Wikipedia

Newland Allotments

Newland Allotments is a historic community garden established in the 1800s and located in the suburb Newland in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.[2] It is one of 21 sites across the city.[3] Sitting within 22 acres of land, and with 270 plots on site, it is the largest allotment site in the city and East Yorkshire.[1][4] The allotment site is classified as statutory, providing protection under the Allotments Act 1925. As statutory allotments, they cannot be sold or repurposed without the consent of the Secretary of State.[5]

Newland Allotments
Map
TypeCommunity Allotment
LocationHull, HU5
Coordinates53°45′57″N 0°21′51″W / 53.765710°N 0.364180°W / 53.765710; -0.364180
Area22 acres (8.90 ha)[1]
Established19th Century
Owned byHull City Council
Managed byNewland Allotments Tenants Association
OpenAll Year
Plots270
FacilitiesToilets
WebsiteOfficial website

History

edit

Founded in the 19th century, Newland Allotments has a history tied to the cultural and agricultural heritage of Hull. Over the years, it has transitioned from a traditional allotment space to a community garden that incorporates sustainable practices. As Newland Allotments land is owned by the local authority and classed as a statutory site, it is protected by the Allotments Acts.[6]

In February 1909, the first on-site association was created, known as “Newland Corporation Allotments Society.”[7]

By 1910, the association was renamed "Newland Horticultural Society." Later that year, on 3 September 1910, the society held its first annual flower and vegetable show, opened at Cottingham Road to the public by Mr. W. Stephenson, the society's president. The judging was done by Mr. H. B. Witty, the park superintendent.[8]

In 1916, during the First World War, new cultivation rules were suggested, requiring that two-thirds of each plot be dedicated to growing vegetables to increase the local food supply. The council requested funds for fencing and water supply to safeguard the allotment site.[9]

In January 1917, amid the food demands caused by World War One, the Cultivation of Lands Order Act was passed, empowering local authorities to use unoccupied land for food production.[10] Newland Allotments complied with the act, fully tenanted with 146 plots.[11] Tenants were allowed to keep pigs, rabbits, and poultry under certain conditions. The council provided seeds, manure, and tools and managed bulk seed potato distribution due to rationing.[12] By December, compulsory food rationing was implemented, with allotment holders encouraged to grow early-season vegetables.[13]

In 1943, after the Hull Blitz, an Allotment Protection Association was formed to safeguard the site. A meeting took place at Sidmouth Primary School, attended by over 150 tenants.[14]

In 1987, the city council's leisure services committee blocked a bid to turn two acres of the Newland Allotments into a playing field for Sidmouth Street Primary School, which would have resulted in the loss of 40 allotments.[15]

In 2010, Newland Allotments was recognised as a significant site in the Hull Biodiversity Action Plan, highlighting its importance to local biodiversity.[16]

In 2012, the completed toilet block officially was completed, a project completed in partnership with Hull City Council for the allotment site, and Sidmouth Primary School, the toilet block was opened on 3 July 2012.[17]

In 2013, the Wyke Area Committee allocated £15,000 for the repair and refurbishment of the tracks and roads within the Newland Allotments site.[18]

In 2014, there was a rise in allotment waiting lists, reflecting a national trend. At that time, there were 557 people on the waiting list for allotments in the Wyke Area of Hull, which includes Newland Allotments.[19]

Between 2018 and 2020, the site experienced a string of break-ins. In 2018, multiple incidents occurred, including the theft of over 20 chickens and ducks from the allotment site.[20] The break-ins continued into 2020, affecting over 30 plot holders.[21]

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the site remained open and saw a rise in the waiting list.[6]

In 2024, Newland Allotments hosted BBC Gardeners' Question Time, a long-running BBC Radio 4 programme where amateur gardeners can pose questions to a panel of experts.[2] The event was held at Middleton Hall, within the University of Hull, on 10 September 2024.[22][23][24]

During several appearances on BBC Radio Humberside, representatives from Newland Allotments emphasised the importance of community engagement in gardening.[25] They also discussed their upcoming hosting of BBC Gardeners' Question Time, noting how the allotment fosters collaboration and support, aligning with the programme’s goal of providing expert guidance to a wider audience.[26] In a further interview with Newland Allotments the site has become a great community hub.[27]

Site features

edit

The site is part managed with Hull City Council and Newland Allotments Tenants Association.[28] The allotment site encompasses over 270 plots spanning over 22 acres, each contributing to the lush green landscape of Newland.[1] The size of plots on the Newland Allotments are the equivalent of 250sq metres (size of a doubles tennis court).[29] The land is also used for growing ornamental plants or for keeping useful creatures such as egg-laying poultry or even honey-making bees. The allotment site in popular in this urban setting of Hull where big gardens are a luxury.[6] These plots provide individuals, families and charities with opportunities to engage in gardening activities, fostering a connection to nature and promoting a healthy lifestyle.[30] The site has a community hut, orchard, wild life pond known as the lagoon, garden and on site toilet facilities, all of which are managed by the onsite volunteering team Newland Allotments Tenants Association (N.A.T.A).[31]

  •  
    The Lagoon
  •  
    The Hut
  •  
    The Orchard
  •  
    The Garden

Projects and initiatives

edit

Bakersville Allotment

edit

Launched in 2000, the Bakersville Allotment project began as a single plot and has since expanded to several plots within the site.[32] The project was initiated by local NHS teams to support individuals receiving care from the Humber NHS Foundation Trust.[33] It provides a space for those with mental health conditions to engage in horticulture as part of their therapy.[34][35]

Let's Talk

edit

Launched in 2014 by City Health Care Partnership, the "Let’s Talk" programme supports individuals with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.[36] The programme includes therapeutic gardening at Newland Allotments, where participants grow produce and build structures to improve mental well-being.[37] This service is provided in collaboration with Humber NHS Foundation Trust and other local organisations.[38]

P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery

edit

P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery supports individuals in Hull affected by acquired brain injury (ABI).[39] The project offers guidance, education, and group activities in a supportive environment.[40] PBS Construction assisted in developing the allotment, providing healthy outdoor activities.[41] These activities aim to reduce social isolation, build friendships, and promote mental well-being.[42]

Down to Earth

edit

Down to Earth is a community project promoting environmental stewardship through workshops on topics like food cultivation, pest control, and nature photography.[43][44] The project played a significant role in the Hull Food Partnership's Food Action Plan, increasing food skills and knowledge in the community.[45] Down to Earth has also collaborated on initiatives to boost local food production and has been highlighted by BBC Humberside.[46] The project received a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support its efforts.[47]

Good to Go

edit

Good to Go is a programme for young adults aged 18 to 29 with learning disabilities, physical impairments, and long-term health conditions in Hull and the East Riding.[48] The 12-week programme includes activities like allotment work, cooking, fitness, and community volunteering.[49] It aims to develop participants' social and life skills, helping them integrate into their communities.[50] The programme is part of the Humber Learning Consortium's "This Ability" initiative, funded by the UK Government and the National Lottery Community Fund.[51][52]

Nathaniels Allotment

edit

Founded in 2017, Nathaniels Allotment is an online presence within the gardening community.[53] The project began as an effort to transform a plot of land and has grown into a space focused on homegrown produce and sustainable practices[54] documented through social media.[55] It was featured in Kitchen Garden Magazine in December 2021, highlighting its impact on both the gardening and online communities.[56] In an interview with BBC Radio Humberside, they emphasised the importance of encouraging people to start gardening, regardless of experience, using social media to inspire others.[25][26]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Area Finder". Map Developers. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b "BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time at Middleton Hall". Ticketsource. 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Hull City Council Allotments". Hull City Council. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  4. ^ "Allotment Online – East Yorkshire and Humberside Allotment Sites". Allotment Online. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Wyke Area Committee – 15th January 2014" (PDF). Hull City Council. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "All the allotments in Hull and East Riding – and how to get one". Hull Daily Mail. 12 March 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  7. ^ "New Horticultural Society" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 7271. 13 February 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Newland Allotments – The First Show Opened" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 7755. 5 September 1910. p. 8. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Vegetable Growing Stipulation" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 9723. 29 November 1916. p. 5. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  10. ^ Davis, Anne (14 March 2014). "Cultivation of Lands Orders World War One". Herts Memories. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  11. ^ Klondyke (14 March 1917). "Allotment Notes – Work on the local diggings" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 9813. p. 2. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  12. ^ "CULTIVATION OF LAND ORDER MEANS IN HULL" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 9761. 13 January 1917. p. 1. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Allotment Notes" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 10066. 28 December 1917. p. 3. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Newland Allotments" (fee required). Hull Daily Mail. No. 17965. 7 June 1943. p. 1. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Allotments must stay – decision" (fee required). Hull & Grimsby Newspapers Ltd. 17 December 1987. p. 13. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Hull Biodiversity Report" (PDF). Hull City Council. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Wyke Area Neighbourhood Management Update" (PDF). Hull City Council. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Section 106 Planning Contributions Monitoring" (PDF). Hull City Council. 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Wyke Area Committee – 15th January 2014" (PDF). Hull City Council. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Hull man furious as his chickens and pet ducks are 'stolen'". Hull Daily Mail. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Cruel thief steals cookers and heaters after sheds raided in west Hull allotment". Hull Daily Mail. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  22. ^ "BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time". Hull What's On. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  23. ^ "BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time". Visit Hull. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  24. ^ "The Journey: Hosting BBC Gardeners' Question Time at Newland Allotments". Newland Allotments. 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  25. ^ a b Fiona Mills (17 August 2024). "Fiona Mills on BBC Radio Humberside". BBC Sounds (Podcast). BBC. Event occurs at 01:18:46. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  26. ^ a b Fiona Mills (8 September 2024). "Doug Stewart on BBC Radio Humberside". BBC Sounds (Podcast). BBC. Event occurs at 02:14:07. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  27. ^ Doug Stewart (12 September 2024). "A little bit of rural idyll in the centre of Hull". BBC Sounds (Podcast). BBC. Event occurs at 00:01. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  28. ^ "Allotments". What Do they Know. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Allotments". Humber Mouth. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Hull City Council Allotments". Hull City Council. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Newland Allotments Facilities". Newland Allotments. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Bakersville Allotment". Newland Allotments. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  33. ^ "You are invited to Bakersville Allotment Open Day". Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust Hull. 24 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Transition & Permaculture Hull Visit to Bakersville, Newland Allotments, Tavistock St, Hull on Monday 12 September 2016" (PDF). Transition Hull. 12 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Community Growing Projects". Nurture Hull. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  36. ^ "Let's Talk are here to help". City Health Care Partnership. 21 May 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  37. ^ "Lets Talk". Newland Allotments. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  38. ^ "New depression and anxiety service launches in Hull". City Health Care Partnership. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  39. ^ "P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery". P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  40. ^ "P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery" (PDF). P.A.U.L For Brain Recovery. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  41. ^ "Paul For Brain Recovery Project". PBS Construction. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  42. ^ "P.A.U.L for Brain Injury". Newland Allotments. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Down to Earth – Workshops". Neighbourhood Network. 15 July 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  44. ^ "Down To Earth". Newland Allotments. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Hull Food Partnership Action plan January 2020" (PDF). Art Link Hull. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  46. ^ Berry Foraging. Hull: BBC Humberside. 17 May 2020.
  47. ^ "Growing the Plot". 360 Giving. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  48. ^ "Exploring Opportunities". Humber Learning Consortium. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  49. ^ "Good To Go". Newland Allotments. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  50. ^ "Good To Go". Log On Move On. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  51. ^ "This Ability". 360 Giving. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  52. ^ "Exploring Opportunities Hull". Humber Learning Consortium. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  53. ^ "Nathaniels Allotment". Allotment Online. 17 April 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  54. ^ "Two's Company". Magzter. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  55. ^ "Nathaniels Allotment". Newland Allotments. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  56. ^ "Nathaniels Allotment". Everand. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Newland_Allotments&oldid=1260329217"