Anne-Marie Briscombe
2025. The Cotswolds, UK.
My project is about a small group of volunteers, mainly men in later life, who meet weekly to tend a plot of land beside a community orchard on the outskirts of a Cotswold market town. They understand and respect the land, growing fresh, affordable vegetables for the local community. Anything not sold is donated to the community larder. As part of the International Men’s Shed movement, they bring a wealth of experience from varied working lives. Their passion and commitment have seen the plot grow from 120sqm in 2019 to over 250sqm today. Working together, they chat, connect, share stories and gently tease each other with warm affection. They follow the seasons, adapting to hotter summers and wetter winters, planning and planting on a small scale but achieving a fruitful yield of both familiar and lesser-known, nutrient-rich vegetables. In its quiet, unsung way, this project brings lasting benefits to the community, the land and the individuals themselves
The Polytunnel, 2025. The Cotswolds, UK.
With the weather improving, team members begin the construction of a donated polytunnel. Preparation requires the digging of a trench around the base of the polytunnel, which is then back filled with soil to keep it firmly grounded. The process combines good communication and manual labour to produce a structure capable of withstanding gusty winds and other challenging weather conditions, particularly frost. The polytunnel provides the team with a shelter from the rain, a secure, dry storage facility and a suitable environment in which to bring on seedlings and young plants.
Preparing the Soil, 2025. The Cotswolds, UK.
The men prepare the soil for planting. It took some time to clear the main site of weeds and nettles after two years of neglect. It then became necessary to test the soil to determine the pH levels before committing to further investment. Soil pH is a critical factor influencing soil fertility as it affects nutrient availability, microbial activity and overall plant health. The reading confirmed a nutrient-rich soil. Improving soil quality without the extended use of chemicals is a high priority and in line with their mission statement, “Quality not Quantity”. To achieve this, the team visit the local stables and collect as many bags of manure as they can handle. This annual task involves the cooperation of the local council, who provide transport.
Coffee Break, 2025. The Cotswolds, UK.
A mid-morning break of coffee and biscuits (sometimes cake) is an essential part of the day. It is the time to relax and to discuss various aspects of the project. During their time working together on the allotment the men, from all walks of life, have developed good friendships. There is a common bond in their shared interest in nature and for fulfilling the potential of this patch of land that just a few years ago was a neglected and overgrown plot.
The Cabbage, 2025. The Cotswolds, UK.
A camera-shy member of the group holds aloft a prize cabbage. With the regular addition of manure and plot-generated compost, the vegetable crop became more abundant and, in the case of their cabbage variety, quite impressive, with little pest activity present. Cabbages have proved to be another much in-demand green vegetable as it is versatile, easy to prepare and packed with vitamins.