County Councillor Michael Poulter, County Councillor Maureen Compton, County Councillor Jack Barber, County Councillor Robert Simpson and Derek Hill, Chairman of the Coton Fields Allotments Association (sat on motor mower).

Grant gives mower power to allotment holders

Green fingered Stafford residents have been given a helping hand in maintaining their allotments site with funding to buy a motor mower.

Stafford County Councillors Robert Simpson, Maureen Compton, Michael Poulter and Jack Barber provided Coton Fields Allotments Association with £4,000 through the Local Member Initiative Scheme (LMIS).

The money has been used to pay for a new motor mower, meaning the association can easily maintain the grassed areas on the 23-acre site off Prospect Road.

County Councillor Maureen Compton said: "We were pleased to be able to help the Coton Fields Allotments Association through our Local Member Initiative Scheme funding because it does such a good job in running and maintaining the site."

Derek Hill, Chairman of the Coton Fields Allotments Association said: "Without the support from our county councillors these allotments would have been lost.

"This is the fourth year we have received funding through the Local Members Initiative Scheme. Five years ago we were struggling to manage the site - it was over 40% derelict and there were 10-foot high brambles by the perimeter fence.

"Now the site is flourishing and we have 135 allotment holders. This latest grant has enabled us to buy the sit-on motor mower, meaning we can cut the grass in half the time and can concentrate on other jobs around the site."

Increased interest in horticulture means the site has gained in popularity over the last few years and is now 99% full.

County Councillor Michael Poulter added: "The Coton Fields allotments site is not only a valuable area of green space within the town - it also provides residents with a place to grow their own fruit, vegetables and other plants."

County Councillor Robert Simpson said: "More and more people are turning towards home grown food; not only for its health benefits but also because it's cheaper."

And County Councillor Jack Barber added: "It's great to see a traditional pastime as relevant today as it has been for generations and we're glad to be able to contribute towards the maintenance of this site for the allotment holders."

The LMIS is a Staffordshire County Council initiative to give councillors the opportunity to spend up to £10,000 to support projects that contribute to local community spirit and services.

More information on the LMIS scheme is available at /yourcouncil/members/lmis/

Page Last Modified: 28/07/2008 12:32:45

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