Gardens and allotments

Gardening was a popular hobby

Photo:"Pops" Law in his garden

"Pops" Law in his garden

Jack Law

For residents who had moved from the overcrowded city, the benefit of having their own garden provided an absorbing hobby.

Competitions

The St. Helier Horticultural Society was one of the first groups founded on the estate.  One of its first leaders was Mr. J.G. Breach.  Regular shows were held. In the summer of 1936, the local paper reported that entries for the annual summer show were up on the previous year.   Flowers that received special mention were roses, sweet peas, carnations and gladioli, while in the vegetable section, the finest entries had been in  the categories of potatoes, shallots and rhubarb.  Mr. Breach won first prize for a vase of flowers arranged for special effect.*

*Wallington and Carshalton Times, 23rd July 1936


The LCC also ran a front garden competition for many years.

Photo:Presented to Mr. Gardner of Middleton Road

Presented to Mr. Gardner of Middleton Road

Rosemary Paul


The allotments

During the war, allotments were opened on Robertsbridge Road to help with the wartime 'dig for victory' scheme.  When these were closed to make room for the post-war prefabs, a new site opened at Rose Hill.  This continued for some years but was eventually taken over as a council dump and this has now become a sportsground.

Rosemary Paul remembers her father's gardening

Saturday morning at the allotments

Fred Yule remembers

Photo:Present day residents still produce beautiful gardens

Present day residents still produce beautiful gardens

Renee Cromarty

This page was added by Cheryl Bailey on 31/07/2010.
Comments about this page

My parents were the first to occupy 1 Langdon Walk. I was born there in 1934 and my brother in 1933. Dad was very proud of his garden, which was admired by all who passed by.At the end of the war he became a member of the St Helier Horticultural Society was later appointed Secretary. I well remember the hut up at the rec where members could buy their seed etc. I still have a photograph of him judging at one of their flower shows. I have many happy memories of the days spent helping out in the hut.

By Philip Newell
On 23/04/2016

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