Town allotment produce scheme needs promoting say residents

A VOLUNTEER of Melksham’s Community Larder, Adrienne Westbrook, has called on the town council to ‘better’ promote the use of the allotments as a ‘wonderful source of produce’ that could help reduce food waste and feed residents in need.

At the full council meeting on Monday 26th February, Adrienne asked the town council to update the allotment tenancy so that surplus allotment produce can be donated to charitable causes or for a charitable purpose.

Town councillors agreed to this in 2022, but Adrienne says that two years on, and the amendment still does not appear in the tenancy terms and conditions and that some residents have expressed disappointment about this. She said, “It was quite a momentous thing to [pass]. I do think that we really can do better at making certain that the residents of Melksham are aware of some of the schemes that you have already actually agreed to.

“[In the agreement it says] the tenant must use the allotment as an allotment garden only and for no other purpose. The tenant must cultivate the allotment garden wholly and mainly for the production of fruit and vegetables, flowers for domestic consumption for themselves or their family. You can see quite clearly that number one, that is in contravention of your amendment that you put through in October 2022.

“One would have hoped that in 18 months, that would have been [added]. We live in a climate emergency, we live in a cost-of-living crisis, everybody knows how well the Larder does and I think it is rather sad that Melksham Town Council could have trumpeted a really positive action to help and support those who are struggling and also help with getting towards net zero. As a town council there is very little you can do to get to net zero, but there are so many little, small things.

“I can understand why some residents are a little but upset. I would like a promise that it will be looked at and it will be dealt with as quickly as possible.”

Also suggesting the allotment terms and conditions could be re-worded to be more ‘positive’, Adrienne said, “I understand you have to do this for legal reasons but you have got three pages of ‘you can’t do this and you can’t do that’ I have never read such a negative document on allotments. Please, is it possible to start thinking of the allotments as a wonderful source of produce for not just the Larder, there are other places as well.”

This follows another resident’s plea at a town council meeting in June last year, for the town council to provide ‘better’ support at the allotments, including more watering facilities to help in dry weather and wood chipping availability.

Melksham Town Council confirmed in February’s asset management and amenities meeting, two new water troughs have been purchased and will soon be installed once their locations have been identified.

Last month the cost of an allotment plot also officially increased after a 12-month notice period in accordance with the Allotment Act, from £40 to £50 for a full plot and £20 to £25 for a half plot, due to rising costs in water and fuel.