I first got my allotment in August 2001 when my friend Sheila received a letter from the Council with a choice of several allotments. We had decided that we would share an allotment in the first instance as neither of us had any experience of growing anything except garden flowers and shrubs. We trotted round with our list and chose number 78 Eastney Lake, as having talked to a very helpful plot holder nearby we decided it was the best one available at the time. It had raised beds which were all overgrown with grass and a large shed which looked hand made and was full of old clothing and tools and empty bottles.

My husband, Pete and I set to and emptied out the shed and started clearing the beds. Ernie (the last Secretary, sadly now deceased) had the plot next door and was really helpful, giving us leeks and some old seed potatoes just so we could have something growing. I bought some broad beans from the shop and planted them in the October of that year and also Japanese Onions, even though I must confess I was not a lover of broad beans then. I have grown them every year since and they are now a firm favourite. We decided to split the plot in half as it was easier to grow our own crops rather than share and we have since renewed all the rotten boards round the raised beds.

Unfortunately Ernie passed away during the winter leaving the position of Secretary vacant. I was talked into it by the then Treasurer John Caws and have been the Secretary since January 2002. I enjoy working in the shop and chatting to the customers (once a month on a Sunday and a Tuesday for 2 hours) and enjoy the meetings and writing the Newsletter which we started last year and which lets other plot holders know what is going on at the allotments etc.

We took over number 79 Eastney Lake, which was Ernie's plot and my son Paul and his wife Debbie took over number 77 which had become vacant. An old friend John took over 79a so we are all in a row. We have lovely "neighbours" and think it is a lovely part of the allotments. Our plot has gone from strength to strength and we grow a wide selection of vegetables. Our soil is very good now as we have two big compost heaps which I think is very important. They are emptied out in the spring and autumn and cover the beds. We have entered the Autumn Show with some successes and really enjoy it. We have converted the end of the shed into a kitchen so can have hot food and a cup of tea whenever we like.

Pete's brother Steve and his wife Julie have taken over a plot behind us and my brother Mike and his wife Dot have a plot in Milton Piece and her sister Evelyn and husband Bob have their names down on the waiting list. It is quite a family affair!

My allotment is very important to me and a quiet place to escape to from the stresses of living in a big city. The bird life is fantastic, there are foxes and hawks and a woodpecker has been seen. It is very peaceful and we have the benefit of all that organic lovely tasting food, not to mention all the new friends we have made!