The History of The National Allotment Society

Poster image: The Garden Museum

Digging for victory

It is recorded that in 1920, Membership had been 1,330,000 and in 1930, 965,000. Many organisations worked with the N.A.S. during 1939 to 1945, in the “Dig for Victory” Campaign, assisting thousands of needy Allotment Holders each year. One other tremendous task was the distribution of seeds from America, 150,000 collections of seeds (over 100 tonnes) amongst 1,500,000 gardeners, plus seeds from Canada, Australia, Tanganyika and the commonwealth. .

The N.A.S. for many years conducted a National Allotments Amenity Competition, in order to back up the many local efforts made to improve the appearance of Allotments. The President, Sir Francis Dyke Acland, provided a magnificent Fifty-Guinea Silver Challenge Cup as the Principal Trophy. The object of the Competition was to improve the appearance of Allotments generally and the cup was awarded to the area which effected the greatest improvement in the course of the year. Other prizes were also donated to the N.A.S., for other sections of the competition. These three major trophies are still awarded for the Local Authority Competition.

With its awareness of problems and attitudes in the past, the Society took steps in 1941 to prepare a constructive Allotment Policy which it hoped would find place in post war reconstruction.

Name change

In 1946, the Society changed its name to National Allotment and Garden Society. In 1947, an Allotment Holders Charter was prepared and published. After three years agitation, a Bill was brought to Parliament, which resulted in the Allotment Act 1950.

The post war years again saw a rapid decline in Allotments and membership as a result. 1951 the “Village Produce Association” became attached to the N.A.G.S title after amalgamation with the Central Committee of Village Produce Associations as a method of distributing aid to rural areas. In the mid 70s a change in the title to National Society of Leisure Gardeners Limited and 1979 to its present title, the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Limited.

The Society contributed considerable material to Professor Thorpe, who produced a report which was presented to Parliament in 1969 but never debated. “Continental” style sites have never been fully accepted or desired by most Allotment Holders or Local Authorities.

Land planning bill

1980 saw the Land Planning Bill through Parliament and there is no doubt the vast numbers of letters from Societies and the intense lobbying by Representatives, played a major part in at least retaining the need for Local Authorities to seek permission of the Secretary of State to dispose of Allotments. During the 80’s the National Society’s organisation, structure and Headquarters changed considerably.

The sale of the Flitwick Site and Premises, which was in need of extensive and costly repairs, provided much needed capital to enable the Society to purchase a purpose built office, in Corby, Northamptonshire, and modern equipment. The balance from the sale being invested to provide funds to ensure a long term future for the Society.

It must be acknowledged that the original purchase of the Flitwick premises was possible, due to the generous assistance of Ted O’Dell who provided the premises on an interest free mortgage. In appreciation of his help, the Corby Office, the new Headquarters, was named O’Dell House.

With the introduction of computers, some time consuming operations being carried out “off site” and the transfer of some of the workload to the Regions, (which had been reduced to ten) resulted in a reduction of salaried staff.

Generally, a gradual decline in demand for Allotments added to pressure from developers, together with neglect by some Local Authorities, has caused many sites to be under-occupied. This resulted in a considerable number of allotments to disappear.

The return of a regular contact with Affiliated Societies and Members in 1987, by way of a quarterly journal, had been brought about after several attempts to be supplied by outside companies failed. The articles are compiled ‘In-House’ on all aspects of the Society, hints and tips for growing, Regional News, Regular Features, etc., from contributions submitted by Officers and Members.

In 1997, the Society completed a national survey of allotment gardens (with grant funding from the Department of the Environment) which provided the first comprehensive data on allotments for over 20 years. NSALG definitely has a future as there is as much, if not more, of a need for a united voice to protect and preserve a traditional way of life which is as relevant today as it was in the beginning.