Allotments on show for NGS Open Day
Mon 13th July 2015
Beverley Town Council, in association with the National Gardens Scheme (NGS), is holding an Open Allotments Day on Sunday 26th July from 12 noon until 4pm on the Queensgate and Kitchen Lane allotment sites.
The event, which is included in the NGS ‘Yellow Book’, is open to local residents, visitors and anyone with an interest in allotments and growing their own produce. This year will be the fourth time that the event has been held in the town.
Experienced allotment holders will be on site on the Open Day, and they will be happy to answer visitor’s questions about growing fruit and vegetables, and also give advice on how to get started with an allotment. There are 85 varied allotment plots to view on Queensgate, with another 35 on Kitchen Lane, growing a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are paths for easy viewing, with plots on either side. The event also features fresh cream teas and refreshments.
It is hoped that the Open Allotments Day will also help to raise money for the NGS nursing and caring charities, which include Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care. In total almost £1750 has been raised through admission fees from the Open Allotments Days previously held in Beverley in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Throughout the summer of 2015 fellow yellow book garden owner Sarah Wint will be travelling the country offering a helping hand to other garden owners preparing their gardens for NGS openings. Sarah Wint said. ‘’ I am looking forward to visiting the Queensgate and Kitchen Lane allotments on Thursday 16th July as part of my tour in Daisybus to a limited selection of the 3,800 NGS Open Gardens. During my time at the allotments I will collect the stories of the people and places I visit, which will be included in a book compilation to be sold to raise funds for the National Garden Scheme. I am interested in the myriad benefits of gardening for health, wellbeing, creative endeavour and healing and would be interested to hear from you if you feel you have a story to tell. It need not be an epic tale – a small area or just one plant that means something special will be interesting.’’
The Mayor of Beverley Cllr Peter Astell explained more: “We are delighted to be hosting this event for the fourth year. It’s wonderful that the plot holders from Queensgate and Kitchen Lane are getting behind this project and we’re grateful to them for supporting this event. Over the years we have noticed an increase in the number of people interested in picking up practical tips and hints on growing their own vegetables and fruit. Last year we had over 400 visitors to the Open Day. Anyone with an interest in allotments and growing their own food is very welcome to come along and enjoy the day.”
Helen Watson, Town Clerk said ‘’Beverley Town Council and the allotment holders are looking forward to meeting Sarah and welcoming her to Beverley. I am sure there will be lots of interesting stories for Sarah to hear about allotment growing in Beverley. We also look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to the NGS Open Allotments Day on Sunday 26th July and hope many people come and enjoy this popular event.
Admission is £2.50, with free entrance for children and Queensgate and Kitchen Lane allotment holders. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult whilst visiting the allotments. Dogs on a lead are allowed. Some free car parking in marked bays will be provided at Beverley Grammar School, thanks to the kind permission of the school. Alternative parking can be found in and around Beverley.
For further information please contact Helen Watson, Town Clerk, Beverley Town Council on 01482 874096, or email clerk@beverley.gov.uk.
