Dobson Lane Allotments
Plots are available
Promoting the production and consumption of seasonal, local and organic food.
Request an allotment: To apply to join the waiting list for an allotment (residents of Whitnash and South Leamington will be prioritised) complete the application form and return to the DLCAA Site Officer: Brian Linehan 19 Justice Close, Whitnash, CV31 2TF or email it to linehan@ntlworld.com.
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Hidden away at the end of residential road Dobson Lane in Whitnash are the verdant and vibrant community allotments of the Dobson Lane Community Allotment Association. But as recently as Summer 2009 this site was scrubland dominated by brambles, nettles and chest high grass, there were no clues that up until twenty years ago there had been allotments here. Action 21 worked with Whitnash Town council with the aim of giving Whitnash Town back their allotments.
Action 21 secured the lease on the Dobson Lane site with the aim of promoting the production and consumption of seasonal, local and organic food.
In July 2009 we employed project Manager Louise Male to turn this wasteland back into allotments for the community
A huge volunteer force made the project possible. Initially local residents and Action 21 volunteers cleared large areas of brambles and litter to make way for local farmer John Ingall to clear the ground with his tractor and topper, followed by Canalside Community Food’s Tom Ingall with tractor and plough turning the soil for the first time in two decades.
Jaguar Land Rover’s purchasing department gave two days of their time to lay a patio area and make attractive hazel fence panels. They used wood, coppiced from the land, to fence around the communal garden area that is now the Nature Nurture Garden. Carillion PLC prepared the ground with their digger, laying some foundation stone and supplying materials that were diverted from landfill.
Barclays Bank gave a donation and 30 employees for a day. They laid three brick paths and slabs for benches. Warwick District Council offered us the planters from outside the Spa Centre and Glendale Grounds Management Ltd transported them. Barclays Bank employees put these into place, giving them a new lease of life and transforming the patio area. The communal Nature Nurture Garden was then planted with wildlife friendly plants.
Jaguar Land Rover returned for a further work party to kick start work on the Action for Health, a raised bed area for people with mobility problems run by volunteers based out of Brunswick Healthy Living Centre. Work has now started on a disabled access compost toilet on site.
Action 21 are indebted to the hard work of so many individuals and organizations without whom the project would have been impossible.
Dobson Lane Community Allotment Association had its inaugural AGM was held on March 24th 2010 and a committee was elected. The first allotmenteers moved on in Spring 2010.
In addition to the 48 allotments there is:
- Action for Health a high raised bed area for people with mobility issues
- A disabled access compost toilet – UNDER CONSTRUCTION
- "Nurture Nature" - a wildlife friendly garden and social area
- A woodland area and nature reserve that is used for educational activities and Forest School activities. Forest School sessions have been running in the woodland area at Dobson Lane Community Allotments since Autumn 2010. Sessions run on Sunday afternoons and are available for children aged 5-8 and 8-11. These sessions are all about enjoying the great outdoors and learning about the natural environment, having fun and finding out about the world. If you have children who would be interested, please contact the qualified Forest School Teacher, Keir Mitchell on 07813 934597. Little Willows pre school also use the woodland for Forest School sessions.
See a PDF plan of the allotment or Nurture Nature area.
How can you get involved?
Volunteer! We would love more volunteers to help with the Action for Health garden. To volunteer please email volunteering@brunswickhlc.org.uk
Request an allotment: To apply to join the waiting list for an allotment (residents of Whitnash and South Leamington will be prioritised) complete the application form and return to the DLCAA Site Officer: Brian Linehan 19 Justice Close, Whitnash, CV31 2TF or email it to linehan@ntlworld.com.