

‘Well they wouldn’t want your backside,’ I replied to a disgruntled look from Lottie.

Finally, and rather suddenly, they were off, ‘We’ll send over the consent forms and let you know when it will be screened.’

‘Do I have to sign a consent form too?’ asks Lottie. 

  

We now await the 5 minutes of Lottie’s fame and she is starting to get excited.

Tomorrow, the TV show.