Open day at allotments

Beverley Town Council allotment holders at Queensgate and Kitchen Lane in Beverley are all set to make this year’s National Garden Scheme (NGS) Open Allotment Day really flourish.

The event is on Sunday 27 July, from 12noon – 4pm and will be officially opened by Councillor Paul McGrath, Mayor of Beverley.

With 85 allotment plots to view on Queensgate, and another 35 on Kitchen Lane, growing a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers, the Open Day is an ideal way to find out all about growing your own fruit and vegetables and the benefits of having an allotment. There are paths for easy viewing, with plots on either side.

Experienced allotment holders will be at the Queensgate and Kitchen Lane sites for the Open Day, and they will be happy to answer visitors' questions about growing fruit and vegetables, and also give advice on how to get started with an allotment.

The event also features fresh cream teas and refreshments. Car parking nearby is being kindly provided by Beverley Grammar School. There is an entry fee of £2.50 for adults, and there is no fee for children to visit the allotments, but they must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Dogs on leads are also welcome.

Entry fees will help to raise money for the NGS charities, which include Macmillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Growing interest in the event (which is being held for the third successive year) has uniquely come from local artists who are part of East Riding Artists (ERA).  Seven artists, three of whom are from Beverley, will be at the Open Day, capturing the scene on canvas and in sketches. The artists taking part are Val Mager, Ingrid Barton, Daphne Hicks, John Geekie, Norah Thorp, Pat Davison and Susan Beaulah.

ERA is an artist-led organisation which supports and encourages visual artists living and working in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It operates a programme of events, opportunities and networking to raise the profile of artists and makers, and bring the visual arts to a wider audience. For more information, visit www.east-riding-artists.org.

Queensway Allotment Representative, Lance Wardell, explained more about the Open Allotments Day: “It’s that time of year when we throw open the gates to Queensgate and Kitchen Lane Allotments and invite the general public to come and see what is involved in renting a plot and also pick up a few tips about vegetable and flower growing.

“An added feature this year will be the new community garden which Beverley Town Council created on a vacant plot on the Queensgate allotment site. If anyone would like to help to clear the site, it would be greatly appreciated. This plot will also house the new Beverley and District Allotment and Gardens Association Shop, which will be moving from its present home on the railway station. Exciting times lie ahead, so come along and enjoy the day.”

Helen Watson, Town Clerk, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this event for the third year, as a continuation of our ‘From Field to Table’ local food project. 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 500 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.”