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 Volunteers
organised by Community
Service Volunteers, and supervised by allotment committee members brought
gardening for disabled gardeners much closer to a reality on the Hoxton Manor
allotment site. See photos from the morning here, and photos from the afternoon
here
         A team of
25 office workers from KPMG
Canary Wharf
worked enthusiastically to make improvements on the allotment site. They built
tall raised beds and filled them up with earth and compost so they are ready
for use by gardeners who are unable or can no longer manage gardening on the
traditional plot but don’t want to say give up growing their own food.
The
volunteers also weeded and levelled the paths on the plot ready for covering
with weed suppressing membrane. The plot
now just needs paving and a shed and compost bins to be ready for use.
Several of
the volunteers used their artistic skills to decorate the interior of the
community shed. The shed is used for
kids’ games and activities, open days and other events, for committee meetings,
or just for gardeners to sit and chat, and now it is brighter and more fun.
James Rigg,
the volunteers team leader, said:
“I'm
really happy that the day was as successful as we'd all hoped. We managed
to build 3 raised beds and paint the whole of the hut which was a fantastic
achievement, not to mention the team spirit shown by the whole group. From all
the positive feedback I've received, it is clear that everyone enjoyed the day."
One of our gardeners
will be the first to benefit. She had to give up her plot because she could no
longer a garden because a hip operation made bending difficult. She has missed
the allotment and is looking forward to coming back.
A generous
donation from KPMG combined with fundraising by the volunteers themselves paid
for the materials to get the work done on the day. And two of the team provided
a marvellous barbecue which gave everyone a boost after a hard morning’s work. 
Community
Service Volunteers organised the visit by the volunteers, and helped in
sourcing materials, checking the health and safety and other aspects of the
project, and made it happen. CSV bring together teams of employees in a wide
range of companies and organisations with community groups to get much-needed
work done.
Committee
members supervised and did preparatory work – Peter Aiano, Imogen Radford,
Peter Moore and Eric Als, and allotment gardeners helped on the day and lent
their tools and wheelbarrows, and gave the visitors some vegetables to take
away. The Forest Recycling Project helped with free recycled paint
and delivery of the scaffolding boards donated by local scaffolding firm,
Fourways Plant Ltd (020 8884 3339). We also had a first aid box available,
donated by Spartan Safety Limited. KPMG contributed as part of their commitment to supporting local communities.
Contact the
Forest
Recycling Project in Walthamstow: 020 8539 3856 Monday to Thursday
10-4, or
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for scaffolding boards for a small sum, free paint, and lots more.
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