Mayor to open newly transformed allotment site

(Date of issue: Friday, 3 July 2009)

Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr William Graham will officially open a newly transformed allotment site next Monday (6 July) at 11am.

An area of Kingstown Nobles allotments has undergone a recent ‘Groundforce’ style makeover with help courtesy of Story Group and Westwood Nurseries. The badly drained rough grass is now a garden for St Peter’s pre-school and also a productive allotment.

The garden is let as an allotment to the nursery by Carlisle City Council, so the children can learn first hand about gardening and how things grow. An outdoor classroom has been set up with a wooden bench installed around the trunk of an existing tree. The garden is fully accessible for children with disabilities.

There is a vegetable bed, three fruit trees, some flowers and shrubs, a hedge of native species and a wet land area. The garden has been in use since the start of the new summer term and children have been planting potatoes and other crops, so that they can learn first hand where their food comes from.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“The allotments have benefitted from now having full use of what was previously derelict land. In addition to the nursery garden they have an additional plot, which is already let, vehicle access into the site and a hard surfaced parking area for two cars. This has been a great success story for all concerned.”

Cumbria County Councillor John Mallinson, chair of Carlisle Local Committee, said:

“This is a wonderful chance for youngsters to enjoy the benefits of gardening and be outdoors during such a wonderful summer.

“It's great that Belah Neighbourhood Forum was able to help and shows what a difference to the community we can make when we work together.”

The £6,500 project was a joint venture between St Peter’s pre-school nursery, the Kingstown Allotments Association and Carlisle City Council. The friendly working relationships will continue in the future as plot holders will be on hand to help the nursery with advice, plants and ongoing maintenance. Parents will also be involved with the future maintenance of the garden.

Bruce Walker, Landscape Architect with Westwood Landscape who contributed plants, expertise and work in kind commented

‘’We have worked closely with St Peters pre-school to design a garden which was great fun for the children to explore. Features include a bog garden, native hedges and trees, wildflower grass, orchard, herb garden and plants to encourage butterflies, bees and insects. The children love it! They are out most days tending to the fruit and vegetables they have planted – it is great to see the gardeners of the future developing.’’

Work started on the site in January 2008, with the initial clearance and drainage works. Work on the garden started in Spring 2008 and due to the diligence of the contractors, who undertook the work, was completed in time for the start of the summer school term. The hard landscaping works were generously funded and carried out by Story Construction. As a company Story’s are positive about community projects and regularly assist such organisations within the area. Margaret Bravo, Principal at the pre-school, approached them to ask for help in preparing the community garden space.

Ian Storey, Projects Director for Story Land commented

"We are very much a community focused company and projects like this one always come high on our list as it gives children the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how nature works and promotes respect for the environment. We believe in investing in future generations and this garden will provide a good opportunity for enquiring minds to get close to nature and grow organic vegetables and plants."

The Early Years Foundation and the Belah Neighbourhood Forum contributed funding, and the City Council funded the initial drainage works.