Mini-Allotments Offered to Local Charity

William Hobbayne Centre in Hanwell to benefit

British Waterways has given over 2,000 square metres of land alongside the Grand Union Canal to Hanwell group, The Charity of William Hobbayne, as part of an initiative to encourage first-time allotment holders.

The land will host 18 ‘baby-grow' starter plots and has been gifted on a lease as part of British Waterways' commitment to tackling the shortage of available growing spaces.

British Waterways' Environment Manager, Leela O'Dea says:

"These new growing spaces are smaller versions of the traditional allotment plot. Given the shortage of allotments in London, and the sometimes daunting size of traditional allotments for busy and first-time allotment holders, these starter spaces are an ideal way to maximise the number of people who can have a go at growing their own.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said:

"It is fantastic that British Waterways are adding more canal side plots to our Capital Growth scheme to help local people to grow their own fresh food. Not only will the area soon be bursting with all manner of edible goodies, it will help to make the waterway even more attractive for local people to enjoy."

Over the next month British Waterways and the Charity of William Hobbayne will be helped by a number of corporate volunteer groups to get the site cleared and prepared for the new growers.

Volunteers from construction company Bovis Lend Lease will be joining the charity and British Waterways over the next two days to start the preparation works as part of the company's annual Community Day, an initiative for employees to give something back to the communities in which they live and work.