In this week's episode, Chay has a fascinating and in-depth conversation with Dr Deborah Burn PhD, CEO of Charity known as Green Allotments, and allotment holder for nearly 30 years. Deborah is a co-author of the Local Government Association's "Growing in the Community" allotment management best practice guide. She worked on a national project to increase the popularity of allotments from 2003 to 2011, and she received a PhD for her research on informal social cooperation among allotment gardeners in the absence of incentives.

Chay and Deborah discuss Deborah's allotment journey, how the growing season has been this year, and the ups and downs. Deborah discusses the research she conducted for her thesis on allotments, her time at the National Allotment Society, and her role as CEO of Green Allotments.

Green Allotments is a registered charity that aims to increase the number of allotment gardens by securing and converting land into allotment plots. They also help new plot holders manage their allotment site.

Finally, Deborah discusses an exciting competition that Green Allotment is hosting in which people can win an allotment plot. For more information, including terms and conditions, visit https://greenallotments.org.uk/competition/.

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.

In this episode, Amy and Chay have the pleasure of speaking with Louise Third MBE, who at the age of 60 took on an allotment in 2020, prior to the pandemic. They discuss how she came to own an allotment plot, the challenges she faced, and the benefits to her mental and physical health.

Louise also discusses her growing season in 2024 and the highs and lows of owning an allotment plot thus far.

We also learn a little bit about Louise and the incredible charity work she has done, which has earned her an MBE, as well as her plans for the future.

Louise should be an inspiration to many people because she has demonstrated that it is never too late to start something new.

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.

In this episode, Amy and Chay catch up to discuss what they've been up to during their summer holidays so far, as well as what they've been up to on their plots lately. Amy discusses her latest footwear, 'crocs', much to Chay’s dismay.

Chay discusses his pumpkins, among other vegetables, and how his plot has grown significantly in recent months.

This is National Allotment Week, and the theme for this year's celebration of allotments is biodiversity. To learn more about this week, visit the National Allotment Society's website (https://thenas.org.uk/NAW-24) or click here.

If you have any questions you would like to ask us or would like to collaborate with us, then please contact us on: allotmentdiariespodcast@gmail.com.

You can also follow our social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.