We visited the Tindall Street allotments today in Peel Green, Eccles but in particular to the Veterans Allotments section which was decked out in flags and bunting, sadly not for us, but for the Salford Mayor, Tanya Burch and Veterans from Broughton House, Salford, including one chap who was aged 101 and saw action on D Day and Pegasus Bridge.
The Veterans allotments are truly an Oasis, with meticulously maintained planters one in the shape of a Destroyer! courtesy of Ernie Ratcliffe an ex Royal Navy man who has a small section dedicated to his life in the Senior Service.
There are rows of vegetables growing, onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots etc I was delighted to discover an underground Anderson shelter. complete with beds, tinned food from WW2, cooking utensils, books, even electric lights!, greenhouses galore, dotted around each growing plants and vegetables.
You can see the pride the Veterans have in their allotments, the area is spotless, no weeds in site, there are benches dotted around for you to rest and admire the gardens, a small pond next to a planned sensory garden adds to the tranquillity.
Salford Mayor Tanya Burch was given a guided tour by Tom Rook and Councilor John Mullen, she even clambered into the Anderson shelter with more grace than I did, banging my head on the low door frame, the Veterans from Broughton House some in wheelchairs were also shown around, it has to be said it was a wonderful morning out.
Mention should be given to the volunteers who tend the gardens and water the plants on a regular basis, I was asked to say that they always need more volunteers, so if you live local why not call in and give a hand?
Finally a special thanks to Ernie Ratcliffe for the onions and garlic he gave me a gift for home.
