Community allotment flourishes as volunteers transform Scorton growing project

A dedicated team of volunteers has transformed a community allotment near Garstang into a thriving food-growing project just months after taking over the site.

The Plot, based at Old Holly Farm in Scorton, has gone from an overgrown space to a productive allotment since volunteers took over its management in April. Despite this summer's heatwave, the group has successfully grown a wide range of vegetables thanks to the commitment of volunteers who have spent countless hours planting, watering and maintaining the site.

Volunteer Cath Richardson said the project has made remarkable progress in a short space of time.

"It's very much a work in progress," she said. "We've dug seven beds and planted them up with vegetables, potatoes, beans, leeks, cabbage, courgettes – all sorts of things. Phase two is now starting as we've built some raised beds and will be filling them with more vegetables."

The project has received valuable support from Annie Wynn of Let's Grow Preston, who has provided advice, training, planning assistance, seeds and seedlings.

Cath said: "Having Annie support us has been a game changer. She gives us free seeds and some seedlings. We grow the crops and all the volunteers get a share of the harvest, and any surplus goes back to Annie and is distributed to food banks.

"She's been absolutely wonderful. She has so much experience and we couldn't have done this without her."

The Plot also includes a second adjoining field, where volunteers have planted blackcurrants, whitecurrants, redcurrants and raspberries. The long-term ambition is to create a community garden complete with fruit trees including apples, pears and plums.

The group is now looking to recruit more volunteers and is inviting local residents to an open day to showcase the project and its future plans.

Cath said: "We are a very friendly group and have six regular volunteers, but we are hoping to attract more. You don't need any gardening experience – just come along, have a look around and hear about our future plans."

The open day will take place on Sunday, 2 August, from 9.30am to 1.30pm at The Plot, Old Holly Farm, Scorton, Preston PR3 1AA.

Anyone interested in volunteering or finding out more is welcome to attend. For further information, email [email protected]