EP.69 | Plotting for Wellbeing: Celebrating National Allotment Week.

In this episode, Chay and Laura are joined by Guy Herzmark, the Northern Regional Representative for the National Allotment Society (NAS). to talk all things National Allotment Week — running from 11th to 17th August 2025.

This year’s theme, Allotment and Wellbeing, puts a special spotlight on mental health and exploring the many ways allotments can boost our mood, improve our physical health, and connect us with nature and community. Guy shares the purpose of the week, along with practical ideas for how anyone can get involved — whether you have a plot or simply want to support the cause.

Listeners are treated to a fascinating bite-sized history lesson as Guy takes us back to the Anglo-Saxon era, tracing the origins and evolution of allotments in the UK.
We also address recent media reports suggesting allotment sites could be under threat from local authority development. Guy discusses the reality of these concerns, what can be done to protect these cherished spaces, and how the National Allotment Society advocates for plot holders when sites are at risk — offering a reassuring message for all allotment lovers.

You can find out more from their website: https://thenas.org.uk/

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Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.