Frankland Road Alotments
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 Michaelmas 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 Michaelmas 1910 at a rent to be fixed by the Small Holdings Committee.
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The Frankland Road allotments in Croxley Green were part of a larger development in the area, including Frankland Close, which took its name from a benefactor of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, who once owned the Manor of Croxley. The allotments themselves, along with the surrounding area, were developed as part of the Metroland expansion in the late 1920s to early 1930s, when the Nuttfield Estate was built. The fields in the area were eventually taken over for housing, including the Frankland Road area, which was originally called Nuttfield Estate.
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.
1949
The Council's Open Spaces Committee further considered the proposal to provide a water supply to Frankland Road allotments. (thankfully, the water supply still continues today)
The Council's Open Spaces Committee further considered the proposal to provide a water supply to Frankland Road allotments. (thankfully, the water supply still continues today)
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.
1981 - 19th March
The Constitution of Frankland Road Allotment Association was updated in 1981 and can be downloaded below
The Constitution of Frankland Road Allotment Association was updated in 1981 and can be downloaded below
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1996 (© Pat Foster) Frankland Road Allotments - highlighted in red
Other Allotments in Croxley Green are;
Barton Way Allotment Association
Croxley Hall Woods Allotment Association
Lavrock Lane Allotment Association
Other Allotments in Croxley Green are;
Barton Way Allotment Association
Croxley Hall Woods Allotment Association
Lavrock Lane Allotment Association
