Allotments 4 All

We've had some good news - our application for a lottery grant was successful and we have been given £4768 for a 20ft x 8ft greenhouse, including all accessories and erection.

We are getting it from www.greenhousesdirect.co.uk and hopefully it will be up and running in time for growing plants for our Plant Sale on May 13th.

Part of it will be set aside for plot holders to use, which should be fun!

Lucky you!  Well done - did it take a long time to sort it all out?

Quote from: BarriedaleNick on February 20, 2012, 07:20:14
Lucky you!  Well done - did it take a long time to sort it all out?

It wasn't too bad but we were very lucky in that our chairman's wife had already gone through the grant process for something else she is involved with. 

I really didn't expect that we would get it so it was a lovely surprise.  :D

Super news, what a lot of use and pleasure it will bring  :) I'm looking forward to the pictures.

Its great news isn't it Betty.Hope its up and working soon and then our GH wont be bursting at the seams like it was last year ;D. Well done Betty

Congratulatios, great news !

Brilliant addition to your lovely site, well done Betty and to all involved!

Well done.
    June.

Well done, they take time but it's well worth the effort  :)

Sounds good! I'm sure you'll make good use of it. Congratulations to all concerned!

So which bit of the lottery fund did it come from? I thought they had stopped giving grants at the moment, or has this been in the pipeline for ages? (I haven't been on A4A very much recently, as other things have taken over my time, so I've probably missed something!)

We've got a couple of projects we're looking at that need funding. We could do with pointing in the right direction.

Trevor, we applied to the Big Lottery Fund  http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ and it was quite straightforward really.  I first had the idea last April but for various reasons didn't start the process until last October/November.

Congratulations!
Fantastic news. You must be chuffed to little mint balls!  ;D

Great news Betty and all involved, just make sure Shirl doesn't hog it.   :-X     ::)      ;)

Thats smashing news, what was the garnt asked for? Can you give us a rough guide why you needed one etc etc..It might help others.

A grant is something our allotment was thinking about...eventually.

Steve...:)

Brilliant news Betty, very well done.

You hog it Shirl  :)

He's a cheeky sod ;D

That's good news indeed - a moggie shelter palace  :P

It was the Big Lottery that funded our composting toilet the year before last. Now enough time has elapsed, we can apply again. Mind you, if you applied last October/November, you probably got in with an award scheme that's now closed. Still, it might be worth trawling around!

We want ours for drainage and a community building. Any ideas?

Mind you, now I've heard about your greenhouse....

Quote from: Steve. on February 20, 2012, 16:45:24
Thats smashing news, what was the garnt asked for? Can you give us a rough guide why you needed one etc etc..It might help others.

A grant is something our allotment was thinking about...eventually.

Steve...:)

One of the questions they ask is -

Why is your project needed?
We put:-

A  large  greenhouse would enable any plot holder to grow their own plants.

We have over 14 different nationalities at our allotments, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds where the cost of buying a greenhouse for their own individual use would be prohibitive. It would enable them to grow from seed which again would benefit those who experience financial hardship. We have members who live in flats or accommodation without outdoor space. A communal greenhouse would give people the opportunity to work together and learn from each other. More experienced gardeners would be able to show newcomers how to raise seeds and take cuttings.

A community greenhouse would be beneficial to people who cannot afford to buy one of their own, to those who do not have the space on their plot to erect
one and to those who are unable to visit the site every day to water.

It would enable people to pursue their hobby whatever the weather.

For another question we ticked the following boxes:-

People have better chances in life – with better access to training and
development to improve their life skills.
Stronger communities – with more active citizens working together to
tackle their problems.
Improved rural and urban environments – which communities are better
able to access and enjoy.
Healthier and more active people and communities.

Tell us in your own words how your project will meet each of the
programme outcomes you have ticked.
Our answers:-

A management committee will be formed from plot holders to help with the running of the greenhouse. Experienced gardeners will share their skills and help others.

We are a multi-cultural site so the different nationalities will be able to learn from each other. New members will get to know other plot-holders quickly.

Those who grow organically will share methods.  A seed-sharing scheme will be arranged.  Heritage varieties will be sourced and shared among plot holders. Workshops will be arranged covering seed sowing, taking cuttings etc.

Year-round availability will enable a wider range of vegetables to be grown regardless of the weather enabling plot-holders to garden continuously. 

People in wheelchairs will find it easier to take part in gardening.

Having a communal greenhouse will achieve the outcomes ticked by providing training for new gardeners and improving the community spirit of the allotments.  Older gardeners will also learn about vegetables from other countries.
"Growing your own" is the healthiest way of living, providing quality food and healthy exercise for people.
The communal greenhouse will give plot holders more opportunities and encouragement to do this.

Obviously our situation in multi-cultural Birmingham is not going to be the same all over the country but our answers might give you some ideas.

Aw thats brilliant news!! Congratulations and happy growing ;D ;D ;D