London Socialist Historians Group
19th May
Contact Dr Keith Flett 07803 167266
As virtual Chelsea Flower Show opens historians call for allotments & parks to be the ‘new normal’
The London Socialist Historians Group, which organises the socialist history seminar at the Institute of Historical Research, has said that with the opening of the virtual Chelsea Flower Show, in the present moment a reminder about the wider role of allotments and parks needs to be made.
While the Flower Show is often seen as an event for the better off in society it reflects a much wider interest in gardens, flowers and plants.
However as recent ONS statistics have underlined those who have access to gardens are more likely to be at the better off end of society. By contrast the poor who live in shared accommodation, with a higher proportion of ethnic minorities, rely much more on parks for outdoor space and enjoyment, with access to gardens at best limited.
Public parks have been a focus of campaigning since the 1830s with growing provision in the late Victorian period aimed at allowing the least well off with poor living conditions the ability to get outside. In recent times parks, including displays of flowers and plants, have fallen victim to austerity inspired cuts.
A related movement developed around allotments, with the first Act providing for provision dating back to 1908. While the focus here was and is on growing fruit and vegetables they also allowed less well off people the chance to get outside. Well known current allotment holders include Jeremy Corbyn and Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.
LSHG Convenor Keith Flett said, many enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show, virtually this year. However if we are looking at provision of outdoor space for the many not the few there needs to be more of a focus on the provision of parks and allotments. They must become one of the benchmarks of the new normal and there is an impressive history of people fighting for their provision that needs to be renewed now.
The problem with allotments these days is that many holders already have a garden. Unless you’ve a big household you can easily grow enough veg in a small garden if you are prepared to sacrifice herbaceous border – I’ve done it. Ideally only people in flats or houses with no garden, other than a tiny yard (concrete), would be allowed to have one. Yet people want a leisure garden and an allotment for food. I’m afraid with plots at a premium that really is not fair.