Tony Wisby: “If it closes, it will cause suffering to members’ health, nature and the wildlife habitat”.
Although some people may not want to get their hands covered in soil nor relish the company of slugs and snails, there seems to be an innate pleasure in the life-affirming beauty of a garden or allotment.
Simply being in an open green space can have a profound effect, invigorating us with the work involved in its care while calming us too. Gardening can mean many different things for all of us.
Sprout There! is a horticultural project and part of Uniting Friends, a charity for people with learning disabilities in Redbridge, London. It provides practical, social and therapeutic activities in all aspects of gardening at Redbridge Lane West Allotments and supports healthier eating, using our organically grown produce. It also helps people gain skills for future employment.
People with learning disabilities have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19, and lockdown has resulted in increased isolation, as well as physical and mental health issues.
During lockdown, the project had never been more relevant and enjoyed by so many. All charity members had access to a safe, beautiful environment and, although the plot is situated beside the A12, a major route, it provides a green breathing space.
We now face the threat of a radical change to our project, as a large gas company has asked to use our area while it carries out maintenance work for its adjacent site, which could potentially result in much of the plot being covered in concrete.
Our work would be compromised and the biodiversity that the site supports would be devastated.
A study by scientists at London’s Natural History Museum has found that the UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries – in the bottom 10% globally and last among the G7 group of nations.
Taking action
Faced with the potential closure of our site coupled with the realities of our ravaged environment and climate change, many of our members have voiced their concerns and anxieties and a few have decided to become active in protesting against the proposals.
Peter Fowke has been part of the project for more than two years. He loves watching nature programmes and is incredibly knowledgeable about both plants and wildlife.
“Sprout is enjoyable for me because I have met new people and I enjoyed coming back after being inside during lockdown,” he says.
“Lots of groups go regularly to the allotment site. The jobs to do are growing plants and vegetables. I have learned how to take plant cuttings and pot them. The allotment is an important place for wildlife and the environment.”
All of this could change if the proposals go ahead.
“I think if the gas company build a car park, the willow trees in line with the fence will be gone and it would damage the site, and the allotment may take
years to get back as it was in the past,” says Fowke.
He has contacted his MP about the lack of support for his own mental health issues in the past and is worried that, if the plot were closed, “for people with learning disabilities there could be problems in late life”.
Tony Wisby has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is a great asset to the project. He has worked as a gardener professionally in the past and supported other people with learning disabilities.
“I am a member of Uniting Friends and a gardener with a City and Guilds in horticulture. I love the allotment as it’s great to meet friends and socialise,” he says.
I get a lot of happiness putting into the allotment and what I get out of it, also working with plants and nature and to help the environment.
“I share my knowledge to others, in plants, veg and nature, conservation and to teach people. It’s good for the environment. This site is a very important place to me, it affects my health and during lockdown this played an important role. It’s very good for my health and wellbeing.”
Wisby is worried about the project’s future. “If it closes, it will damage the environment and wildlife, and cause suffering to members’ health, to nature and to the wildlife habitat. We use the site to better our health – otherwise, we would have nothing.”
The plot holders on the site came together and a petition was started to save the site. Local papers and radio became involved.
The importance of this small green oasis surrounded by concrete is not to be ignored and Fowke and Wisby joined others to present a petition against the proposals to the council. Fowke was impressed by the proceedings.
“I have been to a council meeting about the gas works on the allotment. I felt very important but also enjoyed listening to different points of view. After I left the meeting I felt good, and saw others outside the town hall,” he says.
He feels that the takeover of green spaces is “a government problem not just a local one”.
Wisby was also inspired by the petition and has since voiced his thoughts on the issue on the Uniting Friends radio station.
Both of the men will continue to protest. Wisby sums up: “The allotment is a place of peace and rest and a place of good.”
https://www.unitingfriends.org.uk/
The full story and link to petitions is at: wnstd.com/rlw
Deborah Williams is project coordinator at Sprout There!
Top: Peter Fowke: “The allotment is an important place for wildlife and the environment”; below: Tony Wisby is a qualified gardener
Digging for victory: gardeners present a petition and speak out at a council meeting
