Crops harvested as region looks to Selkirk for allotment inspiration
Crops harvested as region looks to Selkirk for allotment inspiration
Members of Bannerfield Horticultural Association proudly show off their first crop. photographer: alastair watson
Andrew Keddie
andrewkeddie@tweeddalepress.co.uk
ALLOTMENT holders in Bannerfield are this week celebrating the harvesting of their first crops, just five months after work creating the facility began in earnest.
And the 15-plot facility between Philiphaugh Primary and the Long Philip Burn is being hailed as an example and an inspiration for other would-be gardeners across the Borders.
Jason Hedley, parks manager of Scottish Borders Council, has now written to all 60 community councils in the region to gauge the level of interest in setting up allotments in their towns and villages.
"If the demand is there we can look at the availability of suitable land," said Mr Hedley who praised the Bannerfield Horticultural Association for its success.
"It's amazing to see the difference in such a short time and see the land used by the community to produce its own fruit and vegetables," he told us.
John Howie, treasurer of the BHA, was on site this week as the first vegetable crops, including onions, carrots, potatoes and cauliflowers, were eagerly gathered in.
"They taste fantastic," said Mr Howie. "Of course, the soil down here is great and the recent rain has brought everything along."
The first allotment development in Selkirk for more than 20 years was made possible by the generosity of benevolent neighbour Tony Jackson, whose late father-in-law bought the land from Philiphaugh Estate. In return, Mr Jackson was allocated a plot on ground enriched by years of pig grazing and poultry rearing in days gone by.
Mr Howie said he had already been approached by groups from Walkerburn and Cardrona for advice on how to create and fund their own allotments, while interest had also been expressed in Tweedbank and Lauder.
"I will be happy to talk to any community about how we got things started, the key being the 10,000 lottery grant we received in March and another 2,500 which the council is giving us," explained Mr Howie.
"We were able to clear the site and, most importantly, fence the perimiter. We recently had five tonnes of wood chippings delivered to cover the footpaths and there is already a great sense of community spirit.
"It's very satisfying to see the fruits of our labours and if this starts an allotment revolution in the Borders then that's an added bonus."
Other communities wishing to register an interest in taking an allotment plot or making land available should contact SBC on 0300 100 1800 and ask for Esther Murdoch.
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Weather for Selkirk
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
