Page 56 - ALG Issue 2 2021
P. 56

                                South East
Surrey, Kent, West Sussex and East Sussex
REPRESENTATIVE
Vacant
Contact natsoc@nsalg.org.uk if interested in the position
MENTOR
Paul Neary
South East
0845 313 8422 pneary.nas@gmail.com
MENTOR
Andrew Bird
Kent
0845 313 8462 abird.nas@gmail.com
     Welcome to our new members...
Hadley Road Community Allotments
10 Individuals
Ashford Borough Counccil South Willesborough and Newtown Community Council
 Calls to 0845 numbers cost 3p (ex VAT) per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge
  Guildford in Bloom
Guildford Allotments Co-operative Society Limited (GAS) manages 15 sites on behalf of Guildford Borough Council. The sites provide nearly over 600plots and GAS has around 750 tenants
and co-tenants. Despite occasional differences GAS and the Council have enjoyed a constructive, co-operative relationship since 2004.
Guildford in Bloom is an important activity supported by the Borough to beautify the town through encouraging horticulture, care of wildlife areas, school gardening projects, and open spaces. The annual competition is the focus of this and an allotment/kitchen garden category has always been a part. Until 6 years ago allotment entries were between 20-30 competitors. GAS were asked if they could help build Guildford
in Bloom by encouraging more entries from allotment holders. GAS threw their weight behind this and the following year over 120 entries came from allotments. Whilst the Covid pandemic meant that the competition had to be revised for 2020 in every other year since the request allotment entries have been well over 120. So much so that the allotment category accounts for more than 50% of all category entries. The consequent higher volume has helped the Guildford in Bloom management committee to increase its appeal to the sponsors on which they rely for funding.
A small portable display was needed to promote Guildford in Bloom and GAS offered to help produce one. As allotmenteers we know that creativity, ingenuity and building skills abound.
A small portable display was needed to promote Guildford in Bloom and GAS offered to help
All sites have examples of this and, indeed allotment holders were adept at “upcycling” decades before it became mainstream as is now the case. Admittedly some creations may not appeal to everyone’s aesthetics but creative they certainly are!
The display (see photo) has delighted the Guildford in Bloom committee. They were even more pleased that
GAS absorbed the material cost and donated it to the programme. Naturally it was conceived and made by allotment holders.
Philippa Wright
Chair, Guildford Allotments Co-operative Society Ltd.
    56 Allotment and Leisure Gardener




































































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