Sowing the seeds of success!
Local residents have long had a 'silver' dream for a community allotment where the responsibility for growing fresh fruit and vegetables can be shared by older people with just a little time on their hands.
The dream has now come true and the hard work will soon begin on breaking ground!
David Smith, lead gardener for the 'GrowZone' Silver Scheme Allotment Group, said residents were hoping the work would be well under way by summer and that local people will be enjoying the fruits of their labour before Christmas.
The 64-year-old, of Pelsall, near Walsall said: 'I am overjoyed that we are finally getting an allotment. We've been working towards this for some time, and now our silver dream has come true. We are really pleased the project has finally come together and the Manor Farm 'GrowZone' campaign for a community garden will then bear fruit as work begins on our allotment.'
David got the growing bug has a child and is now self-sufficient in providing fruit and vegetable for his own family. As a volunteer with Big Lottery funded Silver Scheme project he now wants to pass on skills and advice to others who have green fingers - as well as those who simply want to enjoy the fresh air, peace and tranquility that the Walsall allotment will provide.
He went on, ‘I have had my own allotment for some time and soon found out many other people wanted the chance to grow a few vegetables but felt managing a plot on their own would be too difficult.’
Having said that, the sprightly 64 year old said, 'I know I don't know it all and I am keen to learn new things myself all the time - especially about gardening. So if anyone wants to share their horticultural support then I want them involved. We can all grow together!
Silver Scheme Co-ordinator Diana Southall is also thrilled at the prospect of fresh air, fresh fruit and fresh home-grown vegetables, ‘A lot of older people had told us they wanted somewhere they could get together and spend time together growing their own vegetables. The news we now have an allotment is really fabulous and we are so grateful to Mr. Coxon the Secretary of the BGPW Allotments Association and Mr. Homer the Manager of the Winterley Lane Allotment for making the plot available. People are so kind in Walsall and I hope our crops will be a credit to all. This wonderful news now means we can provide high quality food for our luncheon clubs and older people who are fed up of buying expensive food that comes vacuum packed in plastic!'
She added, ‘Our aim is to let the allotment group take over the running of the site once it is well established.'
So, if you've got green fingers or would just like a new challenge in helping on the allotment then you are most welcome - as long as you're ready to work hard, and you're happy to deal with weeds, slugs, snails, greenfly and other mini-beasts, then the benefits are well worth it!
So why not join the GrowZone Silver Scheme Allotment Group and get growing yourself?
• eating fresh and organic food that you've grown yourself
• the simple pleasure of seeing your plants grow
• improved happiness and well-being
• regular exercise, as part of a healthy lifestyle
• doing your bit for the environment by protecting an open green space
• improving your social life as you make new friends and become a seasoned
Like more information on joining the Silver Scheme Allotment Group or gardening issues in general? Please contact the Silver Scheme team at Manor Farm!
