On Friday evening Joe Callanan and a few fellow plotholders held an impromptu party to celebrate the anniversary of Joe’s becoming a plotholder. He was given his plot at 1 o’clock on 12th July 1959.
The occasion was enjoyed by all with a few celebratory refreshments and Joe’s stories of allotment life in the last century. A particular favourite was the story of his shed which he built in his first year.
It was the first shed to be put up in Smitham Allotments and caused a bit of controversy. One plotholder disliked it enough to report Joe to the Council. An official duly visited the site, examined the offending stucture and asked Joe if he would be able to demolish it within 24 hours. Certainly, said Joe. In that case it can stay, decided the official. On the way out the official whispered in Joe’s ear ‘I’m letting you keep it because my wife’s Irish like you’!
Postscript: Sadly Joe passed away on 5th September 2015. He is sadly missed.