Pitstone Parish Council leased a plot of land along Marsworth Road from the National Trust, to provide a new allotment site for the residents of Pitstone. The site was originally part of Pitstone Green Farm prior to being bequeathed to National Trust by the Hawkins family.
The old arable field was transformed into a thriving allotment site with 69 quarter sized plots, all of which are fully rented, and there is a waiting list too, such is popularity of “growing your own”. Pitstone Allotment Association operates the site on a day-to-day basis and many of their members helped to plant the boundary hedgerow (the hedging & trees being part funded by Aylesbury Vale District Council and part funded by a local donation) during the creation of the new facility. The project received funding from a number of sources, including the Community Chest who funded the installation of three self-regulating water troughs and connection to the Anglian Water mains supply, which has provided a vital source of water during the summer months. The remainder of the costs were borne by the parish council.
A grand opening event was held on 4th September 2010 to celebrate the creation of the new facility and provided an opportunity for the community to visit the site and see first-hand how amazing the plots looked under cultivation. Members of the allotment association were on hand to answer queries from anyone interested in renting a plot to grow their own produce. There was also a BBQ, bar, scarecrow competition, Brookmead School choir, best plot competition, produce and plant sales plus lots of fun activities for the children. The site was officially opened by John Bly of the Antiques Roadshow.
Quote from Councillor Robert Saintey, Chairman of Pitstone Parish Council: “The parish council is delighted to be able to offer allotments to the residents of Pitstone once again. It is such a pleasure to see so many families growing their own produce, enjoying the amazing views across the countryside and making new friends in the process.”
Quote from Mary Tebje, then Chair of the Pitstone Allotment Association: “We have been waiting for this allotment site for a long time and it is a very welcome addition to the facilities within the village”.
Quote from Graeme Cannon, Property Manager of the National Trust’s Ashridge Estate: “The leasing of this part of Pitstone Green Farm to the Parish Council, to be used as allotments, has not only enabled us to fulfil the bequest of the late Mr Jeff Hawkins but has also enabled people from the local community in Pitstone to grow their own fruit and vegetables in this wonderful setting. These kinds of initiatives offer immeasurable benefits to communities across a whole host of areas – from good health, to helping minimise our impact on the environment, to simply bringing people together.”
As you can tell from the above comments, the allotments have been well received in the village, and are a hive of activity throughout the growing months, with tenants exchanging seedlings and sometimes crops if they are overwhelmed by the abundance of their produce.
From time to time, the Association has a produce stall by the gate of the allotments, and these have proved to be highly popular. Sadly in 2012, the season was so bad it was not possible to do this. Hopefully we will be able to sell produce again in the future. Check this website for information about this and other events.
It should also be noted that the tireless efforts during the two years before the site opened,of the Parish Clerk Laurie Eagling, and Nikki Mattey, our PAA Secretary at the time, should not go unmentioned. Grateful thanks to both these ladies, from the PAA and Pitstone Parish Council.
- For further information about renting a plot, please contact Marjory Rankin, Secretary to Pitstone Allotment Association on pitstoneallotmentassociation@hotmail.co.uk or complete and email the application form, which can be found elsewhere on this website.