Allotments become 'life-changing' for plot holders

"I could come up here and just be me. It became a place to grieve."

For Kathy Griffiths, her allotment gave her a space to find peace following the death of her brother in 1981.

She has now tended her own plot in Groby for almost 40 years and said it had offered her companionship as well as a space to grow food.

"My allotment means everything," the 77-year-old said. "I don't think you could possibly put it into words."

"I had young children at home, it was really difficult, your emotions are all over the place but I could come up here and be just me," she added.

"That made me a little bit protective of my place up here as well."

Griffiths added that allotments had been "almost like a lifeline" during the Covid lockdowns because plot holders could still see one another.

For hundreds of people in Leicestershire, however, an allotment is still a dream.

The East Midlands branch of the National Allotment Society said demand had remained consistently high since the pandemic.

A spokesperson said interest in growing food had increased significantly during Covid and had not disappeared, while rising food costs continued to make allotments attractive.

More than 1,100 people are currently waiting for plots across Leicestershire, according to figures supplied by local authorities.

Leicester City Council has 588 people on its waiting list, with some applicants waiting up to 18 months for a plot.

Charnwood Borough Council has 429 people waiting and only three plots expected to become available in the near future.

Such is the demand for allotment plots that a number of councils across Leicestershire, including Oadby and Wigston District Council, have divided plots to increase capacity.

The body has managed to reduce its waiting list from about 300 people to 94 by splitting bigger plots.

Allotments officer Marie Chamberlain said smaller plots could help people access spaces sooner and were often easier to manage.

"Splitting the plots gives people more opportunity and sometimes, when people who are starting get a smaller plot, it's a bit more manageable," she said.

"I think having an allotment is quite hard work, but it is really rewarding.

"But some plots were quite a size, so we could cut them into three or four maybe.

"It's so lovely to go down there to see the little oasis of happiness."

Laura Harrold, who also holds an allotment in Groby, said it had been "life-changing" after she moved back to Leicestershire following a divorce.

The 38-year-old said tending the plots had improved her mental health, helped reduce food costs and introduced her to a new community.

She also said she had one of her first dates with her boyfriend at the plot.

"I got divorced and people retire or go through other life changes, and then you come down and have a chat and a bacon sandwich with 20 people you've never spoken to before," she said.

"When I moved here, I knew a few people, but not a lot."

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.