Page 57 - ALG Issue 3 2021
P. 57

                                South West
Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset
REPRESENTATIVE
Vacant
Contact natsoc@nsalg.org.uk if interested in volunteering with the Region
MENTOR
Allan Cavill
South West 07748178964 allan.cavill2@gmail.com
 Welcome to our new members...
Chilton Trinity Allotmenteers 4 Individuals
2 Landowner
Dartmouth Town Council
    Analysis of South West survey results
time of writing, we have already held two meetings; our thanks to everyone who took part.
   We thought that this would be a good time to share the results of the survey we carried out earlier this year. The standout statistics have been illustrated graphically, and the rest have been briefly summarised.
Firstly, we would like to thank everyone that took the time to complete and return the survey. We needed to know what was important to you in your area and this has helped us build a picture of concerns across the South West.
The data came from three groups: Associations, Individuals and Local Authorities – the graph below shows the split between the three. Not surprisingly self-managing associations made up the majority of the results.
may be casualties of the collapse in the economy during 2020, who will be looking for somewhere to grow vegetables cheaply to support their families.
Two local authorities said that they would like their allotments to be self-managing and that they would offer financial support if they were; the details were given to the Mentor for the South West to investigate further.
Section two of the survey was directed at self-managing associations:
These mostly managed between one and three sites, with ten being the largest number of sites managed. Sadly, 16% of respondents didn’t answer this part of the survey. The number of members ranged from 12 to 320, waiting lists from two up to (in one case) 137 people, rents ranged from £10.00 to £35.00 per half plot and only three associations charged more than this. It is encouraging to see that most rents are being kept affordable to all.
One thing we found unsettling was that 12% were unaware of the NAS South West Branch. The region has been publicised in the Allotment & Leisure Gardener Magazine and all associations in the South West have been emailed regarding the formation of the South West Branch last year, so the question is why don’t they know about us? Sadly, 20% didn’t answer this part of the survey.
Section three of the survey was directed at everyone and the results were pretty conclusive:
Following the very positive meeting in Yeovil last year before lockdown, we found the section three results very reassuring because it reinforces what was said on that day. The majority said that they would like to meet twice a year on a regional basis, via Zoom. This is both financially and environmentally beneficial to all concerned and 34% said they would join a focus group. At the
This is an important one for all of us with councils nationwide announcing
a Climate Emergency. It was good to see that 60% of the respondents were already doing something to combat climate change, reduce their carbon footprint and preserve rather than kill our insects. Worryingly 40% have yet
to take action. Another large portion (over 8.5%) didn’t answer this part of the survey.
With regard to self-management, only 9% said that they needed advice. Sadly, only 17% of respondents said that they would be willing to represent their County on the Committee. However 79% said that they were interested in schemes to raise public awareness regarding allotments.
The final question was the one that was of real interest. Not surprisingly the majority agreed that the biggest challenge going forward is demand outstripping supply, closely followed by issues with developers. These
two go hand in hand, because if associations don’t keep on top of local neighbourhood plans and ensure
that enough allotments are put into the local plan, then demand will remain unsatisfied and the situation
is only going to get worse. With Urban Horticulture on the increase, we need more allotments now than ever before, so keeping an eye on those local plans is going to be important for all.
Climate Change was next on the list with 60% of associations already taking steps to address it. To the 40% who
   The highest number of respondents came from Somerset, followed by Devon then Dorset; the fewest from Cornwall, Avon and Bristol; both remain un-represented on the committee. Come on Bristol & Avon, you need representation!!
Section one was aimed directly at local authority managed associations:
In brief, sites managed varied from one to ten per authority, numbers of members from 40 to 300, rent charged from £35.00 to £50.00 per half plot. We found this very encouraging, because it means that most local authorities are sticking to the true ethos of allotment gardening and keeping it affordable to all. Rents need to be kept down because, post pandemic, there
60% of the respondents were already doing something to combat climate change, reduce their carbon footprint and preserve rather than kill our insects
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