Plot a lot we've got: Atherstone attracting younger generation of green-fingered recruits to its land army

VACANT PLOTS SNAPPED UP IN 'BIGGEST RESPONSE EVER' TO ASSOCIATION WHICH BOASTS YOUTUBE HORTICULTURAL FAVOURITE

A NEW generation of Atherstone wannabe Alan Titchmarshes and Carol Kleins are beating a path to join the land army of the future as townsfolk take their minds off the global war being waged to halt the spread of deadly enemy coronavirus.

Vacant plots on the Atherstone Allotments Association's leased land in Sheepy Road were snapped up within hours – leaving the committee with a growth spurt of a 16-strong waiting list.

And association secretary Jayne Clark, whose family have been linked with the independent organisation for two decades, is thrilled on two counts – the numbers coming forward and the age of applicants "wanting to get digging".

Appleby Inn Hotel receptionist Mrs Clark said she couldn't explain the rush of enthusiasm from "raw recruits" – some readily admitting they had no experience of gardening at all.

The association, which has been going since at the least the 1960s, made an appeal to fill three of its 49 plots without an allotment holder.

She said the older generation of gardeners are "resistant" to giving up the land "because they love it so much".

The secretary told Nub News: "We must have had 30 applications for the three allotments – it seems lots of people want to take up the pastime.

"We've never had so many showing interest like this before. I cannot explain it.

"We filled the vacancies over the weekend and now have a waiting list of 16 people.

"What is so pleasing is the number of younger people wanting to take on an allotment plot. They seem very keen.

"Two of the plots have gone to couples with young families. One, in fact, took the allotment over on the Sunday and started on it the next day."

Mrs Clark is the original 'land girl'. Bought up on a smallholding at Norton Juxta Twycross, she used to milk goats and cows before heading off to school.

"It was a wonderful way of life," she enthused.

Her father, George Cope, combined the smallholding with his life as a miner at Measham and Baddesley pits.

When the family moved to Atherstone he joined the allotments association and became chairman until his death three years ago. Jayne's brother – Noel – took over the lead role and her husband, Stephen, is the association treasurer.

So how do other members enjoy the "grow your own" experience?

Association president Bob Macrow has been linked to the body for 15 years – and retired for 10 of those.

The 73-year-old said it's "nice to see young people wanting an allotment".

In the growing season – which is now – he says he spends "lots of time" on his allotment, adding: "You have to go with it."

Night worker Martin Smith likes to spend the mornings on his plot after finishing at 3am at Fedex Express

The loading bay operative says the allotment keeps him active and something to plan for in the future when work is not the main motivator.

The 49-year-old then pointed Nub News in the direction of the association's jewel in the town – a prince among potato growers who shows the fruits (and vegetables) of his labours at the famous Royal Horticultural Society's Malvern Spring Festival, which annually attracts crowds in excess of 100,000 at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire.

Terry King and his wife have two plots on Sheepy Road and he has in recent years become a legend with his own YouTube channel Allotment Gardening On A Budget.