Community allotment open day at Longford Park

Longford Park Community Allotment in Stretford has been going strong for 12 years, attracting green-fingered local people who garden together.

Visitors to the unique space next to the bowling club in the park will be invited to make a bug hotel or try out crown green bowling at the event from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

The afternoon, organised by Longford Park Community Allotment members with support from the Council, will include a plant sale, home-made cakes and cuppas and music from Stretford Uke.

Margaret ‘Mash’ Westbrook, founder of the allotment - pictured second right with fellow gardeners - said: 

“There are lots of allotments in Trafford where people have their individual plots but ours is the only one where people garden together. 

“We grow things like tomatoes, cucumbers and aubergines in our greenhouses and outdoors we have potatoes, onions, garlic, leeks and brassicas. There are about 15 of us core gardeners and we love to welcome newcomers.”

Anyone can drop in and get involved, all year round, on Mondays from 2pm to 4pm, Wednesdays 10am to 12pm, and Sundays 10am to 12pm. In summer there is a Thursday evening get-together from 6pm to 7.30pm. Margaret continued: 

“The black door to the allotment is usually open during these times – even when there is a little rain! We are happy to see experienced gardeners or those who are new to gardening. We all learn together. Children are always welcome but must be supervised.”

Another open day is planned for September or October, to celebrate harvest.
 

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: 

“The community allotment is a great place for local people to meet, enjoy the fresh air, develop gardening skills, make friends and of course benefit from the healthy food they have grown. It’s testament to the strong community spirit that Stretford has and we’re delighted to support it.”