More land sharing…
Continuing with the subject of land sharing, I had a comment (thanks Kate) suggesting a community garden in Nuttall Park. It’s interesting how once you start looking you notice just how many patches of unused ground there are.
Allotments are like gold dust at the moment; some councils seem to be more militant about neglected-looking plots than others. I know people who’ve been thrown out because they haven’t kept entirely on top of things, yet there are plenty of allotments which appear to be disused altogether.
Kate mentioned Todmorden, where local residents are very keen to grow their own. I read somewhere about their aim to become self-sufficient in vegetables, and how they have comandeered bits of land all over the place for cultivation. Talking of West Yorkshire, they seem to be very progressive in these things. Although I’d class Rammy as more of a working town than the touristy Hebden Bridge, we share similarities in that there is a definite interest in ‘green’ issues and shopping local. On a recent visit I was informed that they are trying to go plastic bag free – another idea worth considering. Anyone who’s walked down by the river between Irwell Vale and Ewood Bridge will have noticed the trees festooned with carrier bags. Not a pretty sight.
Anyway, I digress. If anyone knows of any spare land ripe for cultivation, it might be worth mentioning it here on the website. Last week I wrote a note to the secretary of a local church as I’d spotted a disused patch of land. It turns out it used to be the bowling green and was sold many years ago to the house next door; this was so the owner could prevent any future houses being built there. So I now have a name and number to contact. Maybe something will come of it, maybe not.
If you spot somewhere promising, make enquiries. Land surrounding a railway or businesses is a good bet. There are plenty of disused mills and the like nearby. Of course, the dreaded Health and Safety will no doubt rear its meddlesome head but that’s life. And if anyone has any ideas on securing potential plots feel free to comment.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
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Well done getting the details on at least one patch of land. I’ll keep my eyes peeled…
September 10th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
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Brilliant idea. I put my name down for an allotment and apparently there is at least a five year waiting list. I was planning on hanging around to see who isn’t managing theirs and offer to take half a plot. Also, apparently, rich in land, there is a church scheme where they allow their disused land to be used for growing stuffs. Some deets here http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/river-cottage/river-cottage-autumn/church-land_p_1.html
I am a friend of Nuttall Park so I will try and speak to the warden about the options.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
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Count me in too…. I have had my name down for one of the allotments on Peel brow for a lifetime…. dead mens shoes I think
September 11th, 2009 at 9:49 am
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YES PLEASE TO A PLASTIC BAG FREE RAMSBOTTOM!!!!!!!!!
September 11th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
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Dont know what everyone else thinks, but I think Rammy could do with more litter bins than what there are, at least then there might be a better chance of litter ending up in them instead of on the streets, I did say might mind you. Polystyrene trays are my bugbear.
September 13th, 2009 at 11:39 am
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Def need more bins… along the irwell footpaths too. So much platic etc ends up in the river
September 18th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
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Plastic Bag Free Rammy – that’d be great. Quite a few of the independents are really good on this already.
Also – if the person with the Ramsbottom bargain store is around…. Good for you with new business and everything, but please can you reconsider your sign? The plastic yellow shop front is not really up there with the rest of the conservation area and that’s really unfair to those traders who take such care (which benefits all of us that love the town). Please, please try again x It’s not plastic-fantastic. It’s just rubbish x
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
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There are a few overgrown allotments between lancaster avenue and the cemetery which look ripe for a bit of TLC.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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Last weekend I went to a conference at Todmorden on ‘Incredible Edible Todmorden’. It was really inspiring and what started as a bit of guerilla gardening has certainly grown and they expect to be self sufficient in food before 2018 – including meat,dairy fruit veg. They have a great website.
Next Wednesday 25 Nov at 7.00 there is a meeting at Haslingden library about Rossendale starting a Grow their Own campaign.
Would anybody be interested if we had a public meeting in Rammy?
By the way Lesley Kitchenson has been busy serving notices on allotment holders who aren’t looking after their plots. But there are still twice as many people waiting for plots than number of overall plots.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:51 pm
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Lynn, I’d come to a public meeting about this. I’d really like to get involved in something here like what they’ve done in Tod.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
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Thanks Kate
I think I’ll wait until after Christmas and see if we can get a cheap/free room. I’ve been in touch with someone called Julie at the council and think we’ve secured a garden bed in Nuttall Park.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
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Count me in too…
November 28th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
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That’s great, Sarah. Can we all start looking out for somewhere we can have a public meeting that is cheap or free?
November 28th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
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Kate and Sarah
If you want to meet up and you’re free I’m opening up Peel Tower for Friends of the Earth on 13th December 11.00 – 3.00.
Lynn
November 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
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OK, I’ll come and have a look… and say hello. There are a few places in Rammy which would probably be good for a meeting. I’ll make some enquiries and let you know what I come up with.
November 30th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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See you then, Sarah.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
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When walking along the path around the Whittingham Drive estate there are lots of plots of land that could be used as a community garden (with a bit of work). There is an area that clearly used to be a childrens playground that has not had any attention for years and another which is an overgrown football pitch. I think it would be worth speaking to the council about these areas as opportunities and it would greatly enhance the appearance of these areas.
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm
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Good idea Nick dont know if the council will listen but you never know
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:21 pm
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Great Lynn, I’ll stop in at the tower while you’re there for a chat.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
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If the areas that Nick mentions are those on either side of the cobbled path just before it drops into Summerseat – then I think you will find they are owned by Peel, who developed the estate. Their attitude would be more important than the Council’s.
January 11th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
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Didn’t Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall instigate a scheme whereby people who have land can make it available to people who don’t but who would like somewhere to grow stuff? I’m not a keen gardener myself (massive understatement) but if I were, this seems like something worth looking into. It also puts the power in the hands of the individuals who actually own the land, rather than just councils and large institutions.
January 12th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
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I’m holding a public meeting at Ramsbottom Library on 23rd February 6.30 -7.30 on growing food locally. We’ll need people with all sorts of ideas, skills and resources so if you’re interested come and put in your two pennyworth.
Lynn
January 13th, 2010 at 10:48 am
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Lynn,
I would be only too happy to attend the meeting on 23rd Feb and put a feature on the site.
Tom
Ramsbottom Online Editorial
editorial@ramsbottomonline.com
January 14th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
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A bad cold kept me away from the tower that day, but I will try to make this meeting in February. Sounds good.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
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Thanks Tom
January 25th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
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It will be good to meet you, Kate.