Oakridge AllotmentsWith the increasing popularity of grow your own produce it is worth a reminder that there is still plenty of space for new allotments at the three Oakridge sites of Oakridge Lynch (adjacent to the Recreation Ground), Far Oakridge and Waterlane. There are currently 29 tenanted, some on a shared basis. A full size allotment is roughly 250 sq yards which may seem daunting at first glance. Why not start with a half allotment to see how you go? The rental payable at the beginning of April each year is £5 for Oakridge Lynch which has access to mains water, and £3 for Far Oakridge and Waterlane, which do not. If you would like to find out more, do contact the Allotments Warden, Gareth Newton on 01285 760331, e-mail . Bisley Allotments2010 Allotment update: The Chestergate Allotments are leased to the Parish Council from the Ancient Charities of Bisley. We have a thriving allotment holders group, a Children's Allotment, and two allotment holders keep chickens.In 2003 the Parish Council Allotment Warden proposed a long - term strategy to revitalise the allotment site. It started with a small band of volunteers clearing disused allotments of rubbish and dividing huge allotments into smaller more manageable plots. A small grant from the District Council's Rural Investment Fund helped to support the professional aspect of this project – making and mowing paths, ploughing unused plots, creating new accessible water tanks, etc (this fund has just been abolished and we feel it is a great loss for small community initiatives of this kind – giving them the encouragement needed to get going). There are now 36 allotments being worked; many by families with children. Some allotment holders have a half sized plot. We also have a dedicated Children's Allotment that will start this summer, supported by the Parish Council. The allotment holders hold a meeting during National Allotments Week in August at which issues are discussed. As a result of requests, the Parish Council now mows the 3m paths between the allotments, keeping the site looking fairly neat. The four tanks supply easily accessible water. As a result of another suggestion we held a 'Seed Swap' during Bisley’s Zero Waste Challenge Week in January 2009. This was supported by Go Organic's Heritage Seed Scheme, which supplied some amazing and unusual varieties of seed for us to swap and try. The second stage of the revitalisation strategy was the now very successful Bisley Community Composting Scheme. The third stage of the revitalization of the allotment's site is our community orchard of local Gloucestershire fruit trees. This project is supported by Bisley village residents who voted to give the money won as a result of Bisley's Calor Gas 'Gloucestershire Environment Village of the Year' Award 2008 to this idea, and by the C02 Fund. An orchard workshop led by Dave Kaspar of Days Orchard (Apple Juice) during Bisley's Zero Waste Week was well attended. If you want to get healthy (Bisley's own 'green gym'), grow your own fruit and vegetables, keep chickens or rabbits, then there is nothing better than to rent an allotment. Rent is £10 a year per allotment. Contact me on: Lesley Greene For allotments in Eastcombe, see our directory of services. | |
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8 April 2010 |