Page 44 - ALG Issue 1 2025

SOUTH EAST
WATER,WATER
EVERYWHERE!
Tenterden is a pretty market town in the heart of Kent, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and rolling Wealden countryside. Like many small towns,Tenterden has grown,– and continues to grow-significantly, with an increasing population choosing to settle in or near to the town.There have been allotments in Tenterden since before 1900 and, in the early 1970s, Mr William Judge, as owner, offered the land to be handed to a Trust. It was Mr Judge’s express wish that the land be used for the benefit of the people of Tenterden, safeguarding the allotments’ future.
There are currently 35 allotments, of varying size, offering the opportunity
for residents of the town to enjoy the benefits of growing their own food, as well as sharing time and company with fellow allotment holders.There is a wide range of ages of allotment holders and many bring their children and grandchildren along to enjoy being par t of the community. There are people with mobility and disability challenges, including learning disability and stroke recovery.
The Trustees and management committee have worked tirelessly to ensure the allotments are kept productive and there is a 4-year waiting list.There is an annual allotment community day with prizes for best kept allotments and best newcomers.There is also a quarterly newsletter that all allotment holders can contribute to which allows sharing of information, recipes and top allotment tips!
There had been no water supply to
the allotments and as the climate has become increasingly warm and rainfall decreased over the summer months, it
had become harder for allotment holders to sustain their crops.We all have water butts and are encouraged to maximise the number of these within the confines of our allotment. However, this supply of water
is finite and people were having to carry water from home which caused significant problems, particularly for those with mobility challenges. It also led to a significant increase in car usage to transport the water during the summer months.
But in 2024 everything changed! We
were able to apply to the Amity Allotment Fund, through Kent Community Foundation, and secured a grant of £5,000, which, along with funding from the BrissendenTrust
and Tenterden Town Council, enabled our allotments to have a mains water supply.
It has transformed our lives and our crop production, bad backs are (almost!) a
thing of the past and we can all now grow our vegetables and flowers safe in the knowledge that should our water butts
run dry, we have access to additional water. Dunking tanks were chosen with a ballcock water limiter to avoid the risk of a tap being left on and they have revolutionised how we grow our produce!
We are so grateful to the Amity Allotment Fund and to Kent Community Foundation and hope the picture tells the story of some very happy allotmenteers in Tenterden!
William Judge - Trust Allotments Jean Curteis -Trustee Chairman
44 | Issue 1 2025 | Allotment and Leisure Gardener