Following on from the very successful community action planning last year, we are supporting a group of volunteers to help start an allotments for all project for our town. Over the past year we have successfully raised funds to support this project from funders who are only interested in allotments, and are now looking to sign up town residents who would like to be involved in this exciting work – either to reserve a plot or be a volunteer — or both. We know that growing our own food is good for physical and mental health, and that a well-designed set of allotments would be an asset for the entire town, and supported by the results of our CAP.
The group has looked at a number of sites around the town and are now in discussion with Perth & Kinross Council (PKC) about a small corner of the Market Muir, a piece of land held in trust for all of us. PKC are very supportive thus far and is working with the group to explore drainage and soil issues now. As the group hopes to follow a “no-dig” approach to growing, the allotments will have a very minimal and positive effect on the land. They will not impede the rights of way nor the dog-walking paths worn by years of usage.
The group plans to hold a public consultation in later March (to be publicised on noticeboards, in shops and on social media and alyth.online) when they have drawings of what is planned, as well as more specifics on the timing of this project. We hope to build enough plots that anyone can take part, and once established the allotments will be governed by a group of plot-holders. The group has recently joined the National Allotments Association to learn as much as possible about best practice.
If you would like to learn more, please contact the group at allotments4all@alyth.online and they will be in touch. They want this to be a project that is open to all and that benefits as many Alyth residents as possible.