Allotment Gardening Association Formed

An allotment gardening meeting was held on Monday 12th June 2011 in Old Weston Village Hall, and was addressed by Karen Kenny, who is the Eastern Region representative for the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardens.

She described in some detail how allotments can benefit the community as a whole, for example by reducing its carbon footprint, contributing to a healthier diet and increasing exercise and well-being for ollotmenteers. Other benefits included education and possibly support for vulnerable individuals. She said that in some areas Doctors had prescribed allotment gardening to help individuals back to health and well-being.

She emphasised that the amount of land needed was relatively small - something like one acre of land being needed to house 13 allotments. Ms Kenny explained that often land had been gained for allotments through village trusts, glebe land and also some farmers had been able to straighten up odd corners of fields in order to benefit villages so that they could have allotments.

Prior to the meeting seven villagers had expressed their wish to have allotments. There was some discussion about where land might be found to accommodate such a venture. Karen advised that the Parish Council have a duty to provide land under the 1908 Allotment Act of Parliament if more than six people express an interest. Members of the Council were at the meeting and have taken away the item to investigate.

In order to advance the prospect for allotments in Old Weston, an Association was formed at the meeting with Silvia Earl as the chair. Anyone interested in having an allotment, or who may want a share in an allotment is welcome to join the Association. Anyone who may not want an allotment but would like to support the idea is also very welcome to join the Association. The membership costs just £5. For this you get a quarterly magazine, and the opportunity to buy seeds at a reduced rate which could recoup the cost of membership! The association awaits the findings of the Parish Council who is looking for appropriate land.

For further information contact the Publicity Officer, Mr Andrew Brown on 01832 293339.

Duty of certain councils to provide allotments.

(1)If the council of any borough, urban district, or parish are of opinion that there is a demand for allotments . . . F2 in the borough, urban district, or parish, . . . the council shall provide a sufficient number of allotments, and shall let such allotments to persons . . . resident in the borough, district, or parish, and desiring to take the same. (2)On a representation in writing to the council of any borough, urban district, or parish, by any six registered parliamentary electors or [F3persons who are liable to pay an amount in respect of council tax] resident in the borough, urban district, or parish, that the circumstances of the borough, urban district, or parish are such that it is the duty of the council to take proceedings under this Part of this Act therein, the council shall take such representation into consideration.