Croxley Hall Woods Allotments Association
1896
The clerk read some further correspondence from the Bursar of Caius College, Cambridge with reference to the proposed allotments at Croxley Hall Farm. The College were still quite willing to grant the lease, but made the stipulation that no allotments be let to inhabitants of Croxley Green; giving that as a reason that any allotment holder living there would almost be certain to violate the right of way through Croxley Hall Wood, which it was particularly wished to be kept quite private. Mr Randall thought it would be extremely unfair to any resident of Croxley who might wish to take allotments, that they should be excluded from doing so simply because they happened to live in that district - Mr Dockree thought it was very unlikely that any residents of Croxley would want allotments in that field, as they were supplied nearer home - Mr Galley protested against the exclusion of Croxley Green people - Mr Wilks; Then shall we drop the idea of taking this field? - Mr Coutts thought it would be a great pity to let it drop now that the matter now it had gone so far. He thought they would not be placing any hardship by denying them allotments in this field suggested as probably none would want them there - Mr Little then moved: "That we instruct the Clerk to write to the College authorities asking them to reconsider their proposal, and point out to them that the allotments were never intended for residents of Croxley, and asking that we be able to commence our tenancy by Michaelmas next" - Carried
The clerk read some further correspondence from the Bursar of Caius College, Cambridge with reference to the proposed allotments at Croxley Hall Farm. The College were still quite willing to grant the lease, but made the stipulation that no allotments be let to inhabitants of Croxley Green; giving that as a reason that any allotment holder living there would almost be certain to violate the right of way through Croxley Hall Wood, which it was particularly wished to be kept quite private. Mr Randall thought it would be extremely unfair to any resident of Croxley who might wish to take allotments, that they should be excluded from doing so simply because they happened to live in that district - Mr Dockree thought it was very unlikely that any residents of Croxley would want allotments in that field, as they were supplied nearer home - Mr Galley protested against the exclusion of Croxley Green people - Mr Wilks; Then shall we drop the idea of taking this field? - Mr Coutts thought it would be a great pity to let it drop now that the matter now it had gone so far. He thought they would not be placing any hardship by denying them allotments in this field suggested as probably none would want them there - Mr Little then moved: "That we instruct the Clerk to write to the College authorities asking them to reconsider their proposal, and point out to them that the allotments were never intended for residents of Croxley, and asking that we be able to commence our tenancy by Michaelmas next" - Carried
1910
The Clerk was directed to prepare a scheme under "The Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908" Section 4 (3) as to lease from the governing body of Caius College, Cambridge of 25 acres of land at Croxley Green in the parish of Rickmansworth as from the 29th September 1910. The clerk was further authorised on behalf of the County Council an agreement with the Croxley Green Co-operative Smallholdings and Allotments Society Limited for the tenancy of the above land as from Michaelmass 1910 at a rent to be fixed by the Small Holdings Committee.
The Clerk was directed to prepare a scheme under "The Smallholdings and Allotments Act 1908" Section 4 (3) as to lease from the governing body of Caius College, Cambridge of 25 acres of land at Croxley Green in the parish of Rickmansworth as from the 29th September 1910. The clerk was further authorised on behalf of the County Council an agreement with the Croxley Green Co-operative Smallholdings and Allotments Society Limited for the tenancy of the above land as from Michaelmass 1910 at a rent to be fixed by the Small Holdings Committee.
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c1910 Number 10 Watford Road
c1910
The above photograph taken from number 10 Watford Road shows gardens, field but no allotments yet.
The above photograph taken from number 10 Watford Road shows gardens, field but no allotments yet.
1939 - Dig for Victory
The "Dig for Victory" campaign, launched in 1939 by the British Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged Britons to grow their own food during World War II to combat food shortages and boost morale, transforming gardens and public spaces into allotments. The scheme was expanded in Croxley Green to include that was known as the triangle on Croxley Common Moor that is highlighted in the image below.
The "Dig for Victory" campaign, launched in 1939 by the British Ministry of Agriculture, encouraged Britons to grow their own food during World War II to combat food shortages and boost morale, transforming gardens and public spaces into allotments. The scheme was expanded in Croxley Green to include that was known as the triangle on Croxley Common Moor that is highlighted in the image below.
WW2 Dig for Victory site on Croxley Common Moor
The Dig for Victory campaign was a crucial part of life in Britain during World War II, and Croxley Green would have been no exception. Here's what that would have likely entailed for the villagers of Croxley Green:
Food Shortages: The "Dig for Victory" campaign, launched in 1939, aimed to increase domestic food production to prevent starvation and free up shipping for war materials and troop transport. This encouraged self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries urged people to grow their own food in gardens, allotments, and any available land and why the scheme ran on Croxley Common Moor.
The government provided leaflets, guides, and short films shown in cinemas to educate the public on how to grow vegetables and preserve food. (Download all Dig for Victory files below)
Residents of Croxley Green were encouraged to cultivate any available land. This would have included private gardens being turned into vegetable patches and the establishment and expansion of local allotments.
Food Shortages: The "Dig for Victory" campaign, launched in 1939, aimed to increase domestic food production to prevent starvation and free up shipping for war materials and troop transport. This encouraged self-sufficiency. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries urged people to grow their own food in gardens, allotments, and any available land and why the scheme ran on Croxley Common Moor.
The government provided leaflets, guides, and short films shown in cinemas to educate the public on how to grow vegetables and preserve food. (Download all Dig for Victory files below)
Residents of Croxley Green were encouraged to cultivate any available land. This would have included private gardens being turned into vegetable patches and the establishment and expansion of local allotments.
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Croxley Green residents would have learned to make the most of their rations and homegrown produce, likely using government advice on frugal cooking and food preservation techniques like pickling and storing vegetables. This local effort became a national success when Doris Grant of Scotsbridge House created the Grant Loaf that became a national saviour in the war effort.
WW2 Dig for Victory poster
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WW2 Dig for Victory poster
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WW2 Dig for Victory poster
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WW2 Dig for Victory poster
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WW2 Dig for Victory poster
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13th October 1939 and a generous act (Buckinghamshire Advertiser)
1948
In November 1948 the Croxley Resident Magazine reported; As there is a number of the allotments at Croxley Woods lacking attention, thereby causing harm to the condition of those which .are being properly cultivated, the Surveyor has been instructed to make a survey of these allotments to enable the Open Spaces and Allotments Committee to make an investigation of the site. It is also reported' that the Clerk of the Council has been instructed to ask those allotment holders at Barton Way, who are not wholly cultivating their plots 'whether, in view of the long waiting list, they will be prepared to' agree to one half of their allotments-being let to an applicant on the Council's list.
In November 1948 the Croxley Resident Magazine reported; As there is a number of the allotments at Croxley Woods lacking attention, thereby causing harm to the condition of those which .are being properly cultivated, the Surveyor has been instructed to make a survey of these allotments to enable the Open Spaces and Allotments Committee to make an investigation of the site. It is also reported' that the Clerk of the Council has been instructed to ask those allotment holders at Barton Way, who are not wholly cultivating their plots 'whether, in view of the long waiting list, they will be prepared to' agree to one half of their allotments-being let to an applicant on the Council's list.
1950
The Allotment Act of 26th October 1950 was amended to abolish restrictions on the keeping of hens and rabbits.
The Allotment Act of 26th October 1950 was amended to abolish restrictions on the keeping of hens and rabbits.
1954
Croxley Woods Allotments: An L.C.C. suggestion that these allotments be allowed to revert to "open space" has been turned down by the Council. It was felt its present use in the face of the national drive for food production was of greater importance than as an "open space". We applaud the Council's action. A balanced perspective is not always apparent in planning at County levels these days.
Croxley Woods Allotments: An L.C.C. suggestion that these allotments be allowed to revert to "open space" has been turned down by the Council. It was felt its present use in the face of the national drive for food production was of greater importance than as an "open space". We applaud the Council's action. A balanced perspective is not always apparent in planning at County levels these days.
