Page 58 - ALG Issue 4 2014 Digital Edition

South East
Boxley Parish Council finally get the allotments they dreamed of
After decades of waiting, the residents of Boxley Parish, Maidstone have finally got parish allotments. On 24th August these allotments were officially opened by Andy Garland, presenter of Radio Kent’s The Sunday Gardening Show. The Chairman of Boxley Parish Council, Ivor Davies, said “The Parish Council had long aspired to providing allotments for residents but couldn’t find the land. But now Boxley has its own and very productive little Garden of Eden”.
Land becoming available in the Parish
of Boxley, most of which is within the
North Downs AONB, is rare. However,
in 2012 a small area did become
available and the Parish Council got in
quickly to purchase it at auction. This was quite a feat as at the same time the Parish Council was part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and was organising a Royal Visit to open a Community Orchard.
Having purchased half a field, the Parish Council had to prepare it and this included building an access road of over 200 metres to get to the site. The Royal and Ghurkha Engineers came to the Parish Council’s rescue with equipment and manpower, but it still required the purchase of hundreds of tons of stone. A working group was set up with one Councillor, Bob Hinder, almost living at the site during the three week construction period. With the support of the local Scout group who loaned their compound and hut facilities to the soldiers, a magnificent road now takes tenants up to the allotments and parking area. The Engineers proved to be prolific road builders and the project was used to train and refresh soldiers on the various and very large machines they brought to the site. They also became prolific at repairing the water pipe which was, for some reason, prone to being cut through. Whilst planning the road and site, the Parish Council joined NSALG and arranged for the Parish Clerk to attend an Allotment training day. She then used this training and the Association’s model documents to guide the Council through the setting up of rules and regulations etc.
In addition to rabbit-proof fencing, water supply, water troughs,
Unveiling of plaque
Ivor & Andy
Newspaper article picture
members’ noticeboard and a compostable toilet, there is a donated bench on which tenants can rest and admire the magnificent view of the AONB. The site has 64 quarter plots including 4 disabled quarter plots. The Parish Council are planning for the time that an allotments association is set up by installing a large shed. The majority of the funding came from the Parish Council with a donation from the County Councillor Paul Carter. When considering costs, the Parish Council recognised that this is a 200 year investment for the Parish.
Cllr Bob Hinder, Chairman of the Allotments Working Group, said “there is still some work to be done on the entrance area and we are dealing with issues as they arise. But, anyone who had seen the original bare field can only be amazed at the change in the 7 months since tenants started digging.”
In its first growing season, tenants have been surprised by the fertility of the site and were happy to share seedlings and advice, which quickly led to a community feeling amongst the plot holders. Andy Garland’s visit was hugely popular as he generously gave his time as well as advice. Tomato blight was a popular topic to discuss for tenants, some of whom have never grown vegetables. With the initial hard work of digging over and preparing the land, many hope for an even better season next year.
Pauline Bowdery
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