These photos were taken in the Black Country town of Smethick in Sandwell, West Midlands. These allotments lie on a steady slant tucked away in the residential heart of Smethwick. Stony Lane runs along the bottom, leading you to the main road where you can see the Guru Nanak Gurdwara. The allotment community here is made up of Punjabi Sikhs who settled in the Midlands for work in the 60s and 70s. Many of the retired men and some women come here to harvest crops like their ancestors back in Punjab. The space they have created is unique to them with their decorated huts where they can spend time in solitude or with friends. It keeps them connected, stimulated, active and more importantly talking to one another. An all round healthy environment where you feel a sense of community, and a home away from home in more ways than one.

Thank you to Harjinder Singh Rana and Talvinder Kaur Rana for allowing me to capture the allotments and, everyone for their hospitality and warmth during my two visits in May and August 2021. Thank you Chris Neophytou, Out Of Place Books, Nahwand Jaff, Daniel Esteban, Tom Yip, Anjali Barot, Priya Barot, Nirbhai Singh Sidhu (Nep Sidhu), Manveer Kaur Matharu (MamaManvz), Mandeep Singh Kalsi, Jagmohan Singh Villkhu (The Royal Jesters), ACV Magazine and Connor Rankin

Thank you Smethwick.