Page 52 - ALG Issue 1 2023

Southern
Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
REPRESENTATIVE
Mike Cantillon
07742 391364 mike.cantillon.nas@btinternet.com
Calls to 0845 numbers cost 3p (ex VAT) per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge
MENTOR
Paul Neary
Southern
0845 313 8422 pneary.nas@gmail.com
Welcome to our new members...
Barracks Lane Allotment Association Cashes Green & Applewood Organic
& Wildlife Allotment Association
Dover Avenue Allotments
Goodworth Growers Allotment Association The Sunninghill Fuel Allotment Trust
9 Individuals
Southern Region Looks Back on National Allotments Week
In Gosport the Deputy Regional Representative (Jim More) opened the Growing in Gosport Project for viewing by members of the public.
It was unfortunately the hottest day of the year (33°C) – up to 42°C in the polytunnel later in the afternoon. Footfall was lower than expected, but we were able to sign up some new ‘apprentice’ allotmenteers for next year. The Project spreads across three adjacent plots totalling 22 rods and comprises seven 2.5 rod plots with polytunnel and a dilapidated Anderson Shelter for a shed and a fruit area.
The Growing in Gosport Project operates from the Brockhurst Allotment Site in Gosport; this is a council run
site. The project grew from ideas following a number of people who we met at shows and displays saying they wanted to grow their own vegetables
but didn’t know how. Jim convinced
the Gosport Allotment Association to provide governance for the project on the proviso it was self-financing i.e.,
not to be funded by the Association. Then there was a stroke of luck when Gosport Volunteer Association (GVA) launched a Community Lottery. For £1
a ticket the good cause receives 40p donation. After some positive marketing to our Association members and members of the public a steady income flow was generated. Not a lot, but enough to get started.
The icing on the cake was a successful bid to the local GVA for a grant to buy a polytunnel for use as a classroom and also, of course, growing on plants.
This year has been the best so far with nine individuals involved in six plots. It’s not all been plain sailing. We started
with plots that were overgrown – normal for a council site – and subject to flooding in some parts and lots of ‘inherited rubbish’ to clear, and a 40ft apple tree that had to be removed before it fell down. Not forgetting,
of course, the Project was launched for the growing season in 2020 with four people, but COVID restrictions immediately reduced that to 2. It was a novel experience to demonstrate seed sowing and pricking out while separated by an 8ft cane!
52 Allotment and Leisure Gardener