Council and democracy

Launch of new community allotment project

Based in Upper Norwood, the Dale Park Community Allotment Club (formerly known as the Community Allotment Project) will be opened by Croydon's new mayor, Councillor Margaret Mead, on Tuesday 9 June at 2pm.

The club, set up jointly by the council, local voluntary organisations and the Croydon Federation of Allotment Societies is a unique partnership project which is bringing together the borough's older and vulnerable residents to take part in healthy outdoor activity where they can socialise and learn about growing crops in an environmentally friendly way.

It has a membership of older people and people with physical disabilities as well as younger adults with learning disabilities who are interested in a career in horticulture. 

Following funding from the lottery and the council's community care grant, the club has been able to build eleven beds, four of them raised for people with less mobility and wheelchair users. A paved area has also been laid and two new sheds built: one to house a chemical toilet and the other to provide shelter and storage for tools.

The club hopes to continue developing the allotment and build up to seventeen extra beds for growing a variety of produce, and is now looking for some able-bodied volunteers to help build them and to cut the grassed areas.

Councillor Lindsay Frost, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "This is a fantastic project which is benefiting older and the more vulnerable members of the community. Getting involved in a project like this helps people to be active, have fun, socialise and learn new skills."

The Dale Park Community Allotment Club (DPCAC) is based on a site within Spa Hill Allotment Society at Spa Hill, SE19. For more information or to volunteer please contact Anjna Mehta-Lancing by email at anjna.mehta-lancing@croydon.gov.uk or Peter Newbury on 07711 495739 or at pjnewbury@hotmail.com.