who are the future allotment holders?

who are the future allotment holders?

This article interested me showing as it does a move towards making allotments much more a community resource for the future. Somerseet Community Food's survey of growing spaces which we are recording at http://www.foodmapper.org.uk/ is a first step to seeing how the allotments in Somerset measure up to the aspirations mentioned below.   Top International Allotment Study Session Hosted by U K National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardens (NSALG) Birmingham 26-28th August 2010   Delegates from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK, were welcomed to the Copthorne Hotel Birmingham by Chairman of NSALG - Allan Rees and National Secretary - Donna Mc Daid.   The event programme was set out by the Office International du Coin de Terre et des Jardins Familiaux. Over the two days the delegates discussed the similarities and the differences in the varying countries. France and Belgium appear to have allotments similar to the UK, allowing small tool sheds and utilise the land mainly for the growing of edible crops. Other countries have some of this type, but also have plots which have space for ‘cottages’ with good facilities, connected to mains utilities. Allotmenteers may stay over night or indeed for the growing season.   Study sessions discussed – who are the future allotment holders?’ ‘the facilities and layout of allotments to accommodate the changing face of allotmenteers. It was encouraging to discover that there was agreement that the future allotments will encompass all sections of society and build on what is already happening in many countries, creating allotments as community resources.   The layout facilities need to integrate the whole of society, which will include toilets, community buildings, wheelchair access, raised beds, educational facilities, modern technology in provision of power and water, as well as integrating wildlife. It was felt that all of this could be achieved while moving more and more towards sustainability ensuring a robust and integrated allotment community, serving as a beacon for society as a whole. Where else will you find people of every ethnic minority: professional and manual workers, unemployed, disadvantaged of all ages and creeds, working together for the community in which they live?   The President of the International Allotments Federation, Mr Preben Jacobsen; said at the conclusion of the meeting, “This has been one of the most enlightening meetings we have ever had. International relationships that have been forged and can only serve to improve and widen the service that allotments can provide for all in the future. We shall continue in all countries to protect, promote, preserve and improve allotments for now and for future generations.”   Delegates visited 'Garden Organic', we were hampered by the weather, but we enjoyed the experience nevertheless.    Kings Seeds gave us a generous donation for the event, we would like to thank them for this kind gift.    The xxxvi International Allotment Gardeners Congress with be held in Copenhagen on 18-21 August 2011.