Leominster Town Council proudly announced the official opening of our new Allotment site on Saturday 8 April 2006, by Monty Don, our local gardening celebrity!

In the 1980s land previously set aside for all allotments in the town had been sold off due to lack of demand. Over the last two or three years demand has grown again and the six statutory electors came forward to request that the Town Council provided them with allotments within walking distance of the centre of the town. The waiting list grew and grew to over 50 interested residents in 2004.

After a long and difficult search, last November the Town Council acquired 2.5 acres of grazing land in Ginhall Lane, complete with sheep and thistles, on a 21 year lease. We had the site prepared by a local contractor and a water connection established. A portaloo and six refillable water troughs were installed and the site was divided into plots - some full size (about 250 square metres) and some half size (about 120 square metres). The rents were fixed - but not without some hard bargaining from the newly formed Leominster Allotment Garden Society!

We now have 46 tenants who have produced the most amazingly productive site. Four months on, they are eating their own potatoes, runner beans, courgettes, lettuces, beetroot and peas. They have had their fair share of problems in the form of attacks from rabbits, pigeons and thieves who stole a water trough, but these have been overcome in ingenious ways!

There is a great social side to keeping allotments, many new friends have been made and people help each other out, seeds, plants and crops are shared. Many new tenants take their children and grandchildren to the site to "help out" and much fun is had by all.

Leominster Town Council is very proud of its allotments. Long may they continue!

Christina Bromage
Town Clerk, Leominster Town Council

First published: ARI Newsletter Winter 2006