Plough the parks
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Evening Despatch 14 February 1941
In Birmingham, the council created a number of demonstration allotment plots in public parks to reinforce the message to grow more food and to promote hands-on social learning. Press reports during this time were keen to highlight Birmingham’s history of providing both parks and allotments for its citizens by linking wartime allotment plots with the Parliamentary law first secured by Jesse Collings making the compulsory provision of land for allotments and the founding of the Allotments Extension Association in 1882. One article concluded that, “In taking a new step in allotment history, Birmingham is keeping up its tradition of being allotment minded,” (Birmingham Mail 24 February 1941).
Potatoes and oats were the main crops grown in Birmingham parks, but carrots were being grown too. “People seem to have just begun to realise the value of carrots,” said Mr ES White, head of the Parks Department. “Yet donkeys found it out years ago!”
Twelve parks had demonstration allotments which are cultivated by the Parks Committee staff and the produce of which is given to hospitals.
Birmingham parks used as allotments: Adderley Park, Cotteridge, The Farm (Sparkbrook), Fox Hollies, Handsworth, Kings Heath, Rookery Park and Sparkhill.
Crops grown: tomatoes, onions (50,000), oats, potatoes, carrots.
Photograph caption reads:
A demonstration allotment in [unknown] Park, Birmingham of a standard size to help the public get the maximum results out of small gardens. The Parks Committee already have 105 acres under cultivation for food production.
