For now, my final comment re allotments is to highlight an excellent site at Swinton, just south of Mexborough, South Yorkshire. Three years ago I had occasion to go to Mexborough each week on Saturdays and when the visit was over I would take the dog on a circular walk which took-in a linear park area with areas of mature planting and leading to the allotment site which had a hard surface public right of way running through it (the linear park was one of a number of landscaped areas around that were created after the demise of the local coal mining and coking plant in the late 1980s and early 1990s). One shed was the local allotment association’s hq and all the allotments were clearly valued with many sheds of miscellaneous construction adding to the interest of the site. Clearly the local authority supported its allotment holders as there was good quality security fencing. At least one allotment was given over mostly to a small flock of free-range chickens. A fascinating place.
The history of recreation grounds (fields) runs parallel with that of public parks. The preamble to the Recreation Grounds Act, 1859, states ‘Whereas the want of open public grounds for the Resort and Recreation of Adults and of playgrounds for Children and Youth is much felt in the Metropolis and other populous places within this Realm … it is desirable to provide a Remedy’ (more on this later).
My favourite recreation ground is the large site in north Hull sandwiched between Beverley High Road and the River Hull known as King George playing field and Oak Road playing field. the thing I particularly like is that clearly at some point in the early 20th century (still to research) four large post enclosure fields were taken-over but the parallel mature hawthorn (quick-thorn) hedges were left in place (see above picture showing one part of the site). Today only one field is laid-out for football pitches the rest open land.
(To be continued)