Last week we had Maita Hove doing her work experience with us from Fleetwood High School. The assistant clerk took Maita to the allotments on Larkholme Avenue where she enjoyed interviewing one of our tenants/committee members.

Interview with allotment tenant and committee member, Wendy Taylor.

1.What was your reason for wanting an allotment?

"I absolutely love growing things like flowers, plants. I also just love nature. I only have a small garden at home, it's still nice but it's a small space. About four or five years ago I did get an allotment over Wyre, it was alright, but it was a bit far to travel. I was on the waiting list for these allotments on Larkholme Avenue and a couple of years ago, this plot became available and I got this one. I just love gardening and being out in nature."

2. What do you grow on your allotment?

"I've got a bit of a variety on here. As for flowers, I've got lilies, marigolds, nasturtiums, poppies and fuchsias. I've got quite a few vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflowers, cabbage, sweetcorn, beans and peas. The fruits I grow include raspberries, red currants, gooseberries, strawberries, rhubarb, charred rhubarb and blackcurrants."

3. What are the benefits of having an allotment?

"Because I work partly indoors and out in the community it's a good space for me to come to chill out, grow things and get into a good head space. Getting fresh air and exercising is good for your mental health too. I've also got my shed that I can have a brew in or sit down and read. It's also good because there's some nice people on here that you can have a chat to."

4. I'm aware you're a newly appointed committee member. What were your reasons for joining?

"I just really wanted to get involved, it's a really good community and just to be part of it is amazing. We support new people that come on or people that need information. I just like to help out where I can."

5. What do you enjoy the most about having an allotment?

"Just being outside. Once I shut that gate and padlock it, I know I've got some space to chill. It can be hard work but I love spending time here with the chickens, I can come down and get my eggs and also just potter around. I picked a harvest the other day, and it turned out that there was a mixture of fruits and vegetables. There's lots of wildlife around the pond like frogs and tadpoles around March time. I just love being down here.