Page 39 - Allotment Gardener Issue 1 2024

READERS ARTICLES
A Prize Polytunnel
for Peaksfield
Back in April 2023, our committee chair, Neil Whitehead, applied for a National Lottery Grant and, after what felt like a long 12 weeks wait, he was told the brilliant news that we had been successful – and had been awarded £5000!
Neil’s dream for the money was to create
a communal space for all of Peaksfield’s Community Allotment Association plotholders to use and he earmarked a space of wasteland at the entrance to the site to install a 35ft x14ft polytunnel. Using a local builder (and plotholder), the groundwork started in August and First Tunnels (a polytunnel supplier) began building shortly after.
The vision for the communal polytunnel was to allow access to a growing space for all plotholders to use and to also hold socials and events throughout the year. On Saturday 16th
September we had our ‘grand opening’ - with local Councillor, Daniel Wescott, cutting the ribbon. We also took this opportunity to hold our first ever summer show (which we hope will become an annual event). We had various categories such as wonky veg, flower arranging and recipes using plot grown produce kindly judged by members of ‘Grimsby in Bloom’.
The polytunnel has been a welcomed asset by all plotholders and we hope it will be enjoyed for many years to come!
Heather Coleman - Secretary of Peaksfield Community Allotment Association Committee
“The vision for the communal polytunnel was to allow access to a growing space for all plotholders to use”
Allotment Gardener | Issue 1 2024 | 39