Page 39 - ALG Issue 4 2017

A Re ection
December 2015 Floods at St Aidan’s Allotments, Carlisle
Background - A self-managed site of 80 plots adjacent to the city ood defences (part of the ood banking actually runs through the site).
On 5th December over 13 inches of rain fell in 24 hours on the
hills and fells above the Eden Valley and the Northern Lake District. Consequently by the morning of 6th December the site was under an average of 4 feet of water, with the North Eastern corner topping out above the 8 foot security fence (one shed had actually fallen over).
Sheds and greenhouses were moved, overturned and some destroyed. Debris from the site and elsewhere was scattered over all plots, walkways and the surrounding vehicular track.
An initial inspection con rmed dangers from pollution, possible chemical leaks (weedkillers etc.), destroyed plot fencing and the complete destruction of the equipment used to maintain the site. Initial Planning - with over a third of the plotholders and half the site Directors ooded out of their homes, the priority for those people was nding temporary accommodation, (most would be away
from their homes for up to 15 months), insurance matters, saving possessions and disposing of water damaged possessions.
Available Directors set about a plan to resurrect the site.
Actions undertaken - Health and Safety was the rst priority with advice taken regarding food safety from the FSA (Food Standards Agency) and the NAS (National Allotment Society). The NAS provided lea ets on this type of incident.
Notices giving advice / warnings were placed on the site entrance gates.
Obvious areas of concern on the site were cordoned off with appropriate signage and an email was sent to all tenants who have internet access.
A newsletter was prepared and hand delivered along with the NAS lea et to all members (many of those out of their homes had left mobile numbers displayed in windows and these were followed up to get temporary addresses - it took 3 months to trace everyone).
As well as safety advice the newsletter included a request for volunteers / work parties to meet onsite on 2 days to rstly clear the communal areas and then individual plots. The response was excellent.
To maximise the ef ciency of this effort, the car park area was clearly marked out for the collection of wood, glass, plastic etc. plus a section for obviously ‘lost’ items such as water butts, compost bins and tools, which could then be claimed later.
Carlisle City Council (the landlord) kindly agreed to provide 3 large skips to remove debris and recycle anything that could be salvaged; ultimately 4 were required.
A list was made of all sheds and greenhouses that had moved and a further working party organised to return them to their original positions. Some needed to be dismantled, some scrapped and a number were too heavy to move. The latter was resolved by Carlisle City Council who provided lifting machinery (this took approximately 4 months as the ground remained too wet over the spring period).
Recovery Planning - With some tenants now living up to 40 miles away it was agreed to reduce the rent for 2016 to a standard £20 for all plots (all are of different sizes) to encourage members to resurrect their plots. Green manure seed was provided to all to help the ground recover and keep weeds under control.
Fortunately by mid January 2016 the extent of the ooding throughout Cumbria had seen the creation of the Cumbria Flood Foundation with individuals and organisations encouraged to apply for funds to rebuild local communities.
An application was created to cover machinery, fencing and posts (an allocation to every member), the green manure, the additional skip and a range of smaller items.
The bid was successful, with the Foundation recognising the
health bene ts to the community (both physical and mental) and indeed additional funds were granted to create an ongoing legacy for both allotment holders and the wider community. This allowed the building of a Community Hut which was installed in March 2017 and has already been used for plant sales, social events and local primary school visits. Summary - The initial ood was a disaster, but with the
positive ongoing support of the NAS, City Council, plotholders, along with the initially unexpected bonus of the Flood Foundation, the site has recovered more rapidly than anticipated. All plots are occupied and there is a healthy waiting list. To offset future events we now have an emergency plan in place.
It has taken a vast amount of work by a number of Agencies, Site Directors and plotholders, but community spirit ultimately won through and the site can now play a larger role in the local community in the years to come.
By June Boyd
Company Secretary, St Aidan’s Allotments Ltd
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