Mandy Sutter, Writer

The fallen wych elm on our allotment is attracting attention. It’s close to the fence at one end, so passing male dogs can pee on it. Male men would probably like to do the same. But convention dictates that they can only eye it and ask questions. What happened to your tree?’ asks one. His [...]

The snow has gone, like something we all dreamt. At the allotment I share with Dad (87), it’s a shock to see the ground with no white blanket.  It looks so brown. And bare. I’m surprised by my own surprise. And then, as I wander around the plot, I begin waxing lyrical. Ah, the human [...]

Fences do funny things to people. The allotments’ back fence is uber-secure. Its mesh rectangles are too narrow for a foothold, its height sufficient to stop anyone hauling themselves up, and rules and regs stipulate no sheds near the fence to break the fall. It has all been thought out. Of course, anyone could walk [...]

I am away from home for a few nights. When I leave, there are two trees on the allotment. When I come back, there are one and a half. It’s no surprise. Over the past fortnight, in every gap in conversation (and even when there hasn’t been a gap) Dad has said, ‘I’ve been thinking [...]