Growing community success story
Lytes Cary Manor in Somerset create 40 new allotments at the entrance to the property grounds. Lytes Cary allotments site in Somerset has helped to bring a local community together, reconnected them with the land and given them a sense of involvement and ownership of Lytes Cary Manor, helping to develop this historic National Trust property as a multi-functional community resource.
Learning together
A huge range of community events take place through the year to help people learn new skills, get to know each other and have fun. Jo Wragg, Allotments Association Treasurer, said “Learning about growing is an on-going process. You can have a look around at other people’s plots and get new ideas. It’s a very social experience – very much dig for five minutes and talk for ten!” Specific workshops take place through the spring and summer on topics from water conservation to practical cookery.
A scarecrow competition taking place over the summer will be judged by Lytes Cary visitors. A hedgerow harvesting event and even a hogroast are also planned and a regular newsletter keeps everyone up to date with what’s happening. On show The 40 allotments are located prominently next to the main entrance to Lytes Cary which has many advantages. They are open all the time for visitors to explore and learn as well as plotholders – and as an added bonus there are now 40 extra pairs of eyes keeping a watch on the Lytes Cary grounds.
Connecting communities
This project has linked together hundreds of local people from all social backgrounds from neighbouring villages. 35 of the 40 plots are let to the local people with 5 set aside for community groups. A group of young people from Swanmead Secondary School have really taken ownership of the project at Lytes Cary. Simon Larkins, the Head Gardener at Lytes Cary said “This group are not academic and initially it was difficult to get them interested. Now, a few months into the project they work well on the garden. After work they clean their tools, tidy up and leave their overalls by the washing machine, and even have a cup of tea ready for me when I come in! For 90% of the kids on the project this is their first ever experience of growing anything. They love it.” Changing perceptions Many people, including Treasurer Jo Wragg were not aware that the Trust were involved in allotments. Jo said “I commuted past Lytes Cary every day for two and a half years and I’d never been in. It feels far more accessible to me now because I’ve got a part in it. Since Pete and I have been involved in the allotments project my parents bought us joint National Trust membership for Christmas”. This project has received funding through the ‘Eat into Green Living’ project funded by Defra, as well as the Big Lottery Fund and South Somerset District Council.
