Chair of the allocatment Barbara Turton with staff and pupils from Nant-y-Parc and local community safety officers
A community allotment in Senghenydd celebrated 10 years of growing success by holding an open day for the community to come along and find out what they do.
The Aber Valley community allotment welcomed guests along for a tour of the facility and to sample tasty treats made from produce grown there. Carrot cake, fruit crumble and iced mint tea were on offer for visitors to try.
Aber Valley community allotment first started in 2004 as a lifestyle, healthy living and environmental initiative by the community partnership supported by Caerphilly Council and its Health Improvement Team, Groundwork Caerphilly, Barclays Bank, SYDIC, GAVO and B&Q.
There are plots for the local scout group and a community garden where residents can come and help themselves to produce. Nant-y-Parc Primary School Eco club also attend on Wednesday afternoons to learn about growing vegetables. The current crop at the allotment consists of tomatoes, onions, potatoes, carrots, runner beans, lettuce and strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries in abundance.
Most allotments are set up to enable people to eat their own healthy produce. But the project in Senghenydd was opened purposely to educate local people about a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating.
Barbara Turton, Chair of the Aber Valley community allotments said: “When we first took over the allotment it was completely overgrown and thick with brambles. The ground hadn’t been used for 10 years. It took a lot of work to get back to the bare earth. We gradually put in raised beds, greenhouses and a wildlife area at the bottom of the garden with a pond, bug hotel and wildflower area. The next challenge is to find another piece of land that is nice and flat that we can start all over again.”
Cllr. David Poole, Cabinet Member for Community & Leisure Services said: “I’d like to congratulate the Aber Valley community allotment group on their 10 year anniversary. I’d like to encourage more of our residents to become part of a community allotment group. You’ll get the benefits of fresh air, exercise, and home grown produce and it’s a great way to meet people and make new friends.”
To find out more about the Aber Valley community allotments please contact Barbara Turton by email at [email protected] or Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Health Improvement Team on 01495 235313.
