Page 50 - ALG Issue 2 2015

North West
Stopping the
Destruction
of Allotments
A group of community-minded volunteers have come up with a solution to protect their allotment site on Lincoln Road, Handforth (Cheshire). The land is owned by Riverside Housing Association and is currently leased to Cheshire East.
The volunteers, known as Dean Row Allotment Society, decided to take
matters into their own hands and met
with Riverside, Cheshire East Council and Wilmslow Town Council. It was agreed that the Dean Row Allotment Society would take over the lease from 1st November 2014 and become self-managed.
The allotment site will be an exciting addition to the local community. Plots will be provided in various sizes for anyone living in the Handforth area, as well as community plots specifically for the tenants and residents of the Colshaw Farm Estate. Over the next several months it is hoped that a children’s group will also be created.
Ian Lomax, Society Secretary, said “It
is understood that in the current climate, councils have limited funds to help make the allotments attractive to new plotholders. As a result, one of our first tasks will be to raise enough money to start improving the site and make it more attractive”.
Ian added “Owning an allotment can be great for your general well-being; it’s relaxing, good for the environment, fun, fashionable and most importantly, it’s a pleasure.”
Jeff Allen from Riverside said “These are excellent allotments and a real asset to Colshaw Farm, and whilst they have been well managed over recent years,
I am certain with the enthusiasm
and expertise that
the Society
has clearly
demonstrated,
the scheme
can only go
from strength to
strength”.
Riverside, the
housing association
who owns the plot of
land officially handed
over the lease to Dean Row Allotment Society in a Halloween themed open day.
Since the hand over,
we have received a great response from potential plotholders, of which the majority have now been given a plot and it is hoped that the few remaining plots will soon be filled.
Ian Lomax
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