When we first took over the Community Plot it was in a sorry state. The underground stream had caused a great deal of flooding and it had been left unsued for some time. Rubbish had been buried on the site by the Council, and others had taken the opportunity to get rid of their rubbish in the same way. It was unkept, unloved and unused!
Now we have a great place to meet and socialise, a clubhouse for all to use and enjoy, or even just shelter on those showery days. A far cry from our first meetings, sheltering under umbrellas by the toilet block! Getting the clubhouse inspired us to greater things and we began to clear away the rubbish and flatten out the ground. We have put in paths, planted fruit trees to start our community orchard, built and nurtured our pond, planted a copse of twisted willow and set up a recycle bay.
There is still a great deal to do by way of maintainance and improvement, but the more helpers we have the easier it will be to have a great space for all to enjoy.
If you have not yet been along to the community plot why not give it a visit. There are plans to erect community composting facilities on the site later this year. This will be done and paid for by the Council but we also have some ideas of our own: once the toilet block leak has been repaired we plan to paint the walls; the shed needs another coat of paint; the orchard area needs weeded; the pond needs some plants; the boundary fence repaired; the recycling bay cleared of unwanted items; perhaps sow some wild flowers in the margins and the list goes on and on. So, as you can see, your help is needed and would be appreciated. We will be working on some of these things on 15 May- why not come along and help?