PRUDHOE COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT

We are holding our annual
PLANT A BASKET OR CONTAINER DAY
on Wednesday 21st May from 10am - 12noon. Anyone is invited to attend free of charge and learn how to plant up a simple basket or container which they may take home for a nominal charge. All equipment is supplied though if you wish you can bring your own baskets and/or plants and the price will be adjusted accordingly.

Currently we are preparing for the 2008 growing season. The greenhouses have been fumigated and we have lettuce, broad beans, leeks and a variety of flowering plants all doing well. The beds are all cleared with added compost and manure and all ready to be planted up. We are growing a large variety of flowers, bedding plants and vegetables which can be purchased from the allotment on Wednesdays and Fridays as well as at the PLANT SALE in JUNE

Later in the year there will be vegetables to buy in season as well as a variety of bedding plants and perennials.

Prudhoe Community Allotment and Prudhoe Gardeners' Association President: Mr John Thompson, Snr Vice President: The Viscount Ridley The project was begun in 2001 as a response to the Disability Discrimination Act. We have tried to make allotment gardening available to all - whether young or old, able or disabled. The Prudhoe Community Allotment group is a sub group of Prudhoe Gardeners' Association who manage 100 allotment plots for Prudhoe Town Council.		Main Gate plus ribbon for the official opening by the Duke of Northumberland in 2006
Facilities and Equipment We have successfully raised sufficient funds to provide raised beds, pathways, greenhouses, potting shed and other buildings, a summerhouse and disabled toilet, disabled access and many other facilities for the older and less mobile in the community. We have a wide selection of garden tools, compost, fertilisers, and equipment for use by the members. We are promoting allotment gardening which supports healthy living, fresh good, wholesome food and exercise for a healthier life style. The site is gradually extending and now boasts 3 greenhouses, solar shed and cold frames to assist in the growing of plants.		The Prudhoe Peach rose bed in front of the Summerhouse.
Membership We have over 30 members who pay an annual subscription of £2. This enables them to grow their own on a raised bed of their choice, suitable for their individual circumstance. However, some members only wish to assist in the running of the project and others only wish to learn about and support the project by paying their membership. It is up to the individual how they wish to partake in the project. We welcome any new members who may contact the Co-ordinator Joan Russell on 01661 833101 or email joanrussell@talktalk.net		Annual visit of Prudhoe Rainbow Guides for their annual picnic and look around the garden (and below) the girls are planting coriander
Meetings Those who wish, meet weekly, to help with community gardening chores necessary for the ongoing sustainability of the project. Some grow fruit and vegetables for their own use. Others help to grow plants and vegetables to sell for the sustainability of the project. Our social gardening days every Wednesday and Friday (10am - 12noon) always culminate in coffee and biscuits in the summerhouse with gossip time. We learn a lot about gardening just by talking to each other and passing on tips and information. We also have a very extensive library of gardening books to borrow.
Annual Events We hold an Annual Plant Sale in St. Mary Magdalene Church Hall. This year to be held on Saturday 7th June 9am - 12noon Our annual Open Day this year on Wednesday 13th August 10am - 4pm. We also support Prudhoe Community Partnership in taking part in the Prudhoe Spring Clean and the Prudhoe Autumn Tidy Down. The AGM is always held in March.		Radio Newcastle held their "Garden Mania" programme live from the site in 2007 during National Allotment week
Current Events We are holding our annual PLANT A BASKET OR CONTAINER DAY on Wednesday 21st May from 10am - 12noon. Anyone is invited to attend free of charge and learn how to plant up a simple basket or container which they may take home for a nominal charge. All equipment is supplied though if you wish you can bring your own baskets and/or plants and the price will be adjusted accordingly. Currently we are preparing for the 2008 growing season. The greenhouses have been fumigated and we have lettuce, broad beans, leeks and a variety of flowering plants all doing well. The beds are all cleared with added compost and manure and all ready to be planted up. We are growing a large variety of flowers, bedding plants and vegetables which can be purchased from the allotment on Wednesdays and Fridays as well as at the PLANT SALE in JUNE Later in the year there will be vegetables to buy in season as well as a variety of bedding plants and perennials.		Visitors from the Philippines in 2007.
	(Left and right) Prudhoe West First School visited the site during October 2007. The whole school came over 4 days - 50 children each day. They planted broad beans and garlic - all of which have successfully germinated and are growing on the plot.