TOP OF THE CROPS!
A DERBYSHIRE couple have transformed a rubbish and weedinfested plot into an allotment that provides nearly all their weekly fruit and veg.
Anne Caulton-Jones, 54, and 60-year-old husband Brian only have to buy bananas, oranges, grapefruit and mushrooms – everything else comes from their site at Heage Road in Ripley.
Anne said: “I’ve lived in the same house in Marehay with Brian for 30 years.
“When we originally bought our house, one of our requirements was a small ‘no maintenance’ garden, as neither of us liked gardening, but over the years I grew to love my garden and it became something of an obsession.
“A few years ago, Brian and I entered our allotment in the Best Kept Allotment competition, and to our amazement we won. Over the last few years, we have come first on several occasions. It’s always a huge honour when our hard work is recognised.
“Six years ago, one of our friends was talking about his allotment. This was something I’d never even considered, but a few days later Brian and I had googled allotments in Ripley, and we did a reconnaissance around all of the local sites.
“The plot we chose was in an almighty state, overgrown with weeds, covered with rubbish, and solid soil – but it had a shed. So, starting that January, we cleared the plot and spent endless hours digging and weeding the sodden heavy soil. It was back-breaking, but we were on a mission.
“The plot next to ours was rented by a fabulous man called Rod, and his plot was immaculate – we always aspired to be as good as Rod.
“The first year we grew whatever we could, a few Brussels, some swedes, some peas, but we learned fast and were always offered help and support from our fellow ‘allotmenteers.’ The whole allotment is full of helpful, friendly people, always there to support, advise and pull my leg when my carrots refuse to grow.
“Over the years we became better at ‘allotmenting.’ I grew plants from seed, Brian built numerous constructions from wood, I weeded and tended the plot, Brian picked the crops, I made the allotment attractive and homely and Brian ate the crops, and we both watered endlessly.”
When asking Anne what she grew at her allotment, she said: “It’s easier to say what we don’t grow. The only fruit and veg we actually buy are bananas, oranges, grapefruit and mushrooms.
“We grow everything organically, including flowers and herbs. I love the flowers, the crops, the friends we’ve made, the nature, the banter, the bees and butterflies.
“Time at the allotment is distorted. I spend an hour there, but my watch tells me I’ve been there for four hours, and during lockdown the allotment was an absolute gift.”
Anne concluded: “The excitement at digging up those first potatoes is absolutely unbeatable.
“All those years ago we aspired to be as good as Rod. He gave up the allotment next to ours, so we rented Rod’s as well in order to make our allotment larger.
“Sadly, Rod is no longer with us, but when we win I always hope he would be pleased with what we’ve achieved on his old allotment.”
Ripley Town Council held its yearly Best Kept Garden & Allotment Competition, open to all residents in Ambergate, Bullbridge, Hammersmith, Heage, Hartshay, Marehay, Nether Heage, Ridgeway, Sawmills, Street Lane and Waingroves.
It was judged on July 23, and on July 27 Anne and Brian were awarded first place for the third time in a row.
The competition, sponsored by Central England Cooperative, was judged by the Mayor of Ripley, Councillor Nigel Weaving, and independent judge Caroline Pollard.
Deputy clerk at Ripley Town Council, Hannah Curzon, said: “It’s great that so many members of our community take part in this annual competition. It goes to show the hours of hard work, dedication and care people like Anne and Brian put into cultivating their allotments and gardens.
“We congratulate them both on this wonderful accolade.”
Over the years I grew to love my garden and it became something of an obsession
Anne CaultonJones