What we funded and why

The society has identified a need to expand its existing mains water supply of four dipping troughs located around the circular access track, by adding four new galvanised dipping troughs. Each trough will require attaching to the water ring main, a concrete slab base and a new section of fencing.

In addition, members have asked for a new rainwater capture facility for our four new quarter-sized starter plots, which don't have enough space for individual capture facilities.

This project will provide improved access to allow plot holders to regularly water their plots, particularly during prolonged dry spells when the rainwater capture facilities are too low to be safely used.

Over the last two years the society has expanded the number of allotment plots from 48 to 60, by reducing the size of some plots to make them more accessible to people with limited mobility. This has allowed them to meet the extra demand developed during the pandemic. There is also now a significant number of disabled and infirm members, including an amputee, who struggle to reach the existing water sites due to the distance between troughs.

Allotment members have expressed a specific need for enhanced access to the water dipping toughs, reducing the distance between the existing network of four troughs, particularly for older members. This view was unanimous at the last AGM of the society and has been raised since by individual members who experience limited mobility. This project is a part of the allotment's long-term strategy to make the site and plots more accessible, so people of all abilities can access and benefit from the allotment.

The allotment is an important community resource because it's the only one within the village and surrounding area. The improvements proposed in Crick Allotment Society's application will greatly enhance the allotment site's value to the community, by ensuring that it can be enjoyed by people of all abilities and improving productivity and growing time.

 

What was Achieved

Local authority: Daventry

Ward: Barby & Kilsby

Area of benefit: Crick village

 

Foundation support

Funding programme: Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

Amount funded: £1,500

Date funded: November 2022

 

Demographics

Primary issue: accessibility

Primary beneficiaries: local residents

Primary age group: adults (26 - 65 years)

Number of beneficiaries: 60

 

Impact

Improved access to community infrastructure and resources
Number of people using community facilities	60

 

Improved or expanded local environment and/or public space
Number of people reporting that community facilities were improved	35
Number of new community facilities created	5

 

Improved physical health & wellbeing
Number of people participating in sport, exercise & leisure activities	60
Number of people for whom te treatment/programme was successful or likely to be successful	12
Number of people reporting improved physical health or wellbeing	8

 

Story of change

This grant has made a significant difference to the Crick Allotment plot holders as the primary beneficiaries, but also to their families, many of whom benefit from the opportunity to work on and enjoy their family member's plots, and also from the produce.

The grant has made a significant difference to those with limited mobility and our more elderly plot holders, many of whom have already reported how much easier it is to manage watering themselves. Several have commented that they had actively considered giving up their plots this year due to the limited rainfall issues in 2022, but will not be doing so now.

There is consistent feedback that this should have a positive benefit on what they can grow and general crop success.

The additional accessible facilities created by the grant will continue to benefit the allotment and wider community for many years to come and will hopefully encourage more to join who might otherwise have been put off by the difficulty in accessing the water supply.

One of the four starter garden plot holders is a permanent resident on Crick Marina, so has no access to a garden of her own. She was someone who nearly gave up her plot last year when we experienced many weeks with limited rainfall. Below is a copy of a recent email from her:

"I'm so pleased that the additional new water trough is nearer my plot, as my neighbours and I were berating the fact that we had so far to carry our watering cans. It made watering a fearsome task which personally I fell short on and much of my earlier efforts on the plot failed. I had intended to give up my plot because of this but now I am very happy to continue!

Your news of a rain water capture facility is also quite exciting! I'm keen to get the best crop and rainwater is of course much better for them. Using less 'tap' water is going to save the allotment money and is environmentally sound - win win!!

I should also add that at 72, although not that old these days (!), I am trying to keep myself fit and healthy, so continuing to work and enjoy my plot is all part of the plan."

As we reported during the most welcome site visit, we have found the whole process of application and final reporting very efficient and user-friendly. The level of communication from the team at the Foundation has been prompt and very helpful, especially as it has been our first experience of the fund. Allotment plot holders have been pleased to hear that the work was funded by a local trust and the feedback has been 100% positive. As committee members we are pleased and gratified that our work to expand our facility and make the allotments more accessible has been recognised and supported by the Foundation, particularly as there are local grant assessors involved in selection. It feels as if there is now a wider community awareness of our work and that bodes well for the future of our site and society.