The Strettons Allotment Gardens Association

Proposal

In January 2023 the Strettons Allotment Gardens Association requested a grant of £750 towards the purchase and erection of a composting toilet at the allotments. This was to match a similar amount being offered by the Town Council. The primary reason for the proposal was to enable plot holders to be able to spend longer periods of time at the allotment, thereby increasing chances for more social interaction and an increased community feeling.

The Grant Committee was happy to support the application given that there was sufficient additional money pledged to complete the project and that there was a clear benefit to the plot holder community. The article was printed on page 26 of June 2023 Stretton Focus (article below).

Exciting Developments down at the Allotments!

The newly created social area, with benches kindly donated by The Kings Arms and Church Stretton Town Council.

There have recently been a number of exciting developments at the Church Stretton allotments. In response to requests highlighted in a survey of plot holders last year, we have now purchased a composting toilet. Huge thanks go to Stretton Focus who helped us with £750 of matched funding. This is a real community project that will allow plot holders to stay down at the allotments longer caring for their plots and will also enable us to hold more social events at the site.

We have been working hard to make our site more wildlife friendly. We have been inspired by the work we have seen in other local developments such as Cudwell Meadow which we all pass on our way down to the allotments. We have sown yellow rattle seed (kindly donated by the National Trust, Cardingmill Valley) in the orchard area. This has the effect of suppressing grasses and therefore encouraging more wildflowers. We have also installed two wonderful bug hotels (created by allotment holder John Garnet) and created a 30 metre dry hedge of woody material to be a haven for insects and other wildlife. There are plans for a beehive to be installed later in the year. 

In the last year we have also created a social area for plot holders (with huge thanks to the Kings Arms and the Town Council for the donation of some garden benches) and have set up ‘seed swap’ and ‘plant swap’ events where people meet to share ideas and resources.

The new composting toilet down at the allotments, tucked against the railway embankment. Purchased with huge thanks to Stretton Focus for their matched funding

If you are interested in taking on an allotment plot, please contact me. My details are in the yellow pages of every Focus edition. We do have a waiting list, but plots regularly become available. Then you too can enjoy the quite unique satisfaction (and money saving benefits) that come from growing and eating your own fruit and vegetables!

Ben Warren, Secretary, Stretton Allotment Gardens Association