Number One Allotment

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Number One Allotment

Duke's Meadows

The Development of the Project

The Beginning

A plot by the entrance gate to the Duke's Meadows allotment site had become a bit of an eyesore. It had been vacant for a number of years and a pile of rubbish had been left there with brambles and nettles growing in profusion. Several volunteers from the Society set about clearing the area and, because of the easy access to it and nearby space for parking, decided, with the support of the Council, to make the plot available for people with disabilities.

Geoff Boswell, who initiated the project on behalf of the Society, contacted the Hounslow Learning Disability Service to see if they would be interested in bringing a group of clients to the allotment to grow food. The response was very positive and so the project was launched.

In April 2005, the Society successfully applied for a £500 community grant from the Chiswick Area Committee of Hounslow Council to serve as ‘seed funding’ for the project. The grant paid for wood and compost to construct raised plant beds and paths to allow wheelchair access. The allotment holders helped to clear rubbish and weeds from the overgrown allotment and donated seeds, plants, gardening tools and garden sheds.

The first clients were soon at work on the allotment building the paths and raised beds, digging and planting fruit and vegetables.

Carole Weale of the Chiswick Horticultural Society officially opened Number One Allotment on Wednesday 3 August 2005.

At the opening, Steve Tovey of the Hounslow Learning Disability Service said: “I’ve been very impressed with what has been achieved so far in such a short time. Everybody who has been to the allotment has enjoyed the experience of planting and seeing how quickly things grow. It has been a very positive experience for all of us and I look forward to many more people with learning disabilities coming to enjoy the benefits of gardening.“

The Lottery Grant

In March 2006, the project was awarded a grant of £5,000 from the National Lottery “Awards For All” scheme. This money enabled the project to purchase a large, robust greenhouse, a fruit cage and some gardening tools.

On 18 October 2006, the Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Felicity Barwood, visited the Number One Allotment project to open the new greenhouse. Click here for photos.

Horticultural Awards

At the 2006 Autumn Show the Number One Allotment was awarded the HENNIKER CUP for the highest total points in the vegetable classes and the RHS BANKSIAN MEDAL for the winner of the highest total amount of points in the whole of the horticultural classes in the Autumn Show. Click here for photos.

The City Bridge Trust Grant

In November 2007, the project received a grant of £2,800 from the City Bridge Trust to build and furnish a wooden community cabin. The cabin provides a sheltered space for the gardening team to get together to discuss the day’s gardening jobs and to have lunch and rest breaks. The cabin also enables work to continue indoors in bad weather.

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