Seems you don't have a TV in the house Will. I don't know how much coverage there has been on this topic and in many many cases Government representatives have elaborated on the directives so people are clear. The Daily Express article was the first one that came up when I googled hence the quote. It is this additional commentary which is being widely publicised as there is some clarity required on the specific text. Here's another: (there are hundreds of articles and commentary to help the public get a more rounded understanding of what and why the Government is asking us to take this measures).
You just might be the only person in the country who thinks you can drive around looking for somewhere to exercise. I really can't help you any further if you think that driving to a park is essential travel so let's leave it at that. Enjoy your gardening.
I've had my name down for an allotment for the last two years.I finally had an offer of a half plot two days ago.I jumped at the chance but was a little worried about the social distancing aspect,particularly as i'm off work for three months.I needn't have worried.I visited yesterday morning to be shown my plot and by yesterday afternoon i was down there (it's within walking distance) weeding.I have to say,it's saved my sanity.I've only been out twice since lockdown and though i have a garden i really needed the change of scene.I was beginning to feel agoraphobic.I do hope they keep ours open!
Thank you for all
your comments. My allotment is 10 minutes walk from the house. I
can see the allotments from my lounge window and walk passed it when
I take my dog out. It is interesting that no one has posted to say
their allotment has been closed. It is a new allotment as our old
site is being built on. We are not allowed to have bonfires,
sheds or grow grass! The day before they locked the allotments I
planted bare rooted fruit shrubs and left three fruit trees in pots
with all my tools on the site as I intended to go back the following
day. They would not let me recover them. As my trees have not been
watered they will all be dead by now. It all adds, needlessly, to
the current misery we are all facing. However, keep growing and think of
happier times.
Just for the record the official guidance is one form of exercise per day close to home. There is no limit on how long you may spend doing it.
We are asked not to make non-essential journeys in cars. That is partly because anyone driving in a car needs to put fuel in it, may breakdown, may have an accident - all of which can lead to unforseen Social Contact.
My personal take on this is that it is rather high handed for the council to close Mary's allotments.
If you can walk to your allotment and maintain social distancing it seems an excellent and productive way to keep active and protect your mental health - and you can stay there with your flask and sarnies for as long as you want. And you can chat with your fellow allotmenteers so long as you maintain a distance.
I wonder why Mary's council thought it necessary to close hers? We have 2 areas of well tended allotments in the village. Both busy with people tending their plots but they're all just that - busy. They exchange pleasantries but they're not standing around in a huddle drinking tea.
They're not allowed to have bonfires so the social nuisance caused by people burning domestic rubbish doesn't apply.
@maryfraserdix - I wonder if it's worth finding out who made this ruling. If it's a parish council a nicely worded letter might persuade them to reopen. Won't save your plants though😢
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
I back onto allotments and they're still open.its in a village so it's all people who live nearby.but theres very little social distancing .I just dont think people remember.or know how to interpret the guidelines.the government advise is just that.and everyone interprets it differently sadly.
I feel sorry for people with closed allotments. I don't have one myself but I know about people who use it to make their food bills lower. And with the economic downturn and many people losing jobs or work, allotments can be seen as an essential food production rather than exercise (or even as a key work). I hope it's not too common for them to be closed.
I would've thought driving to the allotment would be the perfect form of social distancing. You're more likely to get closer than two metres from someone if you walk there. The trouble is, you'd get morons who would claim to be driving 500miles to their allotment in the lake district.
Posts
Or here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
https://fullfact.org/health/coronavirus-essential-travel/
You just might be the only person in the country who thinks you can drive around looking for somewhere to exercise. I really can't help you any further if you think that driving to a park is essential travel so let's leave it at that. Enjoy your gardening.
Thank you for all your comments. My allotment is 10 minutes walk from the house. I can see the allotments from my lounge window and walk passed it when I take my dog out. It is interesting that no one has posted to say their allotment has been closed. It is a new allotment as our old site is being built on. We are not allowed to have bonfires, sheds or grow grass! The day before they locked the allotments I planted bare rooted fruit shrubs and left three fruit trees in pots with all my tools on the site as I intended to go back the following day. They would not let me recover them. As my trees have not been watered they will all be dead by now. It all adds, needlessly, to the current misery we are all facing. However, keep growing and think of happier times.
We are asked not to make non-essential journeys in cars. That is partly because anyone driving in a car needs to put fuel in it, may breakdown, may have an accident - all of which can lead to unforseen Social Contact.
My personal take on this is that it is rather high handed for the council to close Mary's allotments.
If you can walk to your allotment and maintain social distancing it seems an excellent and productive way to keep active and protect your mental health - and you can stay there with your flask and sarnies for as long as you want. And you can chat with your fellow allotmenteers so long as you maintain a distance.
I wonder why Mary's council thought it necessary to close hers? We have 2 areas of well tended allotments in the village. Both busy with people tending their plots but they're all just that - busy. They exchange pleasantries but they're not standing around in a huddle drinking tea.
They're not allowed to have bonfires so the social nuisance caused by people burning domestic rubbish doesn't apply.
@maryfraserdix - I wonder if it's worth finding out who made this ruling. If it's a parish council a nicely worded letter might persuade them to reopen. Won't save your plants though😢
The trouble is, you'd get morons who would claim to be driving 500miles to their allotment in the lake district.