About 5 or 6 years ago our allotment site was typical of many: of 97 plots, 25 were vacant and 10 more were taken but uncultivated. Now, in 2006 we are full with a waiting list for 9 plots. How has this come about?

1. We made brightly-coloured posters, emphasising the healthy aspect of allotment gardening. These were laminated and displayed in local supermarkets and libraries.
2. After seeing a free website builder mentioned in the ARI newsletter we made our own website and it has proved invaluable. It is not only a place for showing our photos and news, but is also useful for people who want to find out more about allotments in the area. The BBC contacted us after seeing the website and asked us to host the Radio 4 programme "Gardeners' Question Time" in April.
3. Our local free newspaper is happy to print our photos and news. We email them photos and details of events, such as the giant pumpkin competition or best scarecrow, thus saving them having to send reporters and photographers to us.
4. Plotholders who neglected their plots were given polite written warnings.
5. Vacant plots were covered with black plastic.
6. An overgrown plot near the entrance gate was planted with pumpkins and sunflowers.

Betty Farruggia

First published: ARI Newsletter Summer 2006