The Roundshaw Allotments and Leisure Group was formed in May 2005 following a meeting of Sutton plotholders in March. Plotholders from each site were asked to list what they thought was good about their site and what they would like to improve.

One of our members (she is now our Chair) was keen to have a composting toilet on site, which led to us electing a committee to fundraise for one. We wrote a constitution, and made plans for a BBQ on site to raise funds.

We received funding for the toilet and, as a last minute bonus, further funding to buy hedging plants to provide security in the future around the perimeter fences.

We have now set up a website to promote the allotments and give information to plotholders. When we were seen to be proactive we found we had friends who offered practical help - the parks and leisure department of the local council offered us an ex-trading hut from a site that had closed down. All we had to do was dismantle and reassemble it!

We also had help from the probation service community team. This took a while to set up but has been invaluable. We have established a happy working relationship with the "lads and lasses" who, now that the weather has warmed up, are really enthusiastic. The transformation they have made in clearing overgrown plots of brambles and accumulated rubbish has to be seen to be believed.

Having heard of another group who had a visit from an ARI mentor we contacted our nearest mentor Jeff Barber and he met us on site in March.

To begin and maintain a regeneration programme is no easy task. It demands a sustained amount of time, energy and initiative, and will succeed only if there is a nucleus of willing and capable volunteers who are prepared to seek out help and support from all possible sources. One of the most difficult aspects of the process has been to overcome the reluctance of allotmenteers to get involved. The traditional pattern is to work on one?s own plot, to pass the time of day with neighbours and perhaps chat a while but not to venture into the unknown territory of working together or participating in social events.

We are hoping that when the site has been thoroughly cleared of debris new tenants will be inspired to take on plots and that existing plotholders will take a pride not only in their own plots but in the site as a whole and join with their committee to make a success of our regeneration projects.

We have recently learned that we have been successful in our bid to Awards for All for a grant of £5,000 to construct a wildlife garden, to relocate a site hut and to set up an educational project for local young people to learn about the environment and healthy eating. We have gained considerable experience over the past few months, which we are happy to share.

Gwen Gentry, Secretary

First published: ARI Newsletter Summer 2005