Although low lying, our site is quite exposed – particularly since the adjoining factory buildings were demolished a few years ago. This means that a lot of litter discarded on the main road, retail park and footpath finds its way on site.

But let’s be frank – lots of litter is also generated by plot holders. There have been various (fascinating and frightening) studies into plastic pollution on allotments studying how plants pots, horticultural fleece, fruit punnets, compost bags and more add all kinds of microplastics to the soil as they degrade. You can read more about plastic on allotments, and how gardeners might reduce plastic use, in this great article from the Howe allotments.

Anyway, this is just by way of a preamble to reporting on today’s working party – a litter pick in heavy rain! Thanks to Eloise, Dez and Janet for collecting a *lot* of litter from the communal paths, orchard and car park – and for taking it away to the tip.