Hello FOTA’s (Friends of the Allotment)

Well, it’s finally happened!  The site clearance has begun.  Paul Hawkins and the boys have begun the ‘Transformation’ phase of the project.  They arrived on site with their 5 ton digger and set to work.  They made short work of removing the existing gate.  We are widening the gate and the hedge to allow for disability access.  As they cleared various areas, we discovered a lovely old brick base used for a shed in days gone by.  We’ll share this information with Smethwick Heritage Centre who are possibly planning to do a feature on allotments in their May edition.

As the digging began, Becky, from South Staffordshire Water came to the Dorothy Parkes Centre to present us with some water butts and watering cans.  Thank you to Becky and the South Staffs team.  Very much appreciated.

A cheeky little Robin came to inspect the work on site and said ‘thank you’ to us for digging up some worms for him!  I hope he approves of the progress.

We’ve managed to make contact with several local schools who seem keen to become involved in the project.  A few people here at the Dorothy Parkes Centre have also expressed an interest in helping, which is great!

Thanks to the lovely team at South Staffordshire Water we’ve had two large water butts and several watering cans donated.  (We need more of these!  If anyone out there has any contacts who have any spare water butts, tools of any description, very large plant pots, seeds etc. please let me know.  Clear out your shed and see what ‘goodies’ you can donate.)

We’re getting ready for the site to be cleared ready for development of the community areas.

Here’s where you come in!  More than anything, we want to create an allotment project that people feel they can be part of.  We want to include YOU and involve you in the planning of the project as well as the digging.  We really want it to be a COMMUNITY project.

If you want to find out more or, be involved in any way, no experience necessary, we would love to hear from you.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, one and all.

Dig!  Dig!  Dig!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Karen

[email protected]

(07552 578117)