Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Grow For Good is the heritage element of a larger project, SHEDx. Grow for Good has researched the stories of local people and their connection to allotment gardening, tracing the overall history of allotments in Surbiton, Tolworth and Chessington, today part of the southwest London borough of Kingston upon Thames, as well as across Britain more broadly. We hope you enjoy the findings discovered by volunteers and heritage experts in this website which brings together all of the research from the last twelve months work.
Tolworth Main Allotment
Mr Middleton
The Humble Shed
Where the whole project started! The wonderful allotment where we have our own plot and a suburban farm is a blossoming heart for the community with a fascinating history dating back to the early 20th century.
Cecil Henry Middleton, known to the nation as simply ‘Mr Middleton’ was the voice of the Dig for Victory Campaign. This much loved figure lived in Surbiton from 1929 until he died in 1945.
Each plot on an allotment is its own kingdom and sanctuary, full of individual expression and character. A key part of its identity is the shed, often homemade and unique in their appearance.