Lesley Acton

Dr Lesley Acton’s interest in the history of the allotment movement stems from a passionate desire to preserve the past for future generations. Lesley is especially interested in documenting the culinary lives and leisure activities of ordinary people, hence her research into allotments and the people that gardened them. The study of allotment history has been largely neglected due to its perceived mundane nature, but in Growing Space, Lesley reveals that allotments were about so much more than growing food. The long history of allotments is primarily a story about relieving hunger, and while feeding people has indeed been a significant part of the story – it has been only that – a part of the story. Growing Space tells another side of the story, one of intrigue, lawsuits, government, politics, wars, land grabs, art, culture, recreation and not least of all, want and plenty.

Lesley has worked worldwide for over 30 years as conservator and museum professional, lecturer, researcher and public speaker. She is the author of several books on conservation, along with numerous other publications on various aspects of cultural heritage and history. She holds a PhD in Cultural Heritage Studies from University College London and is an advocate for social justice, urban agriculture and food security.