Lost allotments brought back to life

The land in Longford Road, Bridgtown, Cannock, had been left untouched for a decade until a former allotment holder remembered its location. Even officers at Cannock Chase Council had forgotten about the site which had become overgrown with 12ft high brambles. Now volunteers eager to have their own plot have formed the Longford Road Allotment Association.

The site has 22 plots in total but four still remain untouched and further work will need to be carried out to bring them back into use.

An assortment of vegetables are already being grown by the enthusiastic new members and include dwarf beans, potatoes, lettuces and radishes. It is becoming a good outlet for the community with the Chase Day Service renting a plot along with a local school.

Councillor John Kraujalis, who has a plot on the allotment, said: "No-one knew about this land but an old allotment holder remembered that it used to be an allotment and thought it may be brought back into use.

"We contacted the council who did some investigations and admitted it was their land but they had forgotten about it.

"The council said it was prepared to let us rent the allotments at a discounted rent but wouldn't be prepared to clear it up themselves because it would cost too much money.

"Instead we got a group of volunteers together – many of whom have an interest in owning an allotment and they have helped to clean up the site. It is now ready for growing an assortment of vegetables.

"It is great news because there is a shortage of allotment space in the Cannock area so to discover allotment space which was simply forgotten about is just fantastic."

People interested in becoming a new member of the Longford Road Allotment Association and taking control of their own plot should ring Councillor Kraujalis on 01543 504601.