Community Allotment

COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT

The idea of the allotment was first by Ewell Rotary who invited Epsom Rotary as a joint project to acquire, maintain and carry out the allotment project with a view that veterans and the community could have a place to nurture and grow food for the Local Food Bank.

The project had the backing and support from Surrey Council Council.  Various local allotment sites that became available were explored and it was decided that the plot at Epsom Common Allotment would be the most favourable as there is also parking on site.  The plot chosen was very much grassed over and some digging began but it was decided with the assistance of Surrey County Council that Green Thumb would be employed to kill off the grass which would make the plot more workable.  By chance it then transpired that a great team would make bespoke raised beds and the team employed eventually installed these. They even made and installed a beautiful bespoke bench. The team were a group of young apprentices learning a trade introduced by Surrey County Council. From one of our active members we were also donated another lovely bench so have a wonderful seating area at the back of the allotment.  A compost bed has also been installed and a unit for placing tools. 

Work then began sourcing soil to fill these beds and we have to thank a member of the community who were carrying out an enormous project on their land making available voluminous free soil which we collected in batches and eventually filled the raised beds.  It was a bit late in the year to plant many vegetables but some were and the main work for planting and expanding would begin in 2022. 

So with regular attendance of members of both Rotary teams, friends of the clubs we have developed the allotment to be a very pleasant place to be and socialise.  Some members have been meeting on Wednesdays as well but Saturday mornings has also been a regular slot.  We now have a raspberries corner, onions, early potatoes, runner beans, garlic etc and plan to plant an array of different crops over the coming weeks to include a herb area and welcome everyone to join us.

2022 - Saw the starting of planning of many of the crops which are by June 2022 growing really nicely and in June 2022 - we were able to purchase a shed to house the accumulated tools and have taken on new volunteers which has made attending the sessions more enjoyable and sociable.