Our first joint open day proved to be a great success. There was a steady stream of visitors from the local area and other parts of the city. As usual, visitors who were visiting the site remarked how peaceful it was considering it is surrounded by housing and an industrial estate. A lot of people went away with ideas that they could use in their gardens or own allotment. There were a number of people who have put their name down on the waiting lists for an allotment. In fact, one family were that enthusiastic that they started work on a rather neglected plot before going home!
I think that we have raised our profile within the Earlsdon community and also across the city. Three of our local councillors paid a visit, all leaving with a good impression. This has to be good when there is so much pressure on allotment sites across the country, which is being eyed up for housing. The 2 charities (CRCB and food bank) that operate on site have also benefited, with more people aware of what they do, and how Earlsdon and Beechwood societies support them. Lastly, the Earlsdon Gardening Club set up an attractive display promoting their forthcoming produce show at St Barbara’s Church on Saturday 1st September.
A number of people sent in recipes for using up seasonal surpluses, many of which were on sale in the refreshment area. If you missed any you can download them here:
Beetroot and Chocolate Cake recipe
Courgette and Ginger Cake recipe
Courgette&lemoncakeOriental spicy vegetable recipe
Oriental spicy vegetable recipe
From the sale of fresh produce, flowers, cakes, jam and chutney, and from the sale of refreshments we have raised just over £150, all of which goes to the CRCB.
We would like to thank all the people who got involved in making the event run smoothly. The people who helped set out the displays, put up signs and open plot makers, those who spent time baking cakes and other things to eat, to the CRCB for the use of their blue shed and its facilities, to those who set up and packed away the BBQ equipment and especially to the 30 or so plot holders who opened their plots and took time to speak to visitors. Without all of your efforts it would not have been the success it was. A big “Thank You”.
By: Rob Spragg (Beechwood) and Ray Wilson (Earlsdon)