Transforming a Neglected Allotment into a Community Space

Fig 1 The above photographs were taken before the allotment was developed into a working allotment site.

Although this project isn’t directly related to art, I felt compelled to share it to showcase my involvement in community work. Contributing to meaningful projects outside my usual creative focus has been rewarding and eye-opening. This experience highlights my ability to work collaboratively and underscores the value of giving back to the community in different ways. I’m excited to share this journey with you!

Around 2003, when my daughter was little, I often went for local walks with her in her pram since I couldn’t drive. During these walks, I frequently passed a piece of land that was an eyesore—littered with fly-tipping and evidence of drug use. The state of it was disheartening, especially since it had the potential to be a valuable community space.

Determined to make a difference, I decided to investigate who owned the land. I needed to know if it was private or council-owned, as my efforts would be in vain if it was private property. After some research, I discovered that it was indeed council land and designated as an allotment.

I was astonished and frustrated to learn that the council owned this neglected space and was doing nothing with it. At the time, I was actively searching for an allotment myself and found it infuriating that such a potentially useful piece of land was going to waste.

This realisation motivated me to take action and advocate for transforming this neglected plot into a thriving community space. It was a small step towards making a positive change in our neighbourhood, and I hope it inspires others to look for opportunities to improve their local areas too.

How the Allotment Looks Now in 2024