More than 330 people poured through the gates of Wellesbourne Allotments NGS (National Garden Scheme) Open Day, helping to raise record amounts for charity and in doing so, showing their support for a site threatened by development by the Diocese of Coventry.
Gate money goes to NGS charities. Other local charities and organisation will benefit from monies raised by plant sales and teas and cakes and other donations - bringing the totals donated by the Wellesbourne Allotment Association open days to more than £7000 since 2012.
Leamington Spa Mayor Cllr Heather Calver planted the first tree on the Allotment’s Dementia Friendly plot, and pledged her full support to save Wellesbourne Allotments from development.
The combined U3A Rock Choir from Stratford, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth and duo David and Carole Sampson from St Peter’s Church in Wellesbourne kept visitors entertained throughout the afternoon.
Activities for visitors included voting for the scariest scarecrow (won by Sharon Underhill’s scarecrow) and an allotment trail which proved popular.
Chair Ian Hope said: “ This was a fantastic day for the allotment community and for charities. We have been holding NGS Open Days and raising money for charity since 2012. The huge support shown by all those who attended is testament to how central the allotments are to our community.
“We would like to express a huge thank you to all those who attended and to the many local businesses who supported this event. We still have no written proposals from Coventry Diocese about plans that threaten our existence but plotholders remain determined that we should continue to grow on this site for generations to come.”
