The Story of Drew's Melons

as told by Andrew Reid

Do you remember the strange story, perhaps “Drew’s Melons Tale”?

No!  Then I’ll begin……..

One day two years ago, Drew Wilson noticed an elderly Chinese couple looking through the fence at what people were growing in Inverleith Park Allotments.  They seemed intrigued by all the varieties of vegetables.  Being the helpful and generous person we all know, Drew asked them if they wanted to come into the allotments and have a closer look.  They did not speak good English, so communication was difficult, but there was a bond between fellow vegetable plant lovers from opposite ends of the world.  The couple returned occasionally to watch the seasons progress.  On one visit, they presented Drew with a small selection of seedlings, which they described as “melons”, and asked him to plant them.  They grew….. and grew…… and grew.  The leaves were like the marrow/courgette family, but the fruits were large rugby ball shaped, striped light green and white.  They seemed to grow well in the local soil and were no trouble, other than spreading out over a large area.

Some time later, moving forward to summer of 2005, on holiday in the USA, I was introduced to a neighbour of friends we were staying with.  This chap, it transpires has a long established interest in British Allotments.  He likes nothing better than to wander around allotments admiring the view, chatting to any available plotholders, and, occasionally photographing crumbling/patched up huts.  He asked to visit Inverleith Park Allotments, and this duly happened.  On his visit, I showed him round, he thoroughly approved, then (you’ve guessed it) we met Drew, and the story of the melons was recounted.  The event was photographed, it turned out very well, the American, Michael Cross is his name, he sent a copy of the photograph and enquired about how things turned out.

So, for you Michael, slightly delayed, is the story and pictures. All the very best of luck from Inverleith Allotments.

Drew and Andrew Reid in the Melon Patch	Margaret McGee who also grew some of the Melons.