Rod Gardiner's story
In 1946 the father of one of Rod’s cricketing friends had an allotment and once introduced as a prospective plot holder, Rod’s long stay on plot 41 began.
Despite the plot being in a very bad state Mr Wilkinson, the ground steward decided it was indeed to be Rod’s plot and so it was. Harold Stenning on plot 84, a long-standing member and a fellow cricket lover became a good friend and guide. Despite working in a bank in London and playing cricket every weekend, Rod took on a half plot, number 78 and eventually plot 42, next to 41.
At this time, the estate known as Shirley Oaks Village had not yet been built. The plots extended across this area to the garden walls of nearby residents. Later this ground was given up for the new houses and in return the society acquired the social club building, now known as the hall, where we have functions such as our annual show and the AGM meeting, we also acquired the land known as the pony field, which is now our wildlife area.
The present toilet block had not been built and the trading centre (known as the trading hut) was much smaller and situated near the canteen. Later on, Rod volunteered to help in the trading centre where he worked very happily with the late Fred Bennet. Dorothy Bull and her father ran the trading centre and in more recent years, Rod’s son, Paul became another volunteer whilst his wife, Lynda helped in the canteen.
An incident happened between Rod and Mr Cooper, who was Trading Treasurer at the time. Rod normally used his moped to get to the allotments and for safekeeping pushed this up to his plot. Mr Cooper saw a moped near to Rod’s plot and was furious, telling Rod in no uncertain terms his views about bikes and keeping the paths pristine. Rod waited patiently for the tirade to finish and then informed his castigator that the moped in question had nothing whatever to do with him.
His favourite fruit are strawberries, his favourite potatoes are Accent and Romano and his favourite vegetables are runner beans.
Sadly, due to ill health Rod had to give up his plots in 2023. In the previous years as his health declined, he had enormous help from Maria Barrow a nearby plot holder.
