The Christ Church, Wartime in Sheen 1939 – 1945, was a memorable evening of remembrance, in poetry, prose, music and song. There were accounts from people who lived in East Sheen and Mortlake at the time. One part of those related to allotments.
‘We weren’t growing enough food for our needs and imported supplies were vulnerable to U-boat attacks. So the government encouraged local councils to set up new allotments. The Barnes Council got on with the job – allotments mushroomed 😊🤔 , some in the gardens of bombed-out houses.’
[And remember the Barnes Homes Guard Club had allotments, part of which are still behind the clubhouse. That also explains the club name.]
“Don’t rest on your spades” was the mantra, and “Keep a pig if you can”. ‘ Many people did – there was a sty on Palewell Common – although how the amateur farmers transformed their amiable porkers into bacon is a bit of a mystery.’
‘Even some of the sacred turf of Richmond Park was turned into allotments.’
‘When it came to crops growing preservable stuff was the thing – winter greens, onions, leeks and, best of all, potatoes. The Ministry of Food championed the humble spud, the classic allotment product.
Potatoes for breakfast three days a week.
Make a potato dish your main dish one day a week.
Refuse second helpings of other food until you’ve had more potatoes.
Serve potatoes in other ways than plain boiled – potato cutlet recipe supplied.’
