Everything is blooming at Eastbourne Allotments and Gardens Society

That feeling when you yank carrots out of your raised beds, dig up the potatoes or trim back the mini herb garden you have lovingly tended is good not only for the mind but the food cupboard too.

Added to that is a desire to know the providence of what we eat, an increased awareness of the air miles and environmental impact involved in food production and a decrease in homes being built with gardens. So it’s no surprise that more and more people are growing their own.

It’s no wonder either that there is an increase in numbers of green fingered growers wanting an allotment or to buy freshly grown vegetables.

At Eastbourne Allotments and Gardens Society, which looks after 1,100 plots spread across 13 sites around Hampden Park, Meads and Langney, there are waiting lists on all of the sites.

That should not deter people though as thanks to a cash injection there is now a Community Allotment on the Gorringe Road site which is open to all.

Thanks to a fundraising event by one of the allotment holders and cash from the Sainsbury’s 150th Anniversary Project, the society has been able to acquire a cabin and greenhouse for the plot.

Louise Elms has had an allotment for 15 years, worked for the society for two years and took over as manager in October last year.

She said, “The community allotment is open to all. It has been transformed from a grassy patch into a functioning vegetable garden in the space of a year and will hopefully provide education, companionship and tranquillity to all those who use it.”

Although the allotment land across Eastbourne is owned by the borough council, the society is entirely self-funded so all income goes towards the upkeep of the allotments.

An office is staffed by Louise and her assistant Lucy Grotefeld but the society relies heavily on volunteers without whom, Louise says, it could not operate – particularly the society shop aptly named The Potting Shed, which is manned entirely by those who give their time for free.

It’s a little known fact but The Potting Shed, next to the office, is open to all allotment society members and not just allotment tenants.

An annual joining fee of £6 applies which entitles all members to a 20 per cent discount on most seeds, monthly offers, and a wide range of gardening products at very competitive prices.

Louise says The Potting Shed has just undergone a facelift with the help of volunteers, committee members and trustees and is open again on Friday and Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm. From this month the shop will also open on a Sunday morning.

Louise said with the increase in awareness of food production and the fact that the physical and mental benefits from gardening have been well-documented, it’s no wonder that over the past decade allotments have once again become highly sought-after leading to waiting lists on all of the sites.

She said, “As well as the community allotment also on our Gorringe Road site are the raised beds which enable those less able to manage a regular allotment to plant and grow. We currently have 18 raised beds, with plans to create more on our other sites.

“The community spirit on the allotments is alive and well. New tenants are welcomed and can often be seen wandering around with a tray of seedlings from a neighbour or clutching an armful of excess produce.

“Sheds are a wonderful place for a cup of tea and a chat. Our annual Summer Show and BBQ is a lively event with music, raffle and prizes for fruit, vegetables, baking and much more.

“Many of our tenants organise their own BBQ too. In particular the Highfield allotment community is very active and holds regular get-togethers.”

For more information visit www.eastbourneallotmentsandgardensociety.com, call Eastbourne 430970 or email [email protected]