Allotments for the unemployed - The inter-war years
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Birmingham Gazette 26 March 1935
The national purpose of allotments disappeared after the end of World War I and 50,000 acres of land requisitioned during the war had to be given up. During the 1920s and 1930s many families experienced long term unemployment, short-time working, reduced earnings and fundamental poverty. Allotments became important sources of food, health and exercise, social interaction and psychological relief from the effects of the economic depression.
‘Stock’ allotments were introduced in some places entitling allotment holders to keep certain animals as well as to grow vegetables. In many ways with free manure and organically produced compost readily available on site, many inter-war allotments were examples of social and environmental sustainability. Not all allotments, however, were directed at poverty relief. A number were sources of local pride and indeed civic status.
Transcription:
Allotments for the Unemployed
How the Society of Friends' Plan Operates in Birmingham
By Wm C Northey, Area AdministratorNo unemployed or impoverished person need be without an allotment or garden because he has not the ready cash to purchase seeds and fertilisers.
The Society of Friends, three years ago instituted a scheme whereby these can be purchased at less than cost price by easy weekly payments, and the scheme has been so successful that the Friends have again raised a large sum of money for that purpose and already in Birmingham hundreds of unemployed are availing themselves of the facilities.
The seed supplied is the best possible from first-class firms and consists of three collections of vegetables, containing 16 varieties, supplied at 1s 6d; another of 11 varieties at 1s., and a smaller collection for the home garden of eight varieties at 6d. Four stones of potatoes are allowed at 6d. per stone, two stones of fertiliser at 2s. and one cwt lime at 1s.
Seeds are supplied up to 1s. 6d. in value, and the purchase of any commodities is at the option of the applicant. For the total outlay of 6s. 6d. sufficient seeds and fertiliser are provided to cultivate thoroughly a plot of land of 300 square yards. In addition a spade and fork are provided at 2s. each, and instruction booklets at 1d.
Old age pensioners, widows and others whose incomes fall within certain limits are included.
Swept the Board
In Birmingham last year 1,028 unemployed and 33 others availed themselves of the scheme and 988 seed collections, 3,728 stones of potatoes, 501 bags of fertiliser, 730 bags of lime, 123 spades, 156 forks, and 280 instruction booklets were distributed to them by 46 allotment, horticultural, tenant or kindred societies.
Photo Caption: Produce grown from seeds supplied by the Society of Friends won Mr E Mountford the silver cup at the Oldford Farm Allotments annual show last year.
