End of an era as former Barclays bank development in Diss puts pay to family’s ‘secret garden’

The conversion of a town bank into flats will herald the end of an era for a family’s “hidden garden”, which they have cherished for 47 years.

Old Bucks Developments Ltd has submitted plans to transform the former Barclays bank site on Market Hill, Diss, which has been closed since August 2023, into five two-bedroom flats, while retaining a portion of the ground floor space for retail use.

If the plans are approved, it will mean 81-year-old Mark Aiken will have to say goodbye to his allotment, which is nestled behind the building.

The son of market gardeners in Blo’ Norton, Mr Aiken took on the patch, which stretches down to the Mere, almost 50 years ago.

“I joined Royal Mail in the early ‘70s in a part-time role delivering to North Lopham,” he said. “Then I got a full-time job as a postman in Diss.

“I had not been there long when a colleague asked me if I was looking for an allotment and told me to go to see the manager at Barclay’s bank.

“So I did, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Not only has the father-of-four kept the allotment flowing with the likes of cucumbers, marrows and broad beans, he has also kept the car park near the space tidy as well.

“I started off with a rent of £12, which at the time was the going rate for an allotment is Diss,” said Mr Aiken, who spent 35 years with Royal Mail, included a spell as manager of the town’s sorting office, before retiring at the age of 60.

“Our family have grown up with the allotment, which has meant lots of fruit and veg, wheelbarrow rides and bonfires.

“One time, someone called the fire brigade but, because they knew me at the station, they just sent one fireman and he made my grandchildren’s day by handing his helmet around so they could all try it on.”

Daughter Hanna Rusted said: “As a child, it was a magical place as we used to be able to go from the hustle and bustle of Diss into the peace and tranquility of what felt like a secret garden – just by disappearing down a few steps at the back of the bank.

“Over the years, we have watched dad and mum work hard to maintain the space, and grow fruit and vegetables that we enjoyed.

“As our family grew, it was the ideal place to come together and spend time barbecuing in all weathers and celebrating milestones or special occasions.

“We are sad to be losing it, but are immensely proud of dad and the work he has put in over all these years. These are memories that will always be treasured as part of our family history.”

The gardener, who married Finnish pen pal Paula in the 1970s when he started the plot, said the years had flown by.

“It is the end of an era as I have had the allotment for 47 years,” he said. “I have until the end of June and we are planning a big party on the site to say goodbye.

“Every day now I am clearing stuff away; it is really sad but also good that the building and land is going to be used and not left empty.

“This has been such a great place and it will be so hard to leave. I do not know if I want to do it somewhere else as there has been a lot of memories made here.

“I am surprised that the plot has been going this long. It makes one wonder where the time has gone?”