Allotments

Local people in Dorset have had fantastic success creating productive allotments that are great for the environment too. The SDF has helped kick start some great allotment projects in Portesham, Symondsbury and Child Okeford. The two projects highlighted below show that allotments can be engaging community ventures that go beyond producing free local food:

Maiden Newton Allotments

In 2008 we funded the Maiden Newton Allotment Association to be a demonstration site for other communities and Parishes to see what could be done. Their project involved clearing redundant plots, introducing raised beds and shared plots to meet the needs of those on the waiting list. The grant also went towards a new timber building now used for storage and a social space for the Association. The timber building  is used as meeting place, where you will always find a 'to do ' list!  Occasionally the Association has social events,  such as digging days and BBQ's.

Cattistock Allotments

Cattistock village in West Dorset already has a good reputation for local food - the annual Dorset Knob Throwing Festival and local food market is a popular event bringing in over 1000 visitors each year.  But inspired by the ‘Landshare’ scheme, the local Fox & Hounds Pub wanted to go one step further – offering villagers free allotment space to start growing their own food throughout the year.

The Fox & Hounds had a lot of wasted space at the back of the pub and decided to loan part of it to the local community who have worked hard to turn it into allotment patches.

Now one year in, all kinds of fruit and vegetables are being produced. Broad beans, onions, beetroot, rhubarb, strawberries and rocket to name but a few and any excess produce is donated to the pub (in return for no annual fee) so if you eat there don’t forget to ask where your veg is from!

The Sustainable Development Fund helped establish the allotment with fencing, compost bins and tools.

Advice on allotments in West Dorset

A new leaflet has been produced by the Dorset AONB, Natural England, and funded by the West Dorset Partnership to help you set up or improve existing allotments in the area.

“Get Growing – Your Guide to Allotments in West Dorset” provides basic information on how to go about setting up a new allotment and some of the benefits to local communities. Download a copy of Get Growing 7940__Allotment_Leaflet_09_LOW_RES.pdf

It is our view that allotments provide an invaluable resource for local communities that help to promote healthy exercise, affordable food, community cohesion and can provide a fantastic educational resource for local schools. Allotments can also play a part in reducing carbon emissions by cutting down on food miles and by providing a local recreational activity. They can also help reduce waste by promoting local composting and benefiting the local wildlife.