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During the Second World War, the British government initiated the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign, urging citizens to cultivate their own food to counteract shortages caused by wartime disruptions. Allotment gardens across the country became vital in this national effort, and Countesthorpe in Leicestershire was no exception.
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Countesthorpe has a long-standing tradition of allotment gardening. Prior to World War I, numerous plots were cultivated throughout the village, including areas off Glebe Drive, Regent Road, Wigston Road, Austrey Lane, Peatling Road, and a significant enclosure known as ‘Galloway’ on the road towards Peatling Magna. The largest of these, located off Glebe Drive and locally referred to as the ‘Ag’, belonged to the Church Commissioners, with plot rents contributing to the Vicar’s income.
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With the onset of World War II and the pressing need for increased domestic food production, the governmentβs ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign galvanized communities to maximize local food cultivation. In Countesthorpe, this led to the formal establishment of an allotment association in 1940. A pivotal meeting at the Countesthorpe branch of the British Legion resulted in the creation of the Association, which set up its registered office in a building at the rear of 20 Main Streetβa former ‘Stockiners’ (Framework Knitterβs) shop used for hosiery production.
The formation of the Association enabled members to access resources such as lime under government subsidy schemes, enhancing soil quality and crop yields. This collective effort not only bolstered food supplies but also fostered a strong sense of community resilience during challenging times.
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Today, the Countesthorpe Gardens and Allotments Society continues to uphold the legacy of communal gardening. The allotment site remains a hub for organic vegetable cultivation and serves as a learning area where members and the wider community can engage in organised activities and educational initiatives related to gardening.
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While specific historical photographs of the Countesthorpe allotments during World War II are limited, general imagery of wartime allotment gardening can provide context and visual representation of the era. The Historic England Archive offers a collection of over 10,000 educational images, including those related to World War II, which can be accessed at: https://historicengland.org.uk/…/educational-images/
