Action 21 Allotments Link Project
This project has been set up to support allotment societies and promote allotments. It is run by Action 21, Warwick District’s Agenda 21 initiative.
Action 21 website
Warwick District Allotment Federation
The federation is an organisation set up through the Action 21 Allotments Link Project. It aims to provide a forum for all the allotment associations and sites in the area where representatives can meet to exchange news and support each other. The Federation is linked to the National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners via the West Midlands Regional Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners.
Action 21 is providing the first year’s secretariat (from September 2004) thanks to the support of the Heart of England Community Foundation.
Lillington Fresh Food Project
The Allotments Link Project, again thanks to support from the Heart of England Community Foundation, is focusing on Lillington from September 2004 for one year, promoting North East Leamington Allotments and helping the community to access fresh produce and healthy eating information.
Action 21
Action 21 is Warwick District’s Local Agenda 21 initiative. It is a not-for-profit limited company set up to build sustainable development in the area.
Sustainable development is about environmental , social and economic well being – Earth care, Fair shares and people care – now and for our children’s children.
The official definition is ‘development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations from meeting their own needs’.
Action 21 website
Allotments and sustainable development.
Allotments can fulfil all the aims of sustainable development
-
Earth care – gardeners care for the earth – if they don’t then their crops won’t grow. And they can learn to garden with nature, rather than fighting it.
-
Fair shares – allotment rents are very low compared with other activities
-
People care – gardening is good for you, both physically and mentally.
Allotments and wildlife
Allotments are the green lungs of our towns. They often provide immensely valuable habitats. Allotments in Warwick District are great refuges for reptiles; slow worms, which are uncommon in our county, occur on at least two sites, and grass snakes and lizards have also been spotted. Birds, insects and less-welcome larger mammals such as muntjac, rabbits and badgers, who tend to eat the crops, are also visitors. Kingfishers are sometimes seen on our riverside sites. Some allotment groups manage areas especially for wildlife, and organic gardeners are particularly keen on co-existing with, and encouraging, wildlife.
Administration of allotments
Warwick District Council does not directly manage allotments, but allotments form part of its parks and leisure strategy. Many allotments in Warwick District are managed by the tenants themselves and administered by the town or parish council concerned. It is this level of local government which is obliged by law to provide allotments if the rate-payers desire them.
There are some exceptions to this type of administration – for example, St Johns Allotments, Kenilworth are owned by the tenants; St Marys are owned by the church and administered by a trust, and there are several other variations.
Useful contacts
Henry Doubleday Research Organisation (HDRA), Ryton Organic Gardens, Coventry CV8 3LG,
Henry Doubleday website (Garden Organic)
National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, O’Dell House, Hunters Road, Corby, Northamptonshire NN17 5JE.
Allotment societies and individuals can join. It provides insurance and seed schemes for allotment holders as well as acting as a national voice for allotments and providing legal advice.
National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners website
|