I have 2 plots on a local allotment site that is about quarter of a mile from where I live.

The site is owned by the local council but is run on a self-management basis.

Each plot is approximately 260 square yards and both plots are conveniently next to each other so I treat them as one large plot.

Originally they were four half plots. I took tenancy of the first half plot in 1982. In 1984 the other half became vacant and I was asked if I would like to take it on and make a full plot. I continued for a few more years with the full plot but as always, I never seemed to have enough space to grow all that I wanted. In 1988 the rear half of the plot next to me became vacant so I applied for the tenancy. The following year I took the front half as well to make up the two full plots.

At the rear of one plot I have a 7ft x 6ft wooden shed and next to it on the other plot I have a 10ft x 8ft home-made polythene greenhouse. On the other side of the shed is the wildlife pond that I put in four years ago.

Each plot is subdivided into beds, six on each plot. ( See plan of the plots)

I have 2 compost bins which are now located centrally to avoid lugging the compost too far (originally they were both next to the shed).

Last year I lost most of my crops due to flooding on the site. My 2 plots are the lowest on the site. Most years from late December to Mid-February , part of my plots are flooded with 1 - 2 inches of surface water.

Last year the problem was worse due to high rainfall in January and February and my plots were under 3 - 4 inches of water but by the end of March, with help from an early period of hot sunshine the plots had drained and dried out sufficiently to rotavate and plant up as usual. It was during this time that the committee decided to have the drains flushed to aid in getting rid of excess water. Unfortunately, the drains were that old that they collapsed under the road adjacent to the site. This had the opposite effect of not letting any water at all off the site and subsequently my plots were a foot deep in water and the crops and seeds that I had planted were at the bottom of the water. The plots remained like this until mid-July when the drains were finally mended.

Needless to say, I had lost all my annual crops and also a lot perennial plants such as raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries, pear tree and most of my plants and flowers in the borders.

I have been busy this year re-establishing the lost plants but it is a slow and expensive job.