Suzanne Harrup, at Reede Rd, Allotments

Suzanne Harrup is the steward at the allotment site in Reede Road, Dagenham. The raised bed gardens unveiled in 2006 are expanding after holders were given extra land in 2009.

Here, the 45-year-old mum from Croppath Road in Dagenham reveals some of the benefits behind a custom nurtured for centuries.

As far back as I can remember there has always been an allotment holder in our family, but over the years I have watched them change dramatically.

However, one thing that has always remained is the community feeling you find on all allotment sites.

As far back as the days of rural levies and taxes, when most sites were owned by the church, to the days of the Second World War when land was commissioned by the Ministry of Food to turn to allotments so that people could “dig for victory”, the feeling of a community has always remained.

Our allotment at Reede Road is a complete new vision in so-called “allotmenteering”. We are a complete hard-standing site with all raised beds, making farming a possibility for everyone in the community.

From the very young to the very old, the disabled to the able-bodied, everyone can know the joys of having an allotment.

We at Reede Road are a group of about 35 and grow the usual to the very unusual. We have regular fun events on the site, including our children’s annual Hallowe’en party, which is always a huge night of fun and games.

I could fill a whole book of the advantages of having an allotment – healthy living and eating, meeting new people, relaxation, friendship are just a few.

The good news, however, at Reede Road is that we have been lucky enough to be granted some extra land, which has enabled us to expand our site to build more beds.

So don’t take my word for it pop over to see us, and see for yourself the joys of being an allotment holder.