Hello. I live in Portsmouth.

[Elijay]

I'm newly retired and since January I've been refurbishing my back garden. It's been quite hard work but immensely satisfying. I'm not at the planting stage yet but at long last I'm starting to plan.

I'm not new to gardening but haven't grown any edibles since the sixties. As my income has dropped I've just decided it's time to save money by growing some vegetables.

I'm the same age as Mick Jagger and like him I'm blessed with good health. Gardening is much nicer (and cheaper) than going to the Gym.

[Flummery]

Bet you're better looking than him too! Welcome to the grapevine, fount of all widom!

[Topaz]

welcome.

I am reatively new to this site and moved from Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight 6 years ago.

This site has been invaluable to me as i am quite new to growing.

Good luck with your venture and enjoy your retirement.

[shirley]

Hi and welcome...I am just a little way from you at Fareham

[Paul Wagland]

I lived in Southsea for five years - wonder what my old allotment looks like now...

Welcome to the 'vine Elijay.

[Elijay]

I lived in Southsea for five years - wonder what my old allotment looks like now...

Welcome to the 'vine Elijay.

Hello Paul.

What part of Portsmouth was your allotment sited?

I live on the slopes of Portsdown hill, near the hospital. I am very lucky to have a large south facing back garden. My small front garden faces north. As it's small, gloomy and damp it's difficult to cultivate so I don't have any idea what to grow there. All I do is clear up the rubbish blown in from the street.

Best wishes, Liz.

[Paul Wagland]

Hi Liz, I forget the name of the site, but it was around North End / Fratton. The one I really wanted (with the longest waiting list) was always over by the Hayling ferry - free seaweed straight off the beach!

[Elijay]

I'm guessing it may have been on the south side of Burrfields Road? Was it called Moneyfields? Until I investigated I didn't know the city had so many sites. They are Durrants - Northarbour - Knowsley Road - Salisbury Road - Horsea Lane - Tipner Lane - Longmeadow - Moneyfields - Hope Cottage - Eastney Lake and Milton Piece. Durrants is situated in Rowlands Castle.

The local paper printed this on 28th March.

'Both Havant and Portsmouth councils could net a share of £4m if allotments in Leigh Park are turned into housing. The two authorities are set to strike a deal whereby Havant relinquishes a 100-year lease on the Riders Lane plot in return for a cut of the final sale.

Papers show that if Havant Borough Council gives Portsmouth City Council planning permission to build 112 homes on the site, the land will be worth more than £4m.

Havant, which pays £24 a year to lease the allotments until 2053, will then receive up to £1.3m if it agrees to break the contract early. Portsmouth will get the rest'.

As Portsmouth City Council is rather strapped for cash I guess this sale will go ahead. I know there is pressure to construct more housing but I'll be very sad if more green space disappears under concrete.

[Paul Wagland]

I'm guessing it may have been on the south side of Burrfields Road? Was it called Moneyfields?

Moneyfields! That was it! Thank you Liz, brought a smile to my face.

That's awful about the housing - is there no demand for plots there?