As council budgets for leisure services have decreased over the years, some of the site stewards and members of the local council felt it would be a good idea to set up an association. This would enable us to apply for grants and funding which would not normally be available.

The Colchester Allotment Association was set up in 2003. With 19 allotment sites in Colchester this was not an easy job. But with a lot of hard work and support we are now a thriving association with over 200 members, a trading hut, a tool loan scheme, a recycling centre, competitions, open days, trips etc.

My own personal interest in setting up the association was to help regenerate the allotment site I have a plot on which had become somewhat derelict and abandoned. Bergholt Road has the only brick building out of all 19 sites in Colchester and the local council kindly donated it to the association.

Our first funding application was for a tool loan scheme from SEED and the building was converted with cages inside to house the tools, we have since opened a trading hut in the same building. We have just completed and won our second funding application from the National Lottery Awards for All. A driveway will be built to the trading hut for those sticky winter months, making access available to all.

Sarah Whitehead, Secretary
Colchester Allotment Association

First published: ARI Newsletter, Winter 2006