Allotments, Rockingham Estate Gardening Club

Hi there. We're looking to set up an Allotment/Gardening Club Scheme on the Rockingham Estate for residents. We have received funding from the council and I wondered if anyone was on here from the Rockingham Estate and if they wanted to get involved?

We have raised beds as allotments at Styles, and they are really popular. It's been very effective in getting people together, who wouldn't otherwise ever talk. I hope your allotments are as succesful as ours have been.

We hope so too! Any advice or problems you've faced in the organising or setting up?

dronid - I guess you already know about what the Tabard Gardens folks have done, but if not, it might be worth contacting them to swap ideas/advice:

http://www.tabardgardens.org/allotment/

Thanks James, yes I'm already in contact and they've given great advice. Now I need to get the residents involved - going to do a maildrop and hopefully get something in Southwark Life. All advice gratefully accepted!

Excellent news, i have seen and know people who have been planting vegetables in the rockingham on the back green lawn. I myself will be interested in one.

It will be very popular, please give more info.

Well done for securing the funding.

James, I loved to see the children all enjoying themselves on the Tabard allotment site, it just proves kids always enjoy being out in the open and playing with soil,shovels and being part of the community like that is bound to help them develop good social skills, and they can eat after!

I live in Albert Barnes. Are we eligible to join in your scheme? It's a brilliant idea.

It's good to hear it's wanted!

It is planned for the Rockingham Estate at the moment but it's something we can request to be expanded. If there is space unallocated we'd be happy to have you LilaSE1. In addition there's funding for a 'meadow' at the church hall opposite and there is green space next to your block that hopefully won't be built all over. Do you have your own Residents Association?

Ideally I want to see the unaccessed green space all over the estates to be put in the hands of residents - for growing food or other purposes - currently a lot of the space is just used for people to take their dogs to do what comes naturally and while there should be some space set aside for that, I think we can do more!

Yes we have a TRA, which I am secretary of. We've put in a Cleaner Greener Safer applic for the remaining green space at the side of the block, hoping to turn it into some kind of community garden.

Where are you planning to have your allotments? Do you know where the funding came from for the planned meadow?