‘Grow your own’ computer benefiting Studley allotment holders
People in Studley are getting even more help with becoming ‘green’! It’s thanks to the donation of a recycled computer to a local Allotments Association that provides support to people who enjoy allotment gardening and the healthy lifestyle that goes with it.
Studley Allotments Association is one of twenty community and voluntary organisations in Stratford-on-Avon district to benefit from Warwickshire County Council’s ‘great computer giveaway’.
County Councillor Mrs Helen McCarthy formally presented the free computer to members of the Allotments Association at Studley Village Hall, where allotment holders sell some of their produce to other local residents every fortnight on a Monday.
Studley Allotments Association has around 120 plots on two sites, at Station Road and Redditch Road. The association’s twelve committee members and two plot secretaries provide support to anyone in Studley who wants to pursue allotment gardening, promoting exercise and diet as well as a sense of community spirit and well-being.
Warwickshire County Council’s Stratford-on-Avon Area Committee had the tough task of deciding which community and voluntary organisations in the district should benefit from the free computers.
The computer is being well used by the association to produce notices, newsletters, reports and numerous other documents that help them run the two plot sites.
It is also helping them to apply for grants, has given the association internet access so they can order seeds and plants online, and is enabling them to keep records of plot allocation and the movement of tenants.
The association’s long-term wish is to provide plots for members of the community with special needs and also to offer plots to the local school.
Councillor Mrs Helen McCarthy said: “It’s very satisfying to be able to give one of the county council’s recycled computers to a group like Studley Allotments Association, and I’m delighted that it is being put to such good use.
“Allotment gardening is a splendidly useful hobby and a wonderful community activity as well as having all sorts of health benefits from all that fresh air and, of course, from food you have grown yourself!"