AN ALLOTMENT in Reading welcomed local councillors for a social event last week.
Labour Cllrs for the Abbey Ward David Stevens and Mohammed Ayub attended for a community barbecue on Sunday, September 1.
Invited by members of the allotment for celebration of what has been achieved improving the the site and its cultivation in the last year.
It follows a visit to the site by Cllrs Mohammed Ayub and Karen Rowlands in September last year.
The site was described at the time as “underused and rather neglected, with much of it overrun with tall grass and weeds.”
While the allotment currently doesn’t have water access, the council has begun the process of introducing a water supply to the site, at the request of plot holders, and after the request was approved by the Reading Borough Council’s through it’s Policy Committee.
Paul, one of the people who manages a plot at the site, said: “It’s like an oasis down there.
“It’s hemmed in by the railway and where two roads meet at a right angle– most people don’t even know exists.”
He explained: “I retired two years ago, and it’s given me some structure to my week, especially during the spring and summer.
“I used to work in mental health, and horticulture and being in nature are known to be good for personal well being.
We have a great group of people down there who get along, so it can be very social.”
“People feel that allotments are just for older people, but ours has a couple of young families who bring their children– it is a beautiful resource for the local community.
“A big mention to Delroy and his helpers, who might be familiar to people who use the local Jubilee Park, for providing barbequed jerk chicken and rice and the music for everyone who attended.”
