Page 21 - Allotment Gardener Issue 1 2024

THE PLOTS
Serpentine 3 allotment site in Preston, Lancashire recently opened their gates to artists, for a day of communal creativity!
CREATIVE PLOTTERS
ART ON
This Preston City Council allotment site has been established for over 100 years, with seventy-six full plots, some of which are split, providing one hundred and twenty plots in total.
A friendly community, they have a diverse range of people and approaches to growing produce. Many of the plotholders are artists, specialising in a variety of creative mediums. They comprise quilters, weavers, dyers, printers, painters and potters all on site.
It was the National Allotment Society magazine ‘Creative Plotters’ feature that inspired them to plan for ‘Serpentine 3 - Art on the Plots’. After much discussion, planning approvals and one rained off attempt, on Saturday 9 September (the hottest day of the year), they threw open their gates to other local artists from The Big Picture Drawing Group and The Birley Studios.
Safety was a high priority; they conducted a thorough risk assessment and gained permission from the City Council prior to inviting everyone.
The day provided an opportunity for the
onsite artists to show their own work too and they provided cool shade under the gazebo with refreshments to keep everyone hydrated. They looked after their artist visitors by providing site maps and they conducted tours of the plots so that everyone was clear which plots they were allowed to access and they could also view the plotters art work.
One of the visiting artists had fond memories of spending time on his dad’s plot and spent the day sketching there. Others spent time in the Wildlife Garden, which was created back in 2019 to celebrate 100 years of the allotments.
The day was a great success. Everyone loved being on site and some fantastic artwork was created. They hope to inspire others and use what they have learnt to plan an event for another year.
Serpentine 3 Allotments, Preston, Lancashire
“The day was a great success, and we’ll use what we’ve learned to plan for another event next year”
Allotment Gardener | Issue 1 2024 | 21