Hythe community garden and allotment
About this project
- Date started:
- May 2012
- Status:
- Active
- Number of people involved:
- Number of people benefitting:
- Goals or benefits:
- Related Transition stage:
- Deepening
Description
Aims:
Having searched for a considerable time, a perfect first site arose through an approach from a charitable trust that runs a residential home for the elderly in the centre of Hythe. This is now our first community garden and allotment, we have settled on regular work slots (although volunteers are welcome to come and go at other times) and our first vegetables were planted in late May 2012.
Inspiration:
The desire to free up areas for community planting and the lack of allotments in Hythe, with a waiting list of around 300.
Outcomes so far:
This is proving a lovely, sociable project which, as with all of the others, is attaching additional active, enthusiastic people to Transition Hythe. We've had good coverage in the local press as well.
Unexpected outcomes:
An approach from a local school about taking over another area to turn into community allotment plots (this would be a large area and a major scheme, very exciting!).
Links and partnerships:
We quickly gained support from local allotment holders and were put in touch with a local resident who is a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. She has advised on the work, providing a lot of excellent suggestions and information, and has now become an adviser for all Transition Hythe community planting schemes.
Sources of funding:
None required at present.
Sources of materials:
Tools and vegetables have been donated by a number of people, for which we are most grateful. It has been excellent the way so many people have rallied round in a short time.
Further information:
The residential home has a lovely, large garden, south-facing, looking out over Hythe and beyond to the sea. Transition Hythe was approached by the chairman of the trustees, who is also a local councillor, about taking over the upkeep of the garden, as their volunteer gardener had retired. He was aware of our search for suitable sites for community planting and our aim to unlock areas for growing food. A site visit and one meeting confirmed that this was ideal for all parties.
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