Comments on: Losing the plot: a history of me and allotments http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/russell-thompson/losing-the-plot-a-history-of-me-and-allotments/ My Place or Yours is a new kind of writer residency across five regions of England, in real and virtual spaces, exploring the theme of place. Take a moment to wander round and make it your place. We’d love to hear from you. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:20:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Russell Thompson http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/russell-thompson/losing-the-plot-a-history-of-me-and-allotments/comment-page-1/#comment-152 Russell Thompson Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:41:31 +0000 http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/?p=420#comment-152 Charlie - Without wishing to sound like a dodgy comedian, weren't the '70s great? But I do like the notion of autobiographical memories being filtered through a background element (the Fever Pitch technique, though I'm sure there's a proper literary term for it). It creates threads that you didn't know were there. The deaths of various participants made me think about the impermanence of human life versus the onward march of nature (and all that). If I tried to grow my hair like that now, I'd look like Mel Smith c1979. George - Mr W didn't get to me, though there's a family theory that he may have been behind my brother's bout of anxiety-related alopecia. The strangest thing about my 1990s allotment venture was that I already had a sizeable garden that I couldn't look after. Heigh ho. Charlie – Without wishing to sound like a dodgy comedian, weren’t the ’70s great? But I do like the notion of autobiographical memories being filtered through a background element (the Fever Pitch technique, though I’m sure there’s a proper literary term for it). It creates threads that you didn’t know were there. The deaths of various participants made me think about the impermanence of human life versus the onward march of nature (and all that).

If I tried to grow my hair like that now, I’d look like Mel Smith c1979.

George – Mr W didn’t get to me, though there’s a family theory that he may have been behind my brother’s bout of anxiety-related alopecia. The strangest thing about my 1990s allotment venture was that I already had a sizeable garden that I couldn’t look after. Heigh ho.

]]> By: George http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/russell-thompson/losing-the-plot-a-history-of-me-and-allotments/comment-page-1/#comment-151 George Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:01:30 +0000 http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/?p=420#comment-151 glad to hear you didn't let Mr W get to you, Russell! I was really encouraged to hear on the news recently that a new housing development is including new allotments for the local residents. I have my own garden but sometimes think I would rather have a nearby allotment, and swap leeks with my neighbours. glad to hear you didn’t let Mr W get to you, Russell!
I was really encouraged to hear on the news recently that a new housing development is including new allotments for the local residents. I have my own garden but sometimes think I would rather have a nearby allotment, and swap leeks with my neighbours.

]]> By: Charlie http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/russell-thompson/losing-the-plot-a-history-of-me-and-allotments/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Charlie Wed, 04 Feb 2009 08:54:40 +0000 http://myplaceoryours.org.uk/?p=420#comment-150 Russell, I love the idea of parsnips like mandrakes...and this does sound like a plot for a play/short story that could be expanded on one day? I have a friend whose dad took him to the allotment on the front handlebars of his bike (no health and safety in the 70's!) every day in summer..... he loved playing with the other kids there and water pistol fights, but not having to help with the weeding.... thanks for the reminder about the hard work. I've never had a garden, so have a romantic idea of allotments..but as I fail to even sort out my windowboxes some years I doubt I'd manage digging my own allotment regularly:) Sorry to hear about Jane. Your comment about finding a new allotment, I know it's corny, but perhaps nurturing fellow poets is horticulture too? Your comment about being a performer too, so you know what it's like shows that empathy:) You take care and the hair is amazing in the photo.x Russell, I love the idea of parsnips like mandrakes…and this does sound like a plot for a play/short story that could be expanded on one day? I have a friend whose dad took him to the allotment on the front handlebars of his bike (no health and safety in the 70’s!) every day in summer….. he loved playing with the other kids there and water pistol fights, but not having to help with the weeding…. thanks for the reminder about the hard work. I’ve never had a garden, so have a romantic idea of allotments..but as I fail to even sort out my windowboxes some years I doubt I’d manage digging my own allotment regularly:) Sorry to hear about Jane. Your comment about finding a new allotment, I know it’s corny, but perhaps nurturing fellow poets is horticulture too? Your comment about being a performer too, so you know what it’s like shows that empathy:) You take care and the hair is amazing in the photo.x

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