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THE UPLANDS ALLOTMENT VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Well I tell you something. I don’t see many young ones interested in
gardening here, because once they come here and start, and the see the
work that you got to put in they don’t come back. So they don’t see much
interest in it. You see, you see.
The elderly ones will do it but not the young ones, they don’t want to do it
because there is a lot of work involved in it.
[pause] The history of Uplands Allotment goes back
quite some years. I think it began after the war, when people were encouraged
to grow food, because it was so scarce. So the Allotments developed
from then. And it was quite a community thing. Everybody got involved. From
growing basic stuff, staples like potatoes, and cabbages. And it
expanded as more people from other countries came here. So you’d have
the Indian communities growing their own types of food. And then Caribbeans
and Polish now, and different sort of European communities. So it’s quite
a mix. It’s quite a wide mix as well. There’s not just the growing aspect
of it, there is the social side as well. There is a lot of socials that used
to occur here. Tea dances, Bingo. And I think they used to run free meals at Christmas
for the local community. So we want to sort of, kind of encourage all
of the aspects of things to come back.
[pause] I think it’s the aspect of you are in the
middle of the City, and yet you have this, its like a haven, its a secluded peaceful
place where people can come in and just relax.
[pause] There are actually various reasons why people
are here- the plot holders. I myself, my reason is that I’m suffering
from diabetes, little bit of arthritis as well. So my doctor tells me that I need
to get some exercise. So I find actually coming to my plot here and growing
some vegetables doing little bit of hard work here so I can get some exercise,
rather going into gymn, which I find a little bit boring. And actually
people here are so lovely, so friendly, you know, mentally it helps, emotionally
you get attached. My neighbour Brandon is also suffering from diabetes.
Kevin here is really a young guy and probably in his mid thirties
or something. We grow food and we share it with each other.
[pause] When you came here what it was like.
What it was like? It was better than now, people were stealing things, but
not as public as now. Because you plant your things. I grow my kalaloo out
there and somebody had a good chunk out of it, and don’t like the joke.
[pause] It’s hard for you to sit down in the house
and not do anything, which is exercise. You get what I’m saying? Because
when you reach a certain age, when you sit down, and not do anyting, then
your body gets locked up. And you develop certain type of illness – cause
you death very early. So it is good for us to come out and do the allotment,
because the allotment is also the food for your house and maybe give it
to friends, you understand. Or you come to get the experience of planting
things and also getting the exercise to keep your body fit.
[pause] You see now first time, in a few months ago,
say last year. You have some ugly boys who used to come here and break
people’s sheds and destroy things inside there. And take away your plants.
And so I decided, and said no I want to stay here. So I’ve been staying
here from since February, on a regular basis, almost every night. And I do
enjoy the elements at night. I really enjoy watching the stars and moon,
you know. I love those things, I love nature. In the morning time I rise early,
I rise up early, about half four, and hear the birds it just lovely, its beautiful.
[pause] You ask for a Bob Marley Song, alright, I’m
gonna give you one Bob Marley song
[Sings] Redemtion song By Bob Marley.
Old pirates, yes, they rob I?Sold I to the merchant ships?Minutes after they took
I?From the bottomless pit?But my hand was made strong?