For most of the time that we have lived here in Newmans Green (more than 25 years now!)there has been a patch of unused land on the other side of the once green triangle at the bottom of our garden. Owned by the County Council, the land occasionally had a pony or some sheep on it, but was never put to much use.
A couple of years ago it was taken in hand by someone who has made a very nice vegetable plot there, and it is a great improvement. The spot reminds me of the many little plots of all shapes and sizes that were scattered round the village in which I grew up near Stratford upon Avon. Being in the Vale of Evesham no patch of ground was left uncultivated, and the produce often included the delicious mounds and delicate fronds of what in Warwickshire was called ‘sparrow-grass’. Conversation often revolved around vegetable growing, with issues such as whether picking Brussels sprouts makes your hands soft, causing endless debate among the elders of the village and doyens of the annual flower show.
Now a flock of six Black Rock chickens have made an appearance on the land across the triangle. I understand that these birds are particularly appropriate for this sort of open site, laying as many as 240 eggs a year, and, according to one website ‘laying well into their dotage’. I am very pleased to say that the chickens are the property of my friend and neighbour Ann Sagan, who received them as a Christmas gift from her family.
Nick and I have already enjoyed these very local fresh eggs, and are looking forward to some more.
