Page 51 - ALG Issue 1 2016 No social share

Crewe Town Allotment Federation
Crewe Town Allotment Federation was formed in 2013 to oversee 315 allotment plots, spread over 8 allotment sites across Crewe. In April 2014 all 8 allotment sites became self-managed. In July 2015, we saw a landmark day and signed a 50 year lease agreement with Crewe Town Council. We are so proud to have received a 50 year lease and work with a council who are so committed
Brighter Blooms. The day was a great success and we have secured an earlier date next year of Saturday 23 January 2016. Besides the norm, we are planning to host other gardening attractions on the day.
Our biggest achievement this year was hosting Crewe Town Horticultural Show, which saw over 200 produce-based exhibits
and passionate about allotments and gardening.
The funding has also enabled us to reinstate the annual allotment competition
take part in the rst year. It was the rst of its kind organised by the Federation and made champions out of a number of local residents. We will be holding the event next year and we are currently in discussions with partners about running a farmers market in conjunction with the show.
Along with council funding, we have also secured sponsorship from a local company
Over time, we have developed a close
working relationship with the Town Council,
which is re ected in securing £65,000
funding from them to regenerate Crewe
Allotments. The funding has enabled both the
Federation and allotment sites to continue
growing, regenerate sites after years of neglect, allowing us to offer quality sites and plots to tenants. New railings have been installed on sites to improve security, hard core laid to improve the safety of footpaths, removal of asbestos, installation of new water meters and numerous site repairs undertaken. Sites were also given a small amount of money to buy equipment to help them becoming self-managed.
called Frizells. They have undertaken numerous jobs on one of our most needy sites, which has created an extra 26 plots. Jobs have included creating a car park and pond, installing drainage, clearing the top surface of plots and general renovation of the site. Further large-scale work is required and we are in the process of submitting a Lottery grant application.
We would like to thank Crewe Town Council and members for all their hard work and support. Within a short amount of time the Federation has grown in strength and we are planning an exciting 2016. If you would like any further information please contact Crewetownallotmentfederation@gmail.com or www. crewetownallotmentfederation.co.uk.
The funding has also enabled us to reinstate the annual allotment competition, seeing the number of entries double
this year. We have designed a range of publicity materials to increase awareness of both the Federation and sites, and this has attracted new tenants and lled vacant plots. We have also hosted our rst Crewe Potato and Seed Day, in partnership with
Allotments Stockport
‘Allotments Stockport’ began in 1945 to campaign for allotment rights on behalf of its members. It is the umbrella organisation for 29 allotment sites in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with over 1,400 members. The Committee strives to be effective and helpful to all Stockport allotment sites and members.
In early 2014, we decided our Association needed a spring clean to enhance its image. We consulted with members to change the name to Allotments Stockport (AS) from Stockport Metropolitan Allotments and Gardens Association (SMAGA) – a bit of a mouthful!
We created a new website to advertise events, model documents etc. and continue to keep the information up-to-date. Every allotment site has its own unique web page to sell itself and we won the North West Counties Allotment Association (NWCAA) Media Award for this!
We also have a Facebook group to share news,
views, pass on tips, swap/recycle plants and equipment or just socialise online. It now has 125 members from throughout Stockport and beyond. We have also designed and distributed our rst lea et to members, created an e-contact list of almost 200 members
and regularly send out information through
our attractive bulletins, designed to share
information on noticeboards.
To improve communication further amongst our members, we divided our
sites into ve geographical areas within
the Stockport Borough and are appointing Allotment Advisers for each area to increase communication and offer/help/share good practice. Initially AS Committee members have taken on this role to visit plot holders on sites in their area while we search for more volunteers. The aim is to nd out site news, provide an opportunity for members to air their problems, give advice and ensure that sites know what AS is doing on their behalf.
During 2015 we gathered information from sites via a health checklist; as a result, advisers have been helping to re-write constitutions and rules and share ideas
Donna Williams
Every allotment site has its own unique web page to sell itself
between sites.
We have successfully lobbied for our sites
to be made ‘statutory’. We are members of
the Stockport Greenspace Forum; we support NWCAA, our regional NAS group and attend their meetings.
As and many of our sites are actively involved in the community and we were commissioned to write and design the lea et “Accessible Gardens for Allotments” for Disability Stockport, which
was launched at our meeting in January 2015. Please contact us for the lea et.
We endeavour to make meetings interesting, informative and welcoming
to all plot holders, with an opportunity to meet people from other sites. For 2015, we
arranged guest speakers at our meetings, which are every two months - ‘Growing
dahlias and crysanths’, ‘Turn bumper crops into booze’, ‘Keeping bees on allotments’, and ‘It’s of cial! Allotment soil is richer and healthier
than farm soil’. At the next meeting on 12th January 2016, Marva Lashley from Debdale Eco Centre will talk about companion planting, crop
rotation and composting.
Patricia, Ian, Bill, Roger, Mark, Amanda, Steve and Roy
Allotments Stockport Committee
Website: allotmentsstockport.org Facebook: Allotments Stockport & friends
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