Overview

This is the fascinating history of one of our most familiar institutions - the allotment - set within the context of its social and political history. Allotments are small areas of land rented to individuals to grow their own food. Nowadays often thought of as havens of peace and quiet, the humble allotment has a surprisingly turbulent history. Born out of a philanthropic movement tied to social and moral control of the poor in the eighteenth century, allotments soon became fashionable among the urban middle classes during the World Wars, and formed the backbone of the 'Dig for Victory' campaign, producing essential supplies for the home front. The post-war years saw a decline in their popularity, as fast food took over from home-grown produce, but environmental concerns and the organic movement mean that allotments are now in vogue once more. The author here draws on a wide range of original historic documents to chart the rise and fall of the allotment.

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9780747806813

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Reviews

This book has excellent color and black and white photographs both of allotments, but also the posters and postcards that were used to promote or make fun of allotments. My grandparents, and great grandparents worked allotments and this book does a good job of putting them into context. I learned a lot from this slim book and can recommend it. --Peter Milner, British Interest Group of Wisconsin and Illinois

Author Information

Dr Twigs Way trained as an archaeologist and later developed a particular interest in garden and landscape history. She has designed programmes in garden history for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and has lectured for Birkbeck College, London. Her latest book 'Virgins, Weeders and Queens: A History of Women in the Garden' was published in 2006.

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