Transition Tunbridge Wells Community Allotment

Posted Tue, 02/02/2010 - 21:33 by suew
Project Aim: 
To bring a disused allotment back into use as a community allotment, with work, tools, skills and produce shared.
Date started: 
Sat, 03/01/2009
Public Launch date: 
Sat, 17/01/2009
Project Description: 

The allotment had been abandoned for nine years. We began clearing the site of (mostly) blackberries, which were taller than we were, in January 2009. The land is on a slope so we gradually terraced part of it and grew an assortment of vegetables and fruit. Workshop days are advertised on our interactive website and everyone is welcome to share their knowledge, skills, tools, seeds, labour and produce. We intend to hold reskilling days and are beginning with a Seed Swap day on February 13 2010.

Inspiration: 
Other shared allotments. Most people do not have time to manage a whole allotment and there are waiting lists for allotments so this is an opportunity to 'Have a go' and grow local, organic food cooperatively.
Outcomes so far: 
An abundance of produce in our first year. A gift of a shed and many other things. New friends. Fresh air and exercise is good for our health.
Unexpected outcomes: 
The sun shone nearly every day we had a workparty. We felt blessed.
Obstacles, and how we overcame them: 
Keeping up with the never-ending blackberry shoots - Remove them as soon as they appear. Commitment waned for some - New growers coming.
Lessons Learned: 

Plan.
Make it fun.
Need to retain enthusiasm.

Contact email: 
transitiontwells@googlemail.com
Resources
Number of People Involved: 
26
Links and Partnerships: 

Transition Tunbridge Wells
http://ttwells.ning.com/group/food
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

Sources of Funding: 
Donations Freegle
Sources of materials: 
We provided everything between us and friends.
Web reference: 

http://ttwells.ning.com/group/food

Images: 
Karen and Sue
A challenge
clearing
Entrance to the plot
Ta da