Residents joy at new allotment plot (From This is Hampshire)

Residents joy at new allotment plot

3:00pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Gazette reporter

THERE are 685 people on a waiting list for an allotment in the borough, but 23 residents have now been given their own plot on a new site in the town.

Borough councillor Elaine Still officially opened Highfields Allotments off Hungerford Close in Old Kempshott Lane on October 28.

The Cabinet member for communities, sport and leisure said: “We used to think the allotment was the retired gentleman’s pastime, but it’s completely gone away from that now and it’s families and children using them. It’s educational for them and what better than to eat your own produce.”

Colin Wolstenholme, acting chairman of the area representatives committee for allotments in the town, added: “You are very fortunate because you have allotments built on your doorstep.”

Keys were handed over to the new tenants, along with a strawberry plant to put in their new plot.

The land was saved for allotments by developers Barratt Homes, and has now been given to the council, which leases the plots to the new tenants.

Laura-Jayne Beadle, a 29-year-old mother-of-two, from Hungerford Close, said: “We want a couple of fruit trees and vegetables. We go through a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables as a family. When I was younger my granddad had a big garden and I helped out and I would like my children to have the same experience. If they can see how it grows and be involved in that they might be more encouraged to eat it.

“Allotments get people out and exercising, but it’s also a good use of space and is good for future generations.”