Lizzie Stephens has made many new friends at her allotment in Bedminster. 'When you first turn up you don't talk to no-one but your neighbours. But after about six months you are saying hello to everyone and listening to their stories.' The allotment holders like an extended family: 'You'll be chatting away to someone about their plot and then you'll find out Colin's had a heart attack, so everyone rallies round and does some digging for him. We look out for each other.'

Lizzie plans to organise barbecues to encourage even more social interaction. But not everyone on site is happy with the new scene. 'It used to be quite elitist with all these men in their 60s and 70s left alone to do their thing. And then suddenly this allotment trend takes off and all these young families, professionals and kids show up. I think it's been a bit overwhelming for some, but others think it's great and have just gone with it.'

Meanwhile, at Horfield Allotments, Granville Prendergast's friends know when he is around. 'I'm a person who likes to make a noise while I'm working. I like to sing. I like to laugh. Laughter is good for your health. Laughing and growing vegetables.'

He shares his produce with his family, a tradition that goes back to his childhood days in Jamaica. 'We've eaten a lot of vegetables and we've never been sick, never seen a doctor in our lives.'