BOTH Winsford allotment sites are still open and tenants can use them provided they adhere to the Covid-19 social distancing regulations.

Michael Gove, minister of the Cabinet Office told the BBC:"I think it is perfectly sensible for people to go to an allotment. It is in the very nature of an allotment that there is a safe distance between people working on individual allotments."

Gardeners say they find it relaxing and rewarding amid the pandemic crisis to tend to their plants and flowers at Over and Wharton.

Big-hearted tenants are tending to plots belonging to people unable to get there as they are self-isolating.

Winsford Town Council has issued allotment tenants with clear guidelines about using the allotments, reminding them about social distancing, not sharing tools, hand washing, and wearing gloves when touching gates and locks.

The council has also relaxed the ’no dogs on site’ rule, to allow tenants to take their dogs with them to the plot, as long as the dog remains on a lead at all times. This is a big help to tenants who have dogs as they can now spend longer outdoors on their plots.

Northwich Guardian:

Over Allotment holders are tending to plots for tenants who are in self-isolation

Over Allotments Association has been keeping its members up-to-date with emails and phone calls.

Some are self-isolating at home and others are tending to their plots in their absence.

John Malam, vice chairman of Over Allotments Association, said: "There’s a very strong community spirit at Over Allotments and we’re really seeing how people are pulling together to help each other."

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The crisis has meant the annual plant sale in on May 18 and children’s open day in the summer have been cancelled and the public open day on July 18 is in doubt.

"We’d booked Mikron Theatre for their annual visit in September but Mikron have cancelled the whole of their 2020 UK tour," said John. "Calling off our fundraising events has a knock-on effect for our two charity partners, one of whom is always St Luke’s Hospice. As we’re not able to raise funds this year, we won’t be able to make a charitable donation."

Plants are continuing to grow, he said, as nature's annual cycle continues.

John added: "Seeds are sown and vegetable plants are starting to show. Fruit trees are coming into blossom, and early potatoes are in leaf. Nature’s annual cycle continues.

"When all this is behind us and the world is reset, I can see an upsurge in demand for allotments.

"They’re an important part of our social fabric, where people of all ages and backgrounds share a common interest and form lifelong friendships"