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                                South West
Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset
REPRESENTATIVE
Mr Neil Dixon
12 Flamstead Crescent, Kings Tamerton, Plymouth PL5 2AX 01752 363379 neildixon@blueyonder.co.uk
MENTOR
Allan Cavill
South West 07748178964 allan.cavill2@gmail.com
 Welcome to our new members...
Connor Downs Allotments
Mary Tavy Community Allotment Garden Association 7 Individuals
Henstridge Parish Council
Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council
Minehead Town Council
    And we’re off!
 As announced in the last issue, the South West Branch was formed on the 4th August and since that time, the Committee has been busy organising their administration, discussing their aspirations and ideas for the region and writing year one of an action plan.
The South West region is sprawling and quite diverse, containing big conurbations and large rural areas with poor travel links in many parts.
We even speak different languages!
Is it an allotment ‘field’ or is it a ‘site’? Is it a ‘pasty’ or a ‘turnover’? Not surprisingly then, our first big objective is to increase communication across the region so that no part feels left out. Lockdown may have created many frustrating restrictions, but at least many of our members are now familiar with Zoom and other online platforms, thus making communication so much easier. As I write, we are planning Zoom meetings in all areas of the region. We shall also be seeking volunteers from among the membership to help us in our quest to get to know the region better and realize our vision.
In addition to our individual members, association/societies and affiliates, there are numerous ‘members’
who are unlikely to know about their connection to us. I am talking about the hundreds of children and young people in our schools and nurseries who learn in the outdoors and who join school gardening clubs. These are in addition to those who help on their parents’ and grandparents’ allotments. In Bournemouth, my hometown, most schools and nurseries have green outdoor spaces for gardening, Forest
School activities or simply outdoor
play. Many also appoint Eco Warriors (or similar) to raise environmental awareness and lead the way to save our planet.
The Bournemouth Federation of self-managed Allotment Associations/ Societies supports this work in schools and nurseries with advice, allotment visits, talks in assemblies, access to
our site shops (through free Associate Membership) and ‘hands on’ by running or helping to staff activities in a voluntary capacity. My husband and I managed the Outdoor Classroom in our local Primary school for many years. With the help of other volunteers, many of whom were from our society (just across the road from the school), we maintained the area, helped with the curriculum and ran a gardening club. During our twelve years, we worked in partnership with Dorset Garden Trust, the Woodland Trust, AFC Bournemouth, a local garden centre, our Housing Associations, a local landscaping firm and the school community to raise the funding for a greenhouse, a shed, timber for raised beds, a pergola with sensory planting (suitable for wheelchairs), shrubs to break the force of the wind, plants for the dipping pond, tools, seeds and protection from pigeons and butterflies. We created habitats for wildlife, built insect hotels, made and put-up bird boxes, harvested rainwater, built a highway into the pond for ducks and countless other activities. The children were so proud of their achievements, including awards from Bournemouth in Bloom and oh my, the satisfaction for the adults was immense!
If you have never thought about helping your local school/nursery in this way,
I cannot recommend it highly enough. Not only would you be educating the next generation, but the smiles on the faces of the children is sufficient reward.
Lynda Clarke, South West Branch Secretary
      We created habitats for wildlife, built insect hotels, made and put-up bird boxes, harvested rainwater, built a highway into the pond for ducks and countless other activities
        58 Allotment and Leisure Gardener





































































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