Wednesday 16 April 2014

Spring is here!

Last week we received our signed licence for the allotment. This means that the land is used on 'loan' from the council for the use of the community allotment project for the next 3 years, with a view to extend for a further period of time if the project is deemed successful. It was also a requirement of Leicestershire County Council that they have a copy of this licence in order for us the project to receive the grant from the 'Big Society' fund. Not having this has been holding us up, but we have now received part of the grant and this has enabled us to purchase the security fence.

Unfortunately upon arriving at the allotment this morning to meet with the fencing contractors we found that someone had pulled out the underground drainage pipe leaving us with another job to redo, so hopefully with this fence installed it will mean we have seen the last of the vandalism.

The fence is set back a little way from the main path in the park so it isn't too invasive but we plan to plant the Woodland Trust shrubs that were donated along the front of the fence to disguise it as much as possible. The site will be accessed with a code to enable members to come and go as little or as often as they like.



We are very grateful for the kind donation of tools and plants from Mr & Mrs Garton; the plants are currently boarding in our garden awaiting completion of their new home at the allotment. For those of us making the most of the good weather and clearing out sheds and garages, please bear us in mind if there are any spare tools no longer needed, they would be very much appreciated by the project.

Our next job is to create the raised beds. We hope to purchase and start fixing the boards in the next week or two and then begin on the path. Fingers crossed for more blue skies and sunshine in the coming weeks!