UK: Now they’re growing bananas in Doncaster after 100 years at allotments
There have been a fair few prize marrows and carrots grown at Strawberry Island Allotments over the site’s 100 year history.
By David Kessen
Doncaster Free Press
29th March 2021
Excerpt:
He and the other plot holders are currently celebrating 100 years of the allotments, which first opened up in 1921.
Strawberry Island Allotments Association was formed in February 1921 on land leased from Sir William Cooke’s Wheatley Hall Estate.
The original lease gave Wheatley miners the right to garden on around two and a half acres of land at an annual site rent of £16.
The Wheatley Hall Estate was sold to Doncaster Council in 1933 for £60,000 – and Doncaster Council subsequently became the landlords.The site consists of 25 full plots, but many are split into part plots bringing the total number of gardeners to 38, plus their friends and relatives.
Charlie said: “The longest serving members have been on the site for around 50 years each.”
“Boats were introduced to the Island around 1947 and this has resulted in a gradual increase in security by Strawberry Island Boat Club. Access today is by security key only, making our allotment site one of the most secure in the country.”
Up until a few years ago, he and many of the allotment holders also kept livestock.
