Page 57 - ALG Issue 3 2014

West Midlands
West Midlands Air Ambulance
Members of Cheslyn Hay Community Allotments and the local community took a break from weeding, watering and planting on Sunday, 13th April to raise funds for West Midlands Air Ambulance (the charity adopted for the year at the October A.G.M.) and to officially launch their new raised beds.
Bright seasonal sunshine and a brisk shower bracketed the event, which had been publicised on the group’s website (www.challotments. wordpress.com), Facebook, and through local posters and flyers.
Tea, coffee and a range of delicious homemade cakes (some made using ingredients grown on the allotments) were popular, and the event raised over £150 for the Air Ambulance, who are looking to fund night-flying training and operations.
join in with gardening activities and enjoy the benefits of an active, outdoor, healthy lifestyle. The site has over a hundred plots and a good mix of gardeners with varying methods and levels of expertise. The raised beds are very much a new venture for the organisation but have shown what a positive-minded, adaptable approach can produce. Local businesses and traders were very supportive of the project, offering advice, providing materials and labour.
The five raised beds are taken up by local community groups M.I.N.D. (based in nearby Heath Hayes) and Rockspur (from Codsall); both groups were represented on Sunday.
Also on view were the ambitious plans for the community area, toilets and a horticultural education building.
Councillor Mike Lawrence of South Staffordshire visited the site to “cut the ribbon” and open the raised beds with a pair of gold-bladed hedge clippers, specially prepared for the occasion. Amazing what you can do with a can of paint!
The raised beds are the product of several years of planning and work, funded by Staffordshire County Council’s Community Wellbeing Fund. The idea is to provide opportunities for people with disabilities to
“I am very impressed with Cheslyn Hay Allotments; they are very well maintained and managed”
Councillor Mike Lawrence said: “I am very impressed with Cheslyn Hay Allotments; they are very well maintained and managed. There is a genuine community spirit and the provision of raised beds will give people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy gardening.
I would like to congratulate all those involved in this unique project.”
Paul Higgs
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