GUYS & HYLTON ALLOTMENTS ST THOMAS ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION EXETER

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1 GUYS & HYLTON ALLOTMENTS ST THOMAS ALLOTMENTS ASSOCIATION EXETER Background This is one of the largest allotment sites in Devon and Cornwall and one of 12 sites west of the River Exe comprising St Thomas Allotments Association. Much of Guys & Hylton 'allotment' land pre-dates the formation of the Association in The History of the Association was researched by Devon Gardens Trust with allotment volunteer researchers in 2013 and a copy is provided for all new Members on arrival In 1996 Exeter City Council sold 5 acres of the site to a housing association for 960,000. The Association has now registered the site as an 'Asset of Community Value' as part of a strategy to preserve this amenity for the next generations. Guys and Hylton has a community of over 300 tenants (and their partners) when all plots are leased and many contribute to the range of activities and services provided to allotment gardeners and the local community.

2 Events 'Dig It! Plant It! Eat It' is an Open Allotment Day event for up to 400 people to enjoy a series of workshops, demonstrations, gardening 'clinics', a produce stall, allotment lunch and a prize quiz. The aim is to introduce people to allotment gardening, to share skills and knowledge, and enjoy eating on site what has been grown. Apple Pressing involves everyone donating their apples/windfalls or people gathering them up for a day of pressing for juice and cider. Wassailing is just that: there is a splendid Bramley apple tree which features in the singing and dancing celebration to encourage the sap to rise and to maintain this ancient tradition. Tours and Talks: guided tours of the site are offered at various times of the year to different local groups e.g. St Thomas Local History Society and during Heritage Open Week. RHS - members of the Fruit, Vegetable and Herb Committee will provide an 'advisory walk-and-talk' afternoon for allotment holders in July followed by a Gardeners' Question Time event in the Guildhall hosted by the Lord Mayor Harvest Lunch is now a 'tradition' with gardeners bringing delicious home-made food from allotment produce which is shared and enjoyed in the VEG BOX and under the new Shelters (gazebos) sponsored by the Lottery Coffee Mornings are held occasionally and to plan Open Day and other events and to welcome new members A regular Newsletter is publish by the Association and put up on the notice boards across the 12 member sites. The Annual Produce Show is held in July each year

3 The Trading Shed with millionaire Marcelle Speller Community Polytunnel volunteers building raised beds The Co-operative Membership and Lord Mayor opening 'The Veg Box' with Solar Power Facilities The large Trading Shed is run by volunteer Trading Manager, Gerald Tallamy, with his team of helpers and stocks a large range of seeds, compost etc. as well as organising bulk orders for seed potatoes. The shed is painted from time to time by The Prince's Trust Students or Probation Service Community Payback Community Polytunnel purchased with grant support and erected by volunteers. It has 22 raised beds (4 high beds with high standing for disabled gardeners) which the Association leases and manages

4 The VEG BOX community 'cafe' is an information hub where gardeners can make their own tea/coffee/drinks and have access to a range of Gardening magazines. It was repainted by The Prince's Trust students and the artwork (sunflowers) done by an allotment volunteer/artist Solar Power - with grant support from The Co-operative Membership and Devon Locality Fund volunteers installed stand-alone (off-grid) solar panels which provide power a fridge, led strip lights and low voltage sockets where electric power tools can be recharged. 'Give and Take' - an informal table outside the 'Veg Box' is for people to leave plants/produce for people to take. Toilet - there is a single flush toilet on site and future plans include installation of a composting toilet. Environmental Good Practice Water Harvesting: members are encouraged to install water-butts on their plots if they have a shed or canopy for runoff. 'If you have one butt, why not two?' campaign. Multiple inter-connected water butts have been installed along the Trading Shed to maximise run-off from the large roof Plans are in hand to design a water-harvesting system from the large community polytunnel on the south side along the timber baton Composting: members are encouraged to compost green waste on their plots and to take large green non-composting waste to Exton Road recycling centre Invasive Weeds - information is provided on notice boards for the disposal of non-compostable weeds Wildlife - Many plot holders provide bird-feeders and manage the Devon hedge as a wildlife/bug-friendly habitat where minimal pesticide is used. Spraying responsibly is advised to help protect pollinators. Bees - there is a thriving series of hives on the site managed by a qualified Bee-Keeper Livestock - Informal inspection of livestock quarters is undertaken by volunteers to ensure that hens, ducks and other animals are kept in the best conditions.

5 And finally, Information: The Association has an excellent website run by a volunteer on Ashwood Road allotments: A 'Welcome Pack' is provided for new members joining Guys & Hylton allotments Events and activities are published on the two main notice boards and all gates to the site Community Polytunnel BBQ on Open Day