Church Road community allotments opened by Wirral Mayor and Mayoress

Sep 16 2009 by Jade Wright, Birkenhead News

THE Mayor and Mayoress of Wirral learned more about the joys of tending their local land, at the official opening of the Church Road community allotments.

As part of a bid to green up urban areas across the country, local landlord Riverside spearheaded the sprucing up of community allotments in the Tranmere and Rock Ferry areas of Wirral, using £450,000 of Big Lottery Fund cash.

More and more people are taking on plots for the environmental and economical benefits of growing your own.

In the past decade, a new breed of allotment holders have emerged, dispelling the stereotypical image that the humble plots of land were only issued to men who didn't have a decent-sized garden.

Women and young families now head up the long waiting lists, as more people strive for a better quality and healthier lifestyle.

Organic vegetables are high on the list of reasons for picking an allotment, as is getting out into the fresh air and giving children a chance to get back to nature.

It's official, allotments are becoming the hub of the community and, dare I say it, even trendy, attracting professional people as they try their hand at going organic.

The result is connecting people with their local land to produce home grown fruit and vegetables, as well as a sense of community bonding.

Riverside is working with horticultural specialists Green Apprentices to bring previously derelict allotments in the area back to life. They are also offering training opportunities for local people who want to have a go at growing their own.

Ian Jones from Green Apprentices says: “Tranmere and Rock Ferry residents have taken up free training on a Wirral Lifelong Learning course to learn more about gardening and horticulture.

“As well as our community allotments at Church Road we also have our Bedford Road site that will be ready for use very soon.”

Youngest allotment volunteer, Tom Smith, age 10, presented the Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Andrew Hodson and Mrs Kathryn Hodson, with some home grown produce, including carrots, tomatoes, a marrow and salad from the allotment.

Since May, six volunteers have put in around 500 voluntary hours on transforming the allotments into an abundant kitchen garden.

For more information on community allotments contact Ian Jones on 0151 644 4834.