The original social distancing – allotment holders enjoy their days in the sun

Across the region, allotment societies have reported increased demand and unusual levels of activity as those who normally have to go to work spend their days pottering amongst the potting sheds.

Some have also noticed new patterns of insect and animal behaviour induced by the quieter surroundings.

“It does seem to have been busier recently. I’m seeing people I’ve never seen before, to be honest,” said Martin Copeland, chairman of the Chapel Allerton Allotments and Gardens Association, not far from Roundhay Park in Leeds.

“A lot of people aren’t working, and with the good weather they have taken the opportunity to get down to their plots, conscious that because of the nature of the layout they can keep their distance.”

Like many holders of coveted £100 council licences, he had been worried that the allotments would be fenced off at the start of the lockdown, but said that in the event he had received little advice other than to wash his hands regularly.

“This is the busiest time of year, when we’re putting everything in, and we were worried we’d be locked down. Instead, we’re getting exercise and still maintaining some kind of social contact. It’s quite lucky, really.”

However, garden life beyond the 3,000 or so square feet of each plot is unlikely to take root this year.

“We’ve got quite a varied social calendar, with biggest marrow shows, that kind of thing. But the spring one is cancelled, probably summer and possibly autumn, too,” Mr Copeland said.

Ann Longley, secretary of the Pudsey Allotments and Cottage Gardeners’ Association, who has worked her plot for 40 years, said: “It really is a sanctuary. We can go there and chat to people without getting near to anyone. There’s enough room for social distancing.”

Around 40 people of all ages tend to different patches of the land off Crimbles Terrace, some of which have been divided into half or quarter-sized plots.

“It used to be elderly men but now quite a lot of young people come,” said Mrs Longley, who gives her surplus produce to friends, neighbours and to charity.

“The younger ones who are home working are coming to escape from their husbands and children for a while. Also they want their children to know that cabbages don’t just come from Sainsbury’s.”

Around 10 more families were now waiting for a plot to become vacant, she said, a picture repeated at allotment societies across the region.

At the Scarcroft plots in York, Sara Robin, who keeps track of the changing pattern of nature, said the combination of warm weather, increased human activity on the plots and quieter surroundings had produced a flurry of reports of new wildlife, with regular sightings of Holly Blue and Speckled Wood butterflies.

“I think because people are staying nearer home they are noticing so much more that is near them,” she said.

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