Prudhoe Commnunity Allotment project began in April 2000 when one of the Prudhoe Gardeners' Association committee members suggested we should have "Access to All" on some of our allotments. This would cater not only for the elderly and less mobile allotment gardeners but also include all those previously prevented from allotment gardening because of their disability. So the Prudhoe Community Allotment was born and preparations began on one of our very few level sites (we are situated on a hillside overlooking the River Tyne. The site has vehicular access.

Five years on with a lot of hard work put in by volunteers - building raised beds,  pathways, a summerhouse, raising over £50,000 in funding and generally organising the project ? we reached our goal of a "Grand Official Opening". We felt the opening ceremony was so important to the profile of the project that we spent a whole year preparing for the occasion.In July last year we invited the Duke of Northumberland to attend and were quite surprised and really delighted at his acceptance.  The opening took place on 23 June 2006.

The occasion was very grand. We had a green ribbon attached to bows on the massive double black and silver iron gates for the Duke to cut with a ceremonial pair of shears.

This was followed by a tour of the site and the opportunity to meet various volunteers, including those involved in the building work, and some of the funders. Then the Duke was presented with a rose fashioned in iron inlaid with copper, representing the Prudhoe Peach Rose which is our Prudhoe emblem. Finally everyone enjoyed the buffet laid on by the members. Everyone enjoyed the day which turned out to be dry, warm and sunny - hopefully a good omen for the years ahead.

Joan Russell
Co-ordinator