Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the awards celebrate practical gardening skills, creativity, sustainability, and community pride. The competition encourages individuals and community groups to grow plants, create and care for green spaces, repair and restore tools, and find imaginative ways to reuse materials in the garden.

Our community allotment plot was recognised with a Gold Award in the Green Space Custodians category, reflecting the hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication of our volunteers.

The judges were particularly impressed by the way our plot demonstrates:

• A tidy, well-maintained, and welcoming environment.
• Environmentally sustainable gardening practices.
• A biodiverse space that supports wildlife and pollinators.
• Healthy, vigorous fruit, vegetables, and plants.
• Strong community involvement, bringing people together through gardening.
• An empowering approach that encourages volunteers to develop new skills and confidence, with many progressing to take on their own allotment plots.

This award is a wonderful recognition of everyone who gives their time, energy, and passion to our community allotment plot. Together, they have created much more than a productive growing space, they have built a place where people can learn, share skills, make friends, improve their wellbeing, and enjoy being outdoors.

A huge thank you and congratulations to all our staff and volunteers involved in the upkeep of the plot. This Gold Award belongs to every one of you, and we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.